“I see more of a one-day rider in him”: Michael Booger questions Evenepoel’s Grand Tour credentials

Remco Evenepoel's reported training numbers have generated considerable discussion ahead of the Tour de France, with claims that the Belgian reached an FTP of 425 watts during a recent altitude camp. While the figures underline the Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe leader’s exceptional physical condition, not everyone is convinced that they automatically translate into Grand Tour success. Former professional rider Michael Boogerd is among those who remain sceptical about Evenepoel’s ability to consistently match cycling’s top stage-race specialists in the high mountains.

The reported FTP value attracted widespread attention, with cycling journalist and data analyst Benji Naesen describing 425 watts as an exceptionally high figure. “425 watts is a particularly high value,” Naesen said. “It shows that the best version of Remco can absolutely fight for a podium place in the Tour.”

At the same time, Naesen cautioned against drawing definitive conclusions from training data alone. “We always have to be careful when talking about numbers,” he explained. “Heat, fatigue, tactics and minor physical problems all play a role.”

Former Dutch rider and current analyst Michael Boogerd appears to share that cautious view, although he went considerably further in his assessment of the Belgian. Boogerd argued that Evenepoel has yet to fully convince him as a Grand Tour contender despite his achievements.

“Evenepoel rode a very good Tour two years ago, but in all his other Grand Tours I never found him particularly impressive,” Boogerd said. “Not even in the Vuelta that he won [in 2022].”

Boogerd suggested that the decisive difference emerges when the strongest climbers raise the pace in the mountains. “I see more of a one-day rider in him,” he said.

“When Tadej Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard really start climbing hard, he also comes up short. That is not a disgrace, but it is an observation.”

With the Tour de France approaching, Evenepoel will soon have the opportunity to respond on the road as he attempts to challenge the sport’s two best Grand Tour riders and prove that his impressive training numbers can translate into results in the mountains.