"If you ask me today if he can also win the Tour: yes": Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe confident in Evenepoel’s potential to win the Tour de France

The cycling world has always debated what kind of rider Remco Evenepoel truly is. After a blistering start to the season with his new team, Red Bull- BORA - hansgrohe, the young Belgian star is once again at the center of this conversation. While his one-day race results are undeniably historic, his team's Sports Director, Sven Vanthourenhout, insists that nobody should underestimate his ability to conquer the world's biggest three-week races.

Evenepoel had an amazing start to his year, winning six times in his first eight race days. He then took a stage victory in the UAE Tour time trial, but a few tough days on the mountain finishes pushed him down to 10th place overall.

When speaking to Het Laatste Nieuws, Vanthourenhout was asked if Evenepoel is actually better suited for one-day Classics instead of long Grand Tours. The Sports Director defended his rider's big ambitions.

“Gosh, I understand the doubts about the Grand Tour rider Evenepoel. But he's already won the Vuelta,” Vanthourenhout said. "And without the Covid case, that might have been the case with the Giro [in 2023 - ed]. So if you ask me today if he can also win the Tour: yes."

Vanthourenhout explained that patience and belief are key when it comes to Evenepoel's potential to beat the very best in a three-week race. “I think we should keep believing in that. Because one day, at the right time, we may be able to get the very best version of Remco, while that is not the case with his big competitors. It's his temperament, and you have to respect him in that, because that's where his great power can lie in."

He did admit that, right now, Evenepoel's record in one-day races is stronger, but that will not stop the Belgian from chasing his ultimate goal. “Is he a better one-day rider than a Grand Tour rider? Of course, his honour roll says that a bit. And there are many more big one-day races that he can or will win,” said Vanthourenhout.

“But at the same time, he continues to cherish that Tour dream. Even though he realises that it will be a huge challenge, that he won't succeed just like that.”

Vanthourenhout also talked about how the Olympic champion has fit perfectly into the Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe squad since joining them. There were initial questions about his personality, but Evenepoel quickly proved everyone wrong.

“When Remco signed, many wondered: who is he really? How is he going to behave here? Like an island within the team? Or will he integrate smoothly?” said Vanthourenhout. “The reality is that Remco immediately opened up enormously. In his typical way. By showing genuine interest in many things. In the team's WhatsApp groups, he is invariably one of the first to drop or respond to something."

His kindness has extended to everyone in the organization, making him very popular behind the scenes. “Even the rookies and juniors receive congratulations from him on winning. And he also regularly sends messages to soigneurs, mechanics, physios... He has already stolen many hearts with that.”

Evenepoel will soon return to racing at the Volta a Catalunya, which begins on March 23. There, he will race alongside his teammate Florian Lipowitz and test himself against Jonas Vingegaard and João Almeida.