"It will be almost impossible for Evenepoel to take that next step" - No chance for Quick-Step leader to close Tour de France gap after training crash according to expert
Cycling
After an impressive podium on his Tour de France debut in 2024, Remco Evenepoel was hoping to use a big winter preparation as a springboard into an even more impressive 2025. Sadly though, a training crash in Belgium might have ruined those plans.
During a casual ride in his homeland, Evenepoel was surprised by the opening door of a BPost van, crashing hard and being left with broken bones, a dislocated collarbone and numerous other injuries. According to Dutch sports scientist Jim van den Berg, despite this crash happening in the off-season, it could significantly damage Evenepoel's hopes of closing the gap to Tadej Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard.
"Evenepoel is only 24 years old, then you are in the phase in your career where you still want to take steps forward," Van den Berg explains to Het Nieuwsblad. "It is the period to take a new step forward in your development. You don't have to be a sports scientist to know that it will now be almost impossible for Evenepoel to take that next step."
"As exceptionally good as his season was, if you look at what happened in the Tour, it is necessary to take a step forward," continues the Dutch sports scientist. "Because he is dealing with perhaps the best rider of all time."
"Every season, every major tour, every training build-up you pile up and that makes you better and better. That's why Mathieu van der Poel - who almost never falls seriously - is so good. That's why Wout van Aert also has a problem: he also falls relatively often with serious consequences. That is a huge obstacle to getting better. Because you always take a step back instead of growing," Van den Berg concludes. "It would be very special if we saw a better Evenepoel in 2025 than in 2024. No one gets better from these kinds of falls, it takes so much energy from your body."
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- It does, he had some weight management issues, being too lightweight I believe. He will be right there if he comes healthy.awp15-01-2025
- I think you are right. The way he came back from that dreadful accident and still managed to finish second in the tour speaks volumes.roadman5412115-01-2025
- Never count Vingegaard out. He is one hell of great athlete. If he comes healthy it will be game on.awp15-01-2025
- We are in for what might just be one of cycle racing's best ever years. I'm so looking forward to it. Bring it on!1stpastthepost15-01-2025
- I like to have a bet on cycling now and then. No big stakes a £ or a $ and always feel that given the right circumstances Alaphilipe gives you value for money :-)1stpastthepost15-01-2025
- What else is he supposed to say, "no, he's unbeatable, we'll be fighting for top 10"😂vappaxbipmv15-01-2025
- I have no cause. I think that it is a healthy thing for a human being to forgive and, where possible, forget an “adolescent” lapse of judgement. Regarding rape or genocide or the many other bad things the human race does to each other I surely do make comment where appropriate. We all have exactly the same choice and fundamental right to question and engage similarly on “any” topic that concerns you - as you have done here.roadman5412115-01-2025
- Erm, that’s pretty forgiving, up to what point are you willing to go? Rape, murder, genocide? As for Mikolajjj, if you feel so strongly on the subject, why waste you time here where the author is hardly likely to notice you. There must be millions of worse cases to go comment on snd thousandd on more useful websites for furthering your cause.Mistermaumau15-01-2025
- He is definitely among the best, but marred by bad luck the past few years. With Pogi, MvDP, Remco and Wout dominating the classics, the likelihood for him to win in the classics is slimmer these days even if he's back to his best shape. I like his attacks, more strength to his elbow.
KerisVroom15-01-2025 - Yeh he is cool. I hope he has a good year.1stpastthepost14-01-2025