29/12/2022

Remco Evenepoel contains Giro d'Italia expectations - "I aim for Top3 in the standings, a place on the podium"

Remco Evenepoel has had an incredible year and has been named the rider of the year in the Velo d'Or awards. It will be hard to replicate such success in 2023, however he will be aiming for the Giro d'Italia, where many have him as the main favourite but he is modest on his expectations.

“I want to win at least one stage, anyway. Preferably that is one of the three time trials," Evenepoel admits in the VTM program 'Your Film of the Year'. "In addition, I would also like to win a mountain stage, so that is actually two stage victories. And then I aim for Top3 in the standings, a place on the podium."

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Such statement does not come as a surprise as the Belgian looks to have as less pressure as possible into the Corsa Rosa. He is following a similar path as he did to the Vuelta a Espana where the red jersey did not come as main goal - the main was a stage win. Calm and consistency were then all present, and combining with his terrific stage-racing attributes saw Evenepoel take win in Spain.

“The Giro is a completely different race," Evenepoel argues however, with an added level of difficulty, weather changes, and possibly competition. "A completely different characteristic, the mountains in the course… You always have to be realistic and I think that getting on the podium in a Grand Tour is already a great achievement."

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Primoz Roglic, João Almeida, Geraint Thomas, Aleksandr Vlasov and Jack Haig are all riders who have confirmed their focus in the pink jersey, in what should be an open race with several contenders. The Soudal - Quick-Step leader is set to have the whole team focused around him, with Jan Hirt and Ilan van Wilder likely as his main support crew in the mountains.

The lineup however is far from decided, with the Belgian team actually having less plans set up in comparison to other teams. “And then there are two places that are chosen by the team management and Patrick Lefevere. Also because of the individual programs throughout the season and also by seeing who fits in best, and who wants and can go," he concluded.