Remco Evenepoel goes in-depth on his weight management - "The days of Chris Froome, who lost weight in the first ten days of the Tour, are over"

Weight in professional cycling has always been a key factor, specially for those who want to perform on the mountains. Remco Evenepoel is part of this list, and in a recent interview he admits that he easily gains weight, which makes it difficult to naturally perform in the mountains all-year round; but that he knows how to lose it ahead of the Tour de France.

“I have genes to gain weight easily. Oumi (his wife, ed.) has also told me that I will have to learn to take good care of myself after my career,” the Belgian said in an interview with Het Laatste Nieuws. After the winter, my arms are never toned, and they look a bit fuller. Apparently, I got that from my mom’s brother. My mom always sees that same physique returning.”

This shows in the Belgian's results throughout his career, in which it's become a trend for him to rarely perform at his best in the mountains outside the Grand Tours. A rider who is well adapted to the long races and also the short climbs, he has always been seen as a natural classics specialist - who, with specific preparation, is also able to reach world-class level on the mountains.

His weight fluctuations are what often lead to these inconsistent results. “Strong, but fluctuating in weight. I recognize that in Dario (Evenepoel’s cousin and mechanic, ed.) as well. If I didn’t exercise and just ate and enjoyed life a bit, I would gain weight quickly.”

Evenepoel has used this weight for his benefit, having become the best time trialist in modern times; winning World and Olympic titles also on the road; and adding several monuments and big wins through the raw power that he's had throughout the year.

But Evenepoel is a rider that aims for more: the Grand Tours. At the 2022 Vuelta a España he took the overall win and confirmed his potential as a three-week racer. And over the years, he's understood that his body will be different in the spring than in the summer.

"I notice that in my explosiveness and three-minute values ​​as well. In April, those are better than in the summer, because then, just like with weight, I also lose some muscle and absolute power," he explains. "It is a matter of finding the right balance in that, but currently, that is neatly under control.”

At the UAE Tour he rode to a modest 10th place. At the Volta a Catalunya a month later, after an altitude camp and with stronger competition, he rode to fifth in the overall classification. He worked on his weight during this period, also eyeing the Tour of Flanders and Liège-Bastogne-Liége which were big goals.

“I know perfectly well what I need to do to shed that and reach my lowest weight: a month at an altitude training camp or a long training period. In the Volta a Catalunya, my weight was a world of difference compared to the UAE Tour," he explains.

For the Grand Tours he knows the formula, although it's not easy to execute. In 2024 we saw an Evenepoel ride to seventh at the Criterium du Dauphiné but once he reached the Tour de France, he had the form of his life, and climbed like never before - and never since - on the long mountains. Then, a perfect balance was achieved.

He knows also that this is a tough task that, even a decade ago, the best in the world didn't have to undergo. “In a race, in terms of energy balance, you have to maintain the same level as what you have consumed. Carbo-loading also makes it virtually impossible to lose weight during a race. The days of Chris Froome, who lost weight in the first ten days of the Tour, are over.”

Evenepoel will have a long altitude camp during May and this will not only be used to build his form in the mountains but also to begin shedding weight. Following the Criterium du Dauphiné, more specific work should be done regarding this.

But until now, weight has not been a major concern, but instead having the watts and the energy available is what was key for the classics. “For a race like Liège, we are allowed to eat pasta as much as we want: 300 grams at lunchtime, another 400 in the evening. During a race, you burn 6,000 to 7,000 calories. So you actually have to eat a lot in the morning, because during the race it is impossible to replenish all of that".

He opened up about some of his 'addictions', in a light-hearted manner: "And what is the best way to do that? By eating a slice of bread with Nutella [...] M&M’s, ice cream. You know what is really tasty? Lotus Biscoff Magnums. Especially the white chocolate ones, but it’s been a long time now. From when I came home from the UAE Tour.”