Remco Evenepoel believes a sprint can decide first Tour de France: "I don't think there will be any real attacks from the GC contenders"

Remco Evenepoel dreams of a Top5 and stage win at this year's Tour de France, his first appearance in the race. It is a race that starts off immediately with a difficult day but the Belgian believes that rather than a GC fight, he expectes a sprinter to take on the first yellow jersey.

"It can start. That it's warm? Yes, but I have to finish this race. I can't easily get in the car for half an hour, you know," Evenepoel told Sporza this morning. "I have to drink a lot and put ice on. Everyone expects the key to be with UAE Emirates today, but that's not a certainty. They benefit from a hard race to then explode in the final." Riders struggle with the very hot conditions over the Appeninnes and with 3800 meters of climbing on the menu there is certainly space for a lot to happen on the opening day of the Tour.

Evenepoel is even a rider that can benefit from such conditions, as it is a very treacherous day where a lot can happen in the finale. Soudal - Quick-Step had bad news at the start of the day with Jan Hirt suffering injuries outside of the race, but Evenepoel himself comes into the race with good form after a training camp where he reportedly lost some weight ahead of the Tour.

On stage 1 he shares his opinions on what the outcome of the day could be. With Jonas Vingegaard's unknown form, some believe UAE Team Emirates may test him right from the start of the race. "I don't think there will be any real attacks from the GC contenders on the last climb because of the distance to the finish," Evenepoel argues. "That's why I've been saying for a few days that Mads Pedersen is a big contender for me.