Remco Evenepoel named Belgian rider of the year

The year has been fantastic for Remco Evenepoel. He won the Vuelta a Espana, became a world champion, and married. But it's not over for him yet. He also received the Kristallen Fiets award on Wednesday after being voted the best male Belgian rider of 2022.

This is his second time winning the award. He already won once in 2019, the same year as his professional debut. This year, he added 15 victories to his list of achievements. “I won the Vuelta, but I think the Worlds was what tilted the balance and brought me the Kristallen Fiets again after three years,” Evenepoel said.

He continues, “I had a great year, and I think it was the victory in Liège–Bastogne–Liège that changed everything and gave me the motivation and strength for the second part of the season, which was an incredible one.”

The voting panel consisting of journalists, past winners, and federation officials awarded 1,100 points to him, Wout van Aert second with 870 points. Jasper Philipsen took third place with 436 points, followed by Arnaud De Lie of Lotto Soudal with 398 points and Yves Lampaert with 106 points. “To be named the best male rider of my country is special and unique, something for which I’m grateful, so I want to enjoy this moment because it won’t be easy to repeat in 2022,” concluded the World Champion.