“Not the usual recovery ride”: Remco Evenepoel’s continues relentless build towards European Road Race with monster Strava upload

Less than 24 hours after clinching a dominant victory in the European Championships time trial, most riders would be resting their legs and relishing the afterglow. But Remco Evenepoel is not most riders.

At 10:38 a.m. local time, the reigning world and European time trial champion uploaded a 135.33 km training ride on Strava, modestly titled: “Not the usual recovery ride”. With 1,660 meters of climbing and a route looping through the rugged hills southwest of Valence, it’s the kind of “recovery” session that underlines Evenepoel’s singular engine — and his unmistakable intent.

Evenepoel arrives at the 2025 European Road Championships in peak condition. His 28:26 blitz over 24km in the time trial crushed all competition — beating Filippo Ganna by 43 seconds and Denmark’s Niklas Larsen by over a minute. That ride marked his second European ITT title, and further consolidated his dominance in the discipline, coming just two weeks after claiming a third consecutive rainbow jersey in the World Championships time trial in Kigali.

But perhaps more telling is how seamlessly he’s balancing form across disciplines. In Kigali, he backed up his time trial win with a silver medal in the road race, attacking late to secure second behind an untouchable Tadej Pogacar. That podium — not won in a bunch gallop, but via a brave solo move — signals more than just form: it signals confidence.

The ride uploaded today isn’t just data; it’s preparation. Leaving from Loriol-sur-Drôme, Evenepoel charted a figure-eight route over punchy terrain — terrain not dissimilar to Saturday’s European road race course. The presence of highlighted “Hellingshoek” (Strava’s Dutch label for a steep gradient segment) in bright red confirms at least one effort over a sharp climb, and the total elevation gain (1,660 m) suggests a ride rich in rolling rhythm and short bursts of threshold climbing — an ideal simulation for the upcoming parcours.

And let’s not overlook the fact he finished 5th on a segment ("Route de Lacroix s/n!") while ostensibly on a recovery day. Evenepoel doesn’t ride without purpose.

For most, “recovery” means rest. For Remco Evenepoel, it means elevation, intensity, and momentum. This ride wasn't just about keeping the legs loose; it was a continuation of a build that may yet culminate in another major victory.