"I hope that all doubters will believe in me now" - Remco Evenepoel's third place at Tour has a lot of promise into future
CyclingMonday, 22 July 2024 at 09:32
Remco Evenepoel wasn't going to take the final time trial in Nice and easy, but it didn't mean anything against the dominant Tadej Pogacar and so, just like in the general classsification, the young Belgian has to settle for third place. At least, there's a White jersey to bring home for the Soudal - Quick-Step rider.
"I’ve been through a lot again this year. I’ve had a lot of pressure, a lot of doubts from outside," Evenepoel said at Sporza. "I’ve worked really hard to be at this level. To do it and finish after the two best riders in the world is really special and great. It’s a confirmation of the hard work I’ve done."
Evenepoel did not have an ideal run-up to the Tour. "It certainly was not easy, the fall at the Itzulia Basque Country did not help. It was a rush, but it ended well. That can only be good for the future. I also see these performances as a nice answer to all doubters and critics. I hope that all doubters continue to believe in me and that it is over with saying that I cannot ride grand tours."
What is the most important lesson Evenepoel learned this Tour? "If someone is better, you just have to keep doing your own thing. Today you see again that Tadej is outstanding. I finished very close to Jonas again. It may not have been my best time trial, the Col d'Eze was not my best part. On the flat I was able to make up some ground. It was very difficult, the barrel was a bit empty. I gave it my all. I take one thing with me: that there is still a lot of margin and that I want to come back and try to win."
The focus is soon back on the Olympic Games. On Saturday 27 June, Evenepoel is already one of the big favourites in the time trial. "Tonight we are going to enjoy it. It is special, standing on the podium and winning the white jersey. It may be the only time in my entire career that I am on the podium of the Tour. From tomorrow onwards, the focus will be on Saturday."
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- Stage win onlyabstractengineer07-05-2025
- Maybe she was pushed, she seemed too out of control for fellabstractengineer07-05-2025
- He wins the Vuelta because the best don't show up. With how he rides, he's better for the TdF but not good enough for who showsVeganpotter07-05-2025
- True, but unless Tadej or Jonas fall off their bike or get sick, no one is going to beat them. The 2014 Tour was decided by the Shark of Messina long before Contador or Froome were injured. I miss Nibali.awp07-05-2025
- Everyone thought Froome or Contador had the 2014 Tour locked up, and look what happened. Anything can occur in a race.itsent07-05-2025
- The handbags are already out aren't they? Let's see who pulls for who.Renz07-05-2025
- "I think they forgot last year, and when Jonas was injured," and I think you forgot 2023 L-B-L, when Tadej was injured and had to improvise a training without bike. Tadej only could riding a "normal" bike again only 2 weeks before the Tour. That TT he couldn't knowing well at all.
maria2024202407-05-2025 - It's unfortunate a rider of his caliber hasn't won the Tour de France and I can't fault him for trying, in fact, I respect it. But he never will win the Tour as long as Tadej and Jonas are in the peloton, and we might as well add Remco to that list as he is the youngest and seems to be coming up quickly behind Tadej and Jonas. I hope Primoz can capture another Giro and maybe another Vuelta before he calls it a day.awp07-05-2025
- "He breaks the conventions we once held", yeah, Tadej es disruptive, unique. Perhaps because he doesn't come from a family/country with tradition in cycling, so the "laws" of cycling were unknown to him and he was just looking/seeking to have fun. Traditions are beautiful but sometimes can be limiting.maria2024202407-05-2025
- I'd win so much money off Blythe on this one!bobo07-05-2025
Remco had a great Tour and did prove many people wrong that he has trouble being consistent in the mountains. I look forward to seeing more from him as he continues to develop.
he was pretty consistent this tour even in the high mountains!
In a couple years Remco should easily be able to reach Jonas’ level, he’s only 24 and already with such mind blowing palmarès ! He showed how strong he is on his debut tour, what a legend!
Keep it up boss!!
What doubters. It was already known that Remco cannot challenge the Jonas and Pogi and it was made a certainty in this TDF.
A lot of people said that he'll crack and drop out of podium like how he did at last year Vuelta. Maybe not here, but you can see such comments on the net.
And his most recent stage race before TdF was lacklustre. People started to talk trash about him.
A solid race from a grand tour winner, and what I liked best was how he did the climbs based on his own power (you could see him checking the head unit) and his own rhythm. Couldn’t compete with those two, did his own thing, came in a solid third. Plus it was nice to see the bromance with Pogacar, they obviously admire each other and get along.