When Tadej Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard rode clear of their GC rivals on the second ascent of the San Luca on stage 2 of the 2024 Tour de France, the Maillot Jaune looked set for another two horse race already. Battling hard however, Remco Evenepoel dragged himself and Richard Carapaz back into contact.
Many were impressed by Evenepoel's fight and dogged determinedness in the finale of stage 2, including cycling's most controversial figure, Lance Armstrong. "I don't think Remco Evenepoel is currently capable of winning the Tour de France, but I was impressed with his riding today," the American reflected via his own podcast, The Move. "When finishing he looked sharper than I have ever seen him."
With the so called 'Big 4' of Grand Tour cycling going head to head for the first time ever, it's not unfair to say that many considered Evenepoel the lesser of that group, that also includes Tadej Pogacar, Jonas Vingegaard and Primoz Roglic. Given his impressive start to his Tour de France debut however, is Evenepoel beginning to turn doubters into believers? "He was standing next to Pogacar during the cool-down and he is as sharp as a knife. But Evenepoel is not far behind," assesses Armstrong.
Not all are yet convinced however. "Maybe it's still too early this year, but as one of the best time trialists in the peloton, he will certainly get opportunities in the future," Armstrong's podcast partner, George Hincapie adds in assessment of the Soudal - Quick-Step leader. "Perhaps one day a course will come along that suits him, and if he also loses two kilos in weight, I don't rule out that he will win the Tour one day. After all, he has already won the Vuelta."
With Evenepoel second in the general classification after two stages and level on time with the Maillot Jaune wearing Pogacar, the Belgian could move into yellow on stage 3.
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