Remco Evenepoel anticipates first mountain battle at Tour de France: "We might get the first real battle of attrition with the GC riders"

Remco Evenepoel has shown only good signs on the first days of the Tour de France and is excited for the first high-mountain challenge at the Col du Galibier this afternoon. This morning at the start in Pinerolo, the Soudal - Quick-Step rider had cautious words regarding the finale into Valloire.

“For the rest, we might get the first real battle of attrition with the GC riders. We’ll see who or what does something, but you have to be awake anyway. That much is clear,” Evenepoel told VTM this morning. No clear plan of attacking or defending, but instead the Belgian will be riding to feel and depending on how the peloton tackles the hard day of racing.

Read also

PREVIEW | Tour de France 2024 stage 4 - Tadej Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard battle on the mythical Col du Galibier

On stage 2 he put on a very strong performance to be the first rider to cross the summit of the Madonna di San Luca after Tadej Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard; and then almost by himself closing the gap to the duo of big favourites. It was a finale that suited him and he gained time on many of his rivals. This gives confidence ahead of the first day in the mountains, where high altitude and descending skills will also be important.

“Of course. It’s not a long stage, it’s the legs that have to do the talking. There’s no reason to stress. We have to get through it as well as possible and then we’ll see what’s possible," Evenepoel concluded. Evenepoel sits third in the overall classification, tied in time with Richard Carapaz, Tadej Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard. By all means, it is also possible that he will end the day in the yellow jersey if he is strong enough on the ascents. Whilst this was not really possible in San Luca, it will also be an important day to gauge the form of his main domestiques Mikel Landa and Ilan van Wilder - whose support will be key in the mountains for the Tour de France debutant.

Read also

"We really thought that Pogacar could crush the Tour de France and we finally saw a Vingegaard rather at ease" - Cédric Vasseur

Remco Evenepoel target of criticism after Tour de France gesture: "This is just bullying, and that’s bad"