OFFICIAL: Remco Evenepoel will race Criterium du Dauphiné with Tour de France block to face Pogacar and Vingegaard

The Tour de France is now only just over a month away, and at the Criterium du Dauphiné the three main favourites will face off. Out of the three teams, Soudal - Quick-Step has been the first to confirm their lineup and it will indeed feature a returning Remco Evenepoel.

“The course is very demanding, which isn’t a surprise. The time trial is going to be a nice test, although the differences won’t be big," team DS Tom Steels said in a press release. "The last stages will be the hardest of the race and will give us a good idea where we stand at the moment there. We’ll see how Remco is and we hope he can do a good time trial and be there on the climbs, but we aren’t thinking of going for the overall win. He can count on a strong and balanced team, and we’ll give our best to get some nice results”.

Last year Evenepoel won the race's time-trial but struggled in the mountains of the French race. However, it proved to be the ideal preparation for the Tour de France, after having lost the extra weight he still carried through the Dauphiné. Most likely, the team looks to have the same preparation for the next week in France, although Evenepoel will always be a candidate for the top positions.

In good news for him, he will be supported by Valentin Paret-Peintre, who was initially scheduled for the Giro d'Italia, but could not participate due to an injury. Louis Vervaeke and Max Schachmann will also be able to provide support in the mountainous and hilly days; whilst Pepijn Reinderink, Pascal Eenkhoorn and Casper Pedersen complete the lineup.

“I’m happy to be back in action with the team. I had a solid altitude training camp in Sierra Nevada and now I’m ready for the Dauphiné. I can’t say that I’m going there with any specific goals, as the most important thing will be to see how the form is," Evenepoel himself added. "It goes without saying that I would like to be in the fight for a couple of good results, but the plan is to take it one stage at a time and see where this leads next week”, said Remco.

Soudal - Quick-Step for Criterium du Dauphiné:
Remco Evenepoel
Pascal Eenkhoorn
Valentin Paret-Peintre
Casper Pedersen
Pepijn Reinderink
Max Schachmann
Louis Vervaeke