29/07/2024

"I didn't get to bed until half past four in the morning" - Remco Evenepoel's wild six days between Tour de France and Olympic time trial

Remco Evenepoel has had himself a very busy week on the bike. After becoming the first Belgian since 1981 to finish on the final podium of the Tour de France, the Soudal - Quick-Step leader claimed a sensational gold medal in the 2024 Paris Olympic time trial.

But just what did the 24-year-old superstar get up to in the week in between the conclusion of his debut Tour de France campaign and the beginning of what could be a doubly golden Olympic games for the former Vuelta a Espana winner. Well, in quotes collected by HLN, the Belgian's six day spell in cast in new light.

Remco Evenepoel savors Olympic Games triumph in Paris: "It is truly unique"

"I didn't get to bed until half past four in the morning," Evenepoel recalls of Soudal - Quick-Step's post 2024 Tour de France party, that started on Sunday night and went well into the early hours of Monday morning. "I stayed there (in bed ed.), almost the entire day."

“On Tuesday I tried to cycle a bit. But it felt anything but great,” continues the winner of the White Jersey for Best Young Rider at the 2024 Tour de France, having stayed in Nice immediately following the Grand Tour's end. On Wednesday, he flew to Belgium and another training ride, this time proper reconnaissance of the Paris time trial course. "Again, not a good feeling," Evenepoel recalls however.

"I didn't get to bed until half past four in the morning" - Remco Evenepoel's wild six days between Tour de France and Olympic time trial — Filippo Ganna (L), Remco Evenepoel (M) and Wout van Aert (R) complete the Olympic ITT podium

"At 7 o'clock in the morning we were already dragged out of our beds," Evenepoel says of a rude awakening on Thursday morning as he was sent for a pre-Olympic doping test along with compatriots Lotte Kopecky and Wout van Aert. "On Friday, I got out of bed feeling a little fresh for the first time. And I felt that there was still something left in the tank. That gave me confidence. Eventually I found my best legs again at the right moment."

That definitely proved to be the case, as on Saturday afternoon, the time trial world champion added Olympic gold to his glistening palmares in style. “A magical moment," as the Belgian described it himself.