"I also get along well with Jonas Vingegaard" - Remco Evenepoel insists Tour de France drama was overblown after "lack of balls" comment
CyclingWednesday, 17 July 2024 at 00:57
So far, Remco Evenepoel has passed almost every test on his Tour de France debut. Two weeks and 15 stages down, the Soudal - Quick-Step leader reaches the second rest day sitting third overall and with a comfortable 5:45 lead over his nearest challengers for the final podium position.
"Last week the Pyrenees were coming, such a first mountain weekend is decisive. At the moment I am in a good position for that third place, so I would be lying if I said that I am not going to defend it," says the Belgian, who entered his Tour de France debut very vocal about his targeting of a top-5 in the general classification, in his rest day press conference.
Whilst there have been blows for Evenepoel in the second week, such as the recent abandonment of key mountain domestique Louis Vervaeke, the Soudal - Quick-Step leader and his right hand man, Mikel Landa looked the best of the rest in Pyrenees behind Tadej Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard and as such, the duo sit 3rd and 5th in the general classification heading into the final week of racing.
"Louis had Covid with us, like me last year and several others have dropped out of the race. Our staff tests daily and everyone is negative for the time being. We also isolated Louis as quickly as possible. At the finish, the men also wear a face mask, because that is where the largest crowd is," Evenepoel says of Vervaeke's departure through illness.
The post-stage interviews of Evenepoel have also been a big talking point, with the Belgian questioning Jonas Vingegaard's lack of balls. According to the time-trial world champion however, the whole drama has been overblown. "I also get along well with Vingegaard," he insists. "Maybe I'm even a little bit more of a contemporary of Pogacar but they're nice guys to talk to during the stage."
With a podium place likely secured, does Evenepoel go on the attack to try and move up in the final week, or will he be content with 3rd place, especially knowing that stage 21 this year is an individual time-trial? "I know almost the entire last week. I've done several stages 2 or 3 times and that gives a certain peace. We know what to expect and I call very motivated. I'm also looking forward to the time trial. That's not really a time trial in my opinion, more of a mountain stage," he assesses. "If I can win another stage I will definitely try, but if I don't succeed I will also be very happy with a podium finish in Nice."
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- The good thing about being young is that you recover faster than older people after a good night sleep and in the interview he said he had the best sleep after a rough day yesterday.
KerisVroom28-05-2025 - I don't know where you are referring to "points," given that I was looking at wins in different categories (overall, monuments, world tour) and trying to make different comparisons to illustrate my point. Could you clarify?RidesHills28-05-2025
- His contract is until 2028. Isaac's contract is until 2029 and will be revised if he can keep the GC podium. Like it or not, it will be very hard for other team to secure Juan Ayuso's service before the end of the contract because UAE has money and won't let go of him that easily.KerisVroom28-05-2025
- In a team where Pogi is present, the others would be helpers was already known. Yet Ayuso, Almeida, Adam all signed up due to money. Now they cannot demand anything over Pogi. Leftovers is the best that they can get.abstractengineer28-05-2025
- How long does Ayuso have left at UAE? That might open up a slot unless Del Toro takes it.Renz28-05-2025
- That’s a rather large number of bonus seconds he earnt, is it from the 2 weeks or just today?Mistermaumau28-05-2025
- When ever will he learn, always has a excuse.
Senna196028-05-2025 - Yeah, the way Del Toro took those downhill corners with his body lowered when he was with Carapaz reminds of me Pidcock's daredevil descend at the Tour.KerisVroom28-05-2025
- He looked like Pogi today. Even did the Hulk celebration haha!
ScottG28-05-2025 - Pidcock is not a factor in any Grand Tour. Never will be.ScottG28-05-2025
Maybe he should grow a pair and admit he was wrong.
A tour with 3 solid TTs would provide an especially competitive and suspenseful TDF.
Hope the organizers give us such a course in the next couple years.
Remco seems to be maturing nicely, but he's clearly got a ways to go and some things to work on.
Remco has the sort of rizz that jonas' will probably never have, ofc he'll be more popular and loved all over the world. Hope he raises his level and get to the tour next year where he can hold pogs wheel in the mountains. It'll be a showdown specially with his itt supremacy!
Yeah that’d be a show alright! Pog Vs Remco++
He’s still younger than pog so he has more potential for growth. Should be a good one if he pulls it off already in the next tour itself!
When he first started racing Remco referred to himself as the GOAT...not arrogant at all!
Just call your rivals "without balls" and then when he soundly beats you, call it overblown
Exactly. Would have voted for your comment 10x.
Remco is sounding more human; glad to hear it!
says AI