"It's not a matter of urgency here" - Quick-Step ease Evenepoel back into competition at the Tour of Britain

Remco Evenepoel announced his transfer to Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe right at the start of August following the end of the Tour de France, something that was already expected, and the Belgian in the meantime had gone to Livigno to train at altitude in preparation for the World Championships. With the steam blown off, the Olympic Champion now returns to competition at the Tour of Britain.

"It's not a matter of urgency here. It's important to have a good week and that he can leave here in better shape than when he arrived. He was able to complete a good training camp in Livigno and do everything he needed to do," DS Klaas Lodewyck said ahead of the British race to Sporza.

The Belgian is one of the few men's elite riders who are putting a lot of focus on the World Championships, where he will be the main favourite for the time-trial and one of the few rivals for Tadej Pogacar in the road race. Here at the Tour of Britain, there won't be much pressure for a result - like last year - but instead to get racing rhythm, and test his form in the final two Welsh stages.

"He'll definitely try to give it his all. The first two days will be quite intense. The weather isn't the best, and the course will demand a lot from his fitness level, and he'll have to be attentive all day. That will reveal a lot about what's possible this week. But getting a stage is always nice."

Evenepoel's form is one of the biggest questions this week in Great Britain, and his presence definitely elevates the event to a higher level. Evenepoel is amongst the big contenders for the overall win alongside the likes of Thymen Arensman, Oscar Onley and Romain Grégoire.

"Since his crash, it's always been a rush. The Tour didn't go as planned for various reasons. Afterward, he took the time and rest to get better and be healthy. It's important now to turn things around and look ahead to the great races still on his schedule. Let's hope the past few weeks will bring something. We're going to try to grab what's still available this season."

But the team can afford to give opportunities to other riders, a strong lineup featuring Ethan Hayter, Ilan van Wilder, Casper Pedersen, Luke Lamperti and Martin Svrcek. "They're all strong riders. Everyone can take their chance; we'll try to score every day, and then we'll see if a general classification comes along with it."