"I have been struggling with my pollen allergy for a whole week" - Remco Evenepoel shares health issue deep into Dauphiné

Remco Evenepoel is one of the top figures at the Criterium du Dauphiné and he is prepared to finish amongst the best in the overall classification. A fourth place seems quite sure, but the Belgian may still try to jump into the podium - although allergies have been hampering him.

“I am recovering well. I always feel good in the morning. It just doesn’t really show in the finals. I just have to deal with it now and hope that everything will improve towards the Tour”, Evenepoel said in words to Sporza and VTM. However not all is bright in the mornings for the Olympic champion.

"I have been struggling with my pollen allergy for a whole week. Maybe I am also a bit short due to my poor winter," he shares. "That is important at this level. Here you come up against the best riders in the world in this work with Tadej and Jonas. I don’t want to blame it on anything, but there may be multiple causes. However, there is still enough time to analyze and prepare everything.”

Evenepoel has shared his thought on the final short stage which finishes in Mont Cenis, a stage not as hard as the previous two, but where fireworks are still expected amongst the best climbers in the world.

“I think there is a lot of interest in the early breakaway, so I expect a fierce battle for the breakaway. The final climb is not easy. The last six kilometres are almost 8% uphill, which is tough, and we are going back to altitude.”

And Evenepoel may still try to go towards the podium, in specific circumstances. “If I feel good, I will try something to get closer to Lipowitz. Whether that will be for the stage win, we will see. I suspect that the breakaway will stay away, but you never know. I will just make the best of it. And try to end this Dauphiné on a positive note.”