"Johan Bruyneel and Lance Armstrong are not stupid, they know a little about cycling" - Cyrille Guimard agrees that Remco Evenepoel is unlikely to challenge for Tour de France victory in 2024

The prospects of Remco Evenepoel as he prepares to make his Tour de France debut in 2024 have been much discussed since the announcement of the route and profiles and the Belgian's hopes of taking the Maillot Jaune continue to cause contention.

“It's his first Tour de France. Okay, he already won the Vuelta, but the Tour de France is a different ballgame," Johan Bruyneel recently said in conversation with Lance Armstrong on 'The Move' podcast. "I don't think he can be expected to compete for the podium. He still has to learn the tricks of the Tour. There really is a big difference with the Tour. Especially if those three boys remain fit and nothing happens to them, Evenepoel will not be able to threaten them."

In his column for Cyclism'Actu, Cyrille Guimard has expressed his agreement with this statement, also casting doubts on the Soudal - Quick-Step's leaders hopes of winning his first Maillot Jaune in 2024. "Johan Bruyneel and Lance Armstrong are not stupid, they know a little about cycling," says the Frenchman. "For me, Evenepoel has the means and the potential to win the Tour de France, but I find it heavy and every time I see him, I wonder if he doesn't have one or two extra kilos."

"I don't find him sharp like a Vingegaard, a Pogacar or a Sepp Kuss," he clarifies. "And now, on the Grand Tours, you shouldn't have one gram too much, otherwise you pay for it. As soon as you pass the 7% slope or a certain altitude, he is much less aerial. I think he should pay attention to his diet."