"It's not dramatic no need to panic" - Remco Evenepoel's time loss to Vingegaard and Pogacar not dramatic for Quick-Step

Remco Evenepoel has so far ridden a consistent and strong Criterium du Dauphiné, but it's undeniable that uphill, he is not at the level of Tadej Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard. However, the team reassures that this is not a concern at the time being.

Despite his great time trial on stage 4, with which he took the lead by sweeping his two rivals, in the mountains the level offered has not been the same as that of Pogacar and Vingegaard. The same applies to Florian Lipowitz who is virtually set to take the third spot on the podium alongside the 'big two'.

However, at the Soudal Quick-Step camp there is no panic. Firstly because the Dauphiné isn't the goal the team is working towards, secondly because the pressure to win the Tour doesn't exist in the same way as his rivals.

Tom Steels, team DS, has spoken to Het Laatste Nieuws after yesterday's stage in which the Belgian was fifth on the road. "Tadej Pogacar is superior. What he is doing is spectacular, but Remco is not bad. He's still fourth. It's not dramatic, we shouldn't panic".

What Steels says of his rider however is that there is a lot of optimism over the level of the Olympic Champion, both taking into consideration his current competitive level but also the possibility of him still growing into the Tour de France at the current rhythm.

"I make it a rule not to talk about numbers and watts. That's private data. All I can say is that Remco is racing well. His fitness is not bad, but he's not at his best yet. That's probably true, but we still have time," he concluded. Into the final stage up to Mont Cenis, Evenepoel enters 4:11 minutes down on Tadej Pogacar, but is unlikely to lose his current position.