Jan Bakelants reveals concern that could cause Remco Evenepoel problems at the 2025 Tour de France
Cycling
Former professional Jan Bakelants, who won a Tour de France
stage back in 2013, has made an interesting observation that involves some of
cycling’s biggest names and the transfer market. Bakelants revealed to HLN that
he expected more from Remco Evenepoel’s Soudal – Quick-Step this winter, as he
discussed the strength in depth of UAE Team Emirates and Team | Visma Lease a
Bike.
"Pogacar keeps all his important teammates, and also at
Visma | Lease a Bike, no key riders have left. Instead, they will reinforce
their team with know-how and scientific improvements," said Bakelants, who
notes Visma’s signing of Simon Yates as a strong move.
"The transfer of the year. And I think it is also
useful because he will still bring the ins and outs of the rival from time to
time through Adam Yates, it seems to me. But UAE is above it all. Pogacar has
more talent than Vingegaard, and the team has more money than its Dutch
rival."
Bakelants went on to express his concern at Evenepoel’s
support team for next year's Tour de France, "I had thought they would bring in more sponsors to reinforce
themselves. Especially with Evenepoel as a two-time Olympic champion. Isn't
that a star performer?
“That that doesn't work out inevitably affects the transfer
policy at Soudal Quick-Step. Because let's be honest: the arrival of Valentin
Paret-Peintre, Ethan Hayter, Maximilian Schachmann, and co. It does not excite
us. I remain apprehensive, and probably Remco too," Bakelants concludes
critically.
The Belgian revealed another trend he is currently seeing amongst
cycling’s biggest names, "An important observation is that the big stars
have committed themselves in the classics and stage races for several years.
Not only to their teams but also to the bike manufacturers.
"Tadej Pogacar stays with UAE Team Emirates until 2030,
Mathieu van der Poel signed a ten-year deal with Canyon, Wout van Aert committed
himself for life with Visma | Lease a Bike, and also Remco Evenepoel stayed
where he was."
Fin MajorCycling Journalist
Fin Major is a UK-based writer at CyclingUpToDate and has been part of the team since 2024. He is the site’s main writer for FAQs and evergreen explainers and has written around 2,000 pieces for the platform. Alongside this work, he focuses on in-depth analysis and covers the biggest races on the calendar, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, providing clear context around performance trends, tactics, and key storylines.
In his reporting, Fin uses reputable data sources such as ProCyclingStats for results, statistics, and historical context. He places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. Outside of writing, Fin is an active cyclist, which supports his practical understanding of the sport and its demands.
claps 0visitors 0
Just in
Popular news
Latest comments
- many people advise him to grow slowly and rather do giro and/or vuelta instead of tdf. but i can totally understand that he is not satisfied with taking over once pogi declines, but instead beat him in his prime. so if he goes for tdf again, i‘m all for it. let‘s hope that pogi recovers soon!Ketterechts07-11-2026
- So gracious to offer something no-one would be prepared to pay for. The Giro is not the Tour and doesn’t command the same interest or attract the same “elite” (those willing to pay to be a part of something they consider has ego boosting potential). Roadside viewing will always largely remain free for everyone outside circuits. Introduction of a symbolic entrance to mountain climbs is worthy of exploration. Asking 1-2€ isn’t going to repulse real fans (most will spend 50-100€ on their outing that day all things included) but will prevent a portion of the total knobhead thrillseekers who will join in any large gathering as long as it’s free, just because they’re attracted to crowds, without which it it difficult for them to work up their anti-social behaviour.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- How is radio going to help when someone went over a cliff or bridge or off the roadside into a forest unnoticed and is laying there unconscious?Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- Yep, next we’ll be accusing F1 drivers of avoiding Le Mans.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- But on what is that opinion based? Are you holding him to a different standard than others? Are you saying he should do learn to like something he doesn’t Are you saying he hasn’t achieved enough Are you saying he pretends to be better than his results? It’s actually a really strange opinion to oust if you consider it objectively or rationally. Try applying it to others or yourself by asking if not EVERYONE should then be doing more? Nobody in athletics or swimming gets criticism for not expanding their repertoire when a rival or someone else does. In fact, most who move to another event get accused of running from their rival. Opinions are boring, the reasons behind them are what count.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- for a medical chief to throw things like is just bad. There are already radios which were banned for spectacle. allow radios. Gps trackers are not a complete solutionabstractengineer07-11-2026
- Yeah man...PogiSloFans07-11-2026
- any rider less than 25 whether they are really ready for the position of leadership of GT is probably not the case. I think Pogi himself suffered when he was defeated by Jonas in the TDF twice. But that would be the team's job to ensure support so that they can bounce back. It requires a team and time to get back up and win after getting knocked down.abstractengineer07-11-2026
- I'm very glad he got the big late Quickstep Vuelta win and I hope he has a few left for Euskaltel-Euskadi.flyer07-11-2026
- My memories of Ivan Basso aren't good but I liked his sister Elisa ok.flyer07-11-2026
Loading
Write a comment