Remco Evenepoel has pushed through and conquered the rainbow jersey last year in Wollongong with a traditional long-distance attack. This weekend in Glasgow begins his run for the 2023 World Championships and he believes that he has a good shot at both road race and time-trial events.
“I am certainly satisfied with it. Winning the UAE Tour as world champion, that was a very nice one. In the Vuelta a Catalunya I rode a very good race. There was more to it, if I had ridden a bit more tactically and smarter," Evenepoel said in an interview with Wielerflits "But still two stage victories and second in the final standings. In the Giro d'Italia I won the first and the last stage - at least, of my Giro. The Tour de Suisse was also very good. I was only at 85-90% of my ability there and had not really been able to train well for that. Still third in the final classification and won a stage."
Evenepoel's first part of the season revolved around the Giro d'Italia, he's done specific preparation for it but nevertheless managed to take a very strong win at Liège-Bastogne-Liège. At the Giro he won the two time-trials in the first week and was wearing the pink jersey when after the second one he tested positive for Covid-19 and was forced to abandon. A big hit, but one he moved on from.
"In addition, the victory at the nationals as world champion was a very special one and I almost forget Liège-Bastogne-Liège. Then on Saturday the Clásica San Sebastián was added and I think you can speak of a super good year in the rainbow jersey. There have been riders who have done much less in this jersey.”
With the success he's taken so far year and how much he showed, he is proud to have put the world champion's jersey on display. If he is to lose it he will be wearing the Belgian colours as he's won the national championships back in June, however he is part of an incredibly strong lineup for the worlds which has good chances of winning. “We have a very strong team and several cards to play. Jasper Philipsen, Wout van Aert, myself and a few other guys. You never know if we have to adjust the plan due to a fall, breakdown or whatever."
It is a race that is hilly and extremely technical in it's finale, favouring those who attack early even more than past editions of the worlds. This will suit the Belgian tactic of having strength in numbers and Evenepoel will be extremely dangerous on the road. "We have some strong guys who can go for the win. I do expect it to be a special World Championships. Let's hope the rain stays away. Anyway, in Glasgow it often rains. We will see. I think I have a chance in both races."
On the time-trial he adds: "The time trial is long and not super technical. My aerodynamic position will come in handy there. On the other hand, Filippo Ganna will also be among the top favorites again, as always. The road race is technical, but also very long. In the local lap there are many corners and it goes up and down a lot."
However the road race will be the biggest goal, as he looks to net a second consecutive win as his teammate Julian Alaphilippe did in 2020 and 2021. "But it will be a course that is close to seven hours. Due to the fatigue, attackers or a breakaway will benefit from this. It is a bit like the youngest nationals on the road, but with altimeters. I think I can compete in any one-day race to win. So also on the road there is definitely an opportunity for me.”
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