"I can't wait for tomorrow... I'm hoping to make some waves" - Can Remco Evenepoel take Maillot Jaune on first ITT of 2024 Tour de France?

Six stages down, it's hard not to have been impressed with Tour de France debutant Remco Evenepoel. Sitting second in the general classification, the Soudal - Quick-Step leader is just 45 seconds off Tadej Pogacar with the race entering Evenepoel's territory.

On stage 7, the 2024 Tour de France takes on its first individual time-trial. As the current world champion against the clock, Evenepoel is targeting some general classification gains and maybe even a move into the Maillot Jaune. The first time-trial of the race. The Tour has steered away from flat time-trials but this is the one, if you could call it that. There is a small ascent and descent halfway through the 25-kilometre course ending in Gevrey-Chambertin, but most of the route will allow the specialists to make some differences. The course is not technical in any way - except for the final meters which have two corners. There is a small hilltop of 1.6 kilometers at 6.5% between intermediate points 1 and 2 followed by a plateau. Big efforts will be set here, as the descent after allows for some rest. Tactics will matter on the day.

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"Today went fairly well. It was windy, but my team kept me in the right place. I stayed focused throughout the four-hour stage. It was pretty nervy out there," reflects the former Vuelta a Espana winner in his post-stage interview, following a windy and stress inducing stage 6 that eventually ended in a bunch sprint won by Team Jayco AlUla's Dylan Groenewegen.

On the stage 7 individual time-trial, Evenepoel is eagerly anticipating his chance to shine on Tour de France debut. "Tomorrow's time trial course [between Nuits-Saint-Georges and Gevrey-Chambertin] isn't too far from Belgium, so I managed to recce it between Christmas and New Year's, and I popped back for another look a few days ago," the 24-year-old previews. "The course suits me well. I can't wait for tomorrow. We're gunning for victory. As the world time trial champion, I'll be giving it my all for the stage win, but also with an eye on a strong position in GC, where I'm hoping to make some waves."

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Start Times & Order: 2024 Tour de France stage 7 ITT

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Fifth white jersey for @EvenepoelRemco of @EvenepoelRemco in his debut #TDF2024 😃 Photo: @BeelWout

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