17/06/2024

POLL: How will Remco Evenepoel's GC challenge go at 2024 Tour de France?

Ahead of making his much-anticipated Tour de France debut later this summer, Remco Evenepoel's first race back since crashing out of the Itzulia Basque Country, has been a mixed bag it's fair to say at the 2024 Criterium du Dauphine.

After showing some good legs on the stage 4 individual time-trial as he thundered to the stage win ahead of INEOS Grenadiers' European champion, Joshua Tarling, Evenepoel spent a few days in the Maillot Jaune of overall race leader. Even with his time loss to general classification rival Primoz Roglic on stage 6, Evenepoel sat 2nd overall with a podium finish looking likely. On stage 7 however, the Soudal - Quick-Step leader was dropped with 7km of the final climb to go, eventually coming home in 13th position, losing 1:46 and dropping to 6th in the GC.

"I understand that people may have doubts, but I don't care" - Remco Evenepoel retains faith in Tour de France challenge despite more Dauphine time loss

"Before the Dauphiné, I already told all the journalists: our riders have to be top at the end of June at the start of the Tour. Should Remco already be at his best level now, we have a problem. He would then have to stretch that for another six weeks," wrote Soudal - Quick-Step boss Patrick Lefevere in his column for Het Nieuwsblad on Saturday morning, citing Evenepoel's current weight as an issue on the climbs. "In weight, for example, Remco is not yet at Tour level now. Another kilo or a kilo and a half has to come off, which usually goes smoothly with him. After the Dauphiné, the Tour team will go on another stage to Isola 2000. There we will work on the last percentages."

How Evenepoel will go at the coming Tour de France remains up in the air however. After his disappointing stage 7, the Belgian wasn't getting too downhearted. "I understand that people may have doubts, but I don't care. This doesn't cross my mind. There is certainly still work to be done, but there is no reason to panic. I just have to get better,” he explained to Belgian media.

So now, we pose the question to you... How will Remco Evenepoel's GC challenge go at 2024 Tour de France? Use the poll down below to cast your vote!