Remco Evenepoel already vaccinated for Rwanda World Championships and gives a date for his first training on the road - "I'll be able to train outside for the first time on..."
Cycling
Malaria, hepatitis A and yellow fever are some of the vaccinations required to make the trip to Rwanda this year for the World Championships, which may cause some awkwardness for some pro riders - besides the financial costs away from the elite riders. Remco Evenepoel however, away from training at the moment due to a tough crash, tells that he has already undergone the necessary vaccination is prepared to fight for more rainbow jerseys.
“I did not hesitate to take part in that obligation. From the moment it was announced, I had already decided that I was going to take the vaccine, as soon as possible," he said during yesterday's press conference where he participated online with the team. "I did feel something, but that was only for one day. But it is already in me.”
The double Olympic Champion suffered very big injuries in a fall now almost exactly a month ago and it has been an extreme setback in his season. Right after the end of his break from cycling, it meant that the break has ultimately been extended quite a lot. He has been for several months largely inactive, but it's a necessary situation in order to be able to recover from what he's endured. But he can now do physiotherapy after a positive first observation of his recovery.
"My rehabilitation can finally begin now. We are taking it day by day. We want to make sure that everything is 100% recovered," he told Wielerflits. "I have to strengthen my muscles. A nerve on the outside of my shoulder has been hit. As a result, the outside feels a bit dead," he says. "The pain is bearable, except when getting up. Then it feels like twenty trucks have run over it. There is also no muscle reaction yet. We have to keep an eye on that. But the most important thing is that I can start now.”
The leader of Soudal - Quick-Step can now get on the rollers and begin slowly gaining form ahead of the spring, and says that within three weeks he may be able to do his first training on the road. "The doctors hope that I'll be able to train outside for the first time on February 3 or 4," he shares.
In the meantime, he has confirmed his presence at the Tour de France together with Tim Merlier, whilst Mikel Landa will have equally high ambitions at the Giro d'Italia. Evenepoel continues to have the same goal of returning to competition at the Ardennes classics.
"Those are specific races to restart, but it is feasible. A one-day race is easier than Paris-Nice or a Giro d’Italia. That is why the Giro is completely off the table. I know that I now have three months. That is enough space to be good in the Brabantse Pijl. Liège is also only two weeks later. It is a risk, but we are confident.”
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Our team was presented today to the sponsors, journalists and fans in Calpe.
— Soudal Quick-Step Pro Cycling Team (@soudalquickstep) January 9, 2025
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- Well, there we have it, bar injuries the TdF will be like the musketeers or tennis the last decade, a terrifying trio plus one.Jumpyjohn10-01-2025
- I doubt he and Remco will have much to argue over, they can both do their thing. All things considered, I doubt he’d have gotten a better deal. Maybe he’s the type that likes to stick with what he knows?Mistermaumau10-01-2025
- Whatever your feelings he brought success to the team and made the Belgians proud by succeeding in the classics.alsene10-01-2025
- I don't like him either. Makes sense that they'd give him oval wheels.Veganpotter10-01-2025
- She is the strongest and the strongest don't need no tactics. As soon as the road rises, she comes to the front and drops everybodyabstractengineer10-01-2025
- I feel like he is past his peakabstractengineer10-01-2025
- Its the curse of a French rider on a french teamabstractengineer10-01-2025
- This guy is making a very stupid decision. His agent should have brought him superior offers. He is going to play 2nd fiddle to Remco and then wonder why he isn't at the TDF or missing all GTs in a season.abstractengineer10-01-2025
- Hirschi and Alaphilippe on Cancellara's team, honestly sounds like a great choice if they manage to play the game the way Van der Poel did, a few years ago. They know where they need to be at the end of next year, in terms of points, so now it's just a question of being there. I'm not sure Alaphilippe will play the role he dreams of, and his jerky movements on the bike continue to annoy me, but I truly wish him and the team the best of luck in reaching their goal. It makes for better racing when teams like Tudor (he still refers to it as a "project," love that) are fighting to get into the World Tour.RidesHills09-01-2025
- Nice to see him with a sense of humor about the wins. That's actually a really good sign of how he's feeling, most of the time.RidesHills09-01-2025