"I can only promise one thing: I'll be back" - Defiant Remco Evenepoel sends message ahead of 2025 season

Remco Evenepoel is set to continue on in 2025 as Soudal - Quick-Step's leading light. After a horror crash during a training ride in early December though, the double Olympic champion was a notable absentee from the team's official presentation ahead of the 2025 season.

Evenepoel disastrously crashed into the opening door of a BPost van whilst riding in his homeland of Belgium in early December, being left with numerous injuries including broken bones and a dislocated collarbone that required surgery. The Belgian still isn't yet back on the bike, but via a video call, Evenepoel sent a message of defiance to teammates and rivals alike at Soudal - Quick-Step's team presentation.

"It's been a very tough period for me, with no training and not doing anything," Evenepoel admitted honestly. "We've been on a holiday for a last moment of relaxation so I can recover for hopefully the start of rehab. But I'm patient and will wait so I'm 100% ready to go out on the bike. I can only promise one thing: I'll be back. I'll focus on my big goals and not the side goals. I just want to be 100% ready for the Tour de France."

Speaking of the Tour de France, Evenepoel was confirming to be sharing joint leadership of the Soudal - Quick-Step team in the French Grand Tour this summer at the team presentation, with sprint star Tim Merlier also being backed by the Wolfpack in his quest for stage victories and potentially the first Yellow Jersey of the race.

Overall the team head to 2025 full of optimism after a winter of change, both amongst the staff and riders. "Building a team for the future is also about making hard choices and it was difficult to let Julian Alaphillipe and Kasper Asgreen go. We selected our new riders carefully adding young talent and experienced riders. I think we can bring Ethan Hayter to his best level ever," Patrick Lefevere's replacement Jurgen Fore commmented.