"I’m leaving the door open": Remco Evenepoel reconsiders his Paris-Roubaix participation after successful Flanders debut

Remco Evenepoel’s debut at the Tour des Flandres 2026 did not go unnoticed, either by fans or by the rider himself. The Belgian, who looked at ease on the pavé, admitted the experience has sharpened his competitive appetite on this terrain. Paris–Roubaix looms on the immediate horizon, though his participation remains uncertain.

After the race, Evenepoel spoke with clear enthusiasm, while weighing every word. A start in the Hell of the North next week is not ruled out, but neither is it confirmed.

"That needs a proper discussion," he said cautiously in Sporza studio afterwards. "Mathieu (van der Poel) told me the same."

The Belgian did not close the door, but hinted the call is not solely his: "I’m leaving the door open, though I think others may already have shut it completely. We’ll have to talk it through anyway."

Evenepoel was fully aware of the weight of his words. He even slipped in a touch of irony when referring to recent communications from his camp: "That someone like me might open a door like this? I’m not promising anything. It’s still early, you know? I can’t say anything, because we’ve already lied enough lately."

His gestures and expression, however, suggested more ambition than doubt after his smooth adaptation to the Flemish cobbles.

At another point, the Olympic champion looked back on his absence from Milano–Sanremo, a last-minute decision that did not fully convince him. "We decided only a few days before. Either way, it felt like a shame."

He also assessed how the Classicissima has been decided lately: "With the way the finales are playing out now, that kind of effort would suit me even better. Especially seeing how riders are slipping away. If Tom Pidcock can stay with them, I can do it too."

Evenepoel made it clear his classics schedule could evolve. On Sanremo, he already has a plan: "I’ll probably start there next year."

As for Roubaix, the call remains open: "That really hasn’t been discussed yet."

For the time being, Evenepoel's next appointments are the Ardennes with Amstel Gold Race on April 19, La Fleche Wallonne on April 22 and culminating with Liege-Bastogne-Liege on April 26. Once again, he'll find himself facing off with Tadej Pogacar at the very least at the Monumental race.