"I have a lot of confidence and motivation ahead of the many challenges that will come” - Remco Evenepoel ready for defence of Vuelta a Espana

Remco Evenepoel will return to the Vuelta a Espana as Soudal - Quick-Step leader and is intent on defending his crown from last year when he became the fourth youngest winner in the history of the Spanish Grand Tour.

“It will be quite special to return at La Vuelta with bib number one on my back and the beautiful Belgian Champion jersey on my shoulders, in what will be my first outing since conquering it in late June," the Belgian told his team's official website after the announcement of Evenepoel's support riders were confirmed as Andrea Bagioli, Mattia Cattaneo, Jan Hirt, James Knox, Casper Pedersen, Pieter Serry and Louis Vervaeke.

“Spain is one of my favourite countries, I’ve always felt good and had a lot of success there, and hopefully the trend will continue over the next weeks. If you look over the course and the start list, you can see it’s going to be a very tough race," Evenepoel continues, referencing the immense quality of the Vuelta a Espana startlist including the likes of Primoz Roglic, Jonas Vingegaard, Geraint Thomas, Juan Ayuso and Enric Mas among others.

"I had a good preparation and can rely on a strong squad," Evenepoel concludes. "I have a lot of confidence and motivation ahead of the many challenges that will come.”

“We have a well-balanced team for this last Grand Tour of the year, comprising strong guys for the climbs, but also riders who can protect Remco on the flat and put him in a good position ahead of the climbs," adds sports director Klaas Lodewyck. "We hope to have a good start in Barcelona, then we will continue taking it day by day and see how things pan out, especially as after the first couple of stages we will know more about our form and that of our opponents. We are motivated and looking forward to what we hope will be three strong weeks in Spain.”