"Now we can consider it" - Remco Evenepoel open to Giro-Tour double; but confirms no Tour of Flanders
CyclingThursday, 07 November 2024 at 10:15
Belgian cycling sensation Remco Evenepoel is setting his
sights on achieving even greater success as he moves into the 2025 season. This
week, Evenepoel was honoured with the prestigious Flandrien award, which
recognises him as the Belgian cyclist of the year following an impressive 2024
campaign.
Earlier in the year, Soudal Quick-Step’s team principal,
Patrick Lefevere, hinted at potential changes to Evenepoel’s racing schedule,
suggesting the possibility of him making his debut at both Milan-San Remo and
the Tour of Flanders in 2025. "I think Remco is a bit of a Flandrien after
all. He sometimes trains on these roads. I'm sure he wants to ride the Tour one
day," Lefevere shared with La Dernière Heure.
However, Evenepoel has since provided a clearer picture of
his 2025 plans, confirming in an interview with Het Nieuwsblad, "I
will not ride the Tour of Flanders next season.”
The 24-year-old left the door open for other early-season
classics, noting that “Milan-San Remo is still open as an option, depending on
the choice for Tirreno-Adriatico or Paris-Nice. Actually, we have not yet
spoken concretely about programs. But we have spoken about ideas and goals.”
This leaves cycling fans wondering if Evenepoel will opt for
a Giro d'Italia and Tour de France double in 2025. Addressing the possibility,
Evenepoel stated, "Last year, the Giro-Tour combination was not possible
if you wanted to be at the top at the Olympic Games. Now we can consider it,
but we will first wait and see what the course is like. If I ride the Giro, I
will not ride Ardennes classics such as the Fleche Wallonne and the Amstel. I
never skip Liège-Bastogne-Liège if I am healthy."
Evenepoel’s ambition to secure another grand tour victory is
evident. His strong third-place finish at his Tour de France debut in 2024
showcased his talent on the biggest stage, but the Belgian star has not won a
grand tour since his 2022 Vuelta a España triumph. Despite his two victories at
Liège-Bastogne-Liège, it is clear that grand tours remain his primary focus as
he aims to challenge the dominance of Tadej Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard in the
seasons to come.
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- He was always a great tactician. But he pushed doping on his riders from back in the CSC days big time. I read Tyler's book, it was dark...awp07-11-2024
- wow, this is a shock. this guy is a major talent on the MTB, and he just won the WC. I'm surprised he doesn't want to spend a year enjoying the rainbow jersey.mij07-11-2024
- This is true. But also, for some reason the amount of Athletes who are getting asthma related to sports is on a steady climb. Not in just cycling but around the world in seemingly every single sport. I don’t have any explanation for this. Could it be the changes in weather conditions and such compared to 20yrs ago? Or is something going on in relation to doping? I have not read enough on this to have a solid understanding or opinionmd197507-11-2024
- "Armstrong won his 7 wins. Fair and square. Doping was rampant during his time. He did was just to level the playing field" comment from KHWong. He cheated, he enticed/forced teammates to cheat, he affected other's families and tainted other's reputations, he sued those who factually accused him of cheating in their attempt to prove breach of contract, he got paid to admit to his lies. Nice guy; right? Anyone who has not been prosecuted for cheating per THEIR OWN SPORT'S RULES THAT THEY AGREE TO ABIDE BY and continues to deny in public or to themselves, and rationalizes the reasons for doing so is weak of mind and body, has no integrity or ethics and ahould find another job or form their own cycling federation where anything goes. The fans will not care if you screw up your bodies for their entertainment. Just take look at boxing and American football. Even worse when fans of the sport themselves make those rationalizations for the cheaters. There has been cheating of all types throughout the history of many sports; nearly 150 years in cycling itself since competitions started, and the gambling and revenue that came along with them. Cheat if you want, but lack any personal integrity. If that is what you to be, or want to emulate fine; but no one should expect or receive pity for a premeditated decision to cheat in any manner. You are deceiving yourself if competing, and also deceiving the fans. Cycling will soon be like "professional wrestling": choreographed and with the winner being known in advance. Oh wait; that is what already has happened this year. It has been found that many of cycling's "greats" (i.e. Coppi, Merckx, et al.) were cheating and possibly caused (did cause) one or more premature deaths in cycling. Go ahead and enjoy a sport that you cannot trust; I will not.BraneDed07-11-2024
- Remco's public pronouncements are careful and deliberate. He is laying the groundwork for an exit a year from now if his 2025 results don't match his ambition.Renz07-11-2024
- yeah, riis has been a team manager for about 20 years now. he never left the sport. most of those who got caught never did either, except for the periods of their suspensions. that includes merckx and hinault and kelly and blah blah blah, ad infinitum…OCexile07-11-2024
- Hubris. Does funny things to people.Sweep07-11-2024
- So all the old dopers are feeling like it's time to come back to pro cycling. I wonder why.Sweep07-11-2024
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- Most of their sporting ventures, maybe Armorim can stop the downward spiral, for a while.Mistermaumau07-11-2024