"I was impressed by the intensity with which he was training" - Monument winner blown away by Remco Evenepoel after spotting him training
Cycling
Remco Evenepoel is considered the favourite by many to take the mantle in Tadej Pogacar's absence for the rest of the season. Training at high altitude following his Clasica San Sebastian victory and Tour de France second place, the Belgian is lined up for an end-of-season tilt at glory.
Following Pogacar's Vuelta crash, the dynamics of the final big races of the season have taken a drastic turn, propelling the Red Bull - BORA Hansgrohe leader into the position of favourite. Training in Livigno, he's certainly hoping to live up to the billing.
His tailored and to the last millimetre appraoch to July's Tour paid dividends as he took second place and two stage wins, emerging as the definitve next-best to Pogacar in France.
But now, three weeks away from the Montreal World Championships, Evenepoel has once again enjoyed a window of quiet training and preparation. But when Sonny Colbrelli, winner of the 2021 Paris Roubaix, crossed paths with him in Italy's Livigno region, things were far from quiet.
Evenepoel's altitude training camp
On Tuesday, his ride has caught the attention of many, featuring 5300 meters of climbing in just 181 kilometers. Evenepoel climbed up the Passo del Mortirolo, Passo di Gavia and Mottolino.
The now-retired sprinter noted the support of mechanics and staff around the Belgian was one thing, but it was the intensity of the effort Evenepoel was in the midst of that struck Colbrelli.
"The other day I was in Livigno with my kids for a few days' vacation, and at a certain point I saw Remco Evenepoel whizz past me with his entire team of mechanics and trainers in tow," Solbrelli told Bicisport.
"I was impressed by the intensity with which he was training and how he was approaching his high-altitude training in preparation for the World Championships."
Remco Evenepoel at Clasica San Sebastian 2026
Evenepoel favourite for big races
Evenepoel used Livigno as his base this time last year, finding a high level of form in the end-of-season races that saw him also finish clear second place behind Pogacar at the World Championships, European Championships and Il Lombardia.
This time around, if he can find that level of form above the rest, he could make it a triple header of victories as his schedule includes Worlds, Europeans and Il Lombardia - adding to his time trial World Championships defence.
First, however, he takes a similar pre-World Championships warm up to many as he will race the Canadian WorldTour races in both Quebec and Montreal on September 11th and 13th.
The one-day classics are usually well attended, but add an extra benefit this year given the World Championships take place in Montreal two weeks later - serving as a natural base for those lining up a rainbow jersey tilt.
Gavin QuinnCycling Journalist
Gavin Quinn is a cycling journalist and ultra-distance cyclist with a BA in Journalism from Dublin City University. Formerly the Press & Communications Officer for Cycling Ireland, Gavin has worked inside the national team at the World Championships and has reported for the Irish Mirror, Mirror UK, and The42.
His expertise is backed by elite-level access, having interviewed stars like Sam Bennett and Ben Healy, as well as immense personal endurance. In 2025, he completed a 12,000km solo cycle from Ireland to Vietnam, following a 4,600km tour across Europe. From the cobbles of Paris-Roubaix to the gradients of the Tourmalet, Gavin’s writing focuses on the "romance and brutality" of the sport. Having visited 50+ countries, he brings a global, cultural perspective to his coverage of the pro peloton for CyclingUpToDate.
claps 0visitors 0
Just in
Popular news
Latest comments
- So gracious to offer something no-one would be prepared to pay for. The Giro is not the Tour and doesn’t command the same interest or attract the same “elite” (those willing to pay to be a part of something they consider has ego boosting potential). Roadside viewing will always largely remain free for everyone outside circuits. Introduction of a symbolic entrance to mountain climbs is worthy of exploration. Asking 1-2€ isn’t going to repulse real fans (most will spend 50-100€ on their outing that day all things included) but will prevent a portion of the total knobhead thrillseekers who will join in any large gathering as long as it’s free, just because they’re attracted to crowds, without which it it difficult for them to work up their anti-social behaviour.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- How is radio going to help when someone went over a cliff or bridge or off the roadside into a forest unnoticed and is laying there unconscious?Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- Yep, next we’ll be accusing F1 drivers of avoiding Le Mans.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- But on what is that opinion based? Are you holding him to a different standard than others? Are you saying he should do learn to like something he doesn’t Are you saying he hasn’t achieved enough Are you saying he pretends to be better than his results? It’s actually a really strange opinion to oust if you consider it objectively or rationally. Try applying it to others or yourself by asking if not EVERYONE should then be doing more? Nobody in athletics or swimming gets criticism for not expanding their repertoire when a rival or someone else does. In fact, most who move to another event get accused of running from their rival. Opinions are boring, the reasons behind them are what count.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- for a medical chief to throw things like is just bad. There are already radios which were banned for spectacle. allow radios. Gps trackers are not a complete solutionabstractengineer07-11-2026
- Yeah man...PogiSloFans07-11-2026
- any rider less than 25 whether they are really ready for the position of leadership of GT is probably not the case. I think Pogi himself suffered when he was defeated by Jonas in the TDF twice. But that would be the team's job to ensure support so that they can bounce back. It requires a team and time to get back up and win after getting knocked down.abstractengineer07-11-2026
- I'm very glad he got the big late Quickstep Vuelta win and I hope he has a few left for Euskaltel-Euskadi.flyer07-11-2026
- My memories of Ivan Basso aren't good but I liked his sister Elisa ok.flyer07-11-2026
- I'm picking .... .... Never mind 🫥flyer07-11-2026
Loading
Write a comment