Remco Evenepoel spotted on the Paterberg and Oude Kwaremont - Does it actually mean he will race Flanders, though?
Cycling
Over the Christmas period, many pro riders have travelled home to be with their families and spend a few days away from the full focus on pro cycling. That was the case with Remco Evenepoel who returned to Belgium, and on a training ride, he was spotted on the Tour of Flanders' climbs. Could this actually mean something?
It is a topic that had seemingly been closed after the announcement of the Olympic Champion's schedule, however it has now been reopened. It is to be taken with a grain of salt, as most likely the plan will not be changed, however it is fair to ask questions after the details that have been shared by Het Nieuwsblad.
The Belgian news outlet shared a small clip of Evenepoel training in the area and reportedly, he did so alongside soon-to-be teammate Gianni Vermeersch - who should lead the team in Flanders - and sports directors Klaas Lodewyck and Sven Vanthourenhout. It could be that Evenepoel, a local - although he currently spends most of his time in Spain - might have joined them as he was in the area.
However it might not be a coincidence, and the plans to ride Flanders may just be kept private in order to lower the amount of questions and pressure from the outside. There are clear cases of this such as Wout van Aert's cyclocross world championships and Tadej Pogacar's Paris-Roubaix debut in 2025, decisions that looked to be taken weeks in advance, but only shared when it had already became undeniable. Could Evenepoel be in the same situation?
Flanders fits the schedule?
Whilst Vermeersch does provide some guarantees, there won't be a discussion on whether Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe can win the race if Evenepoel is not at the start. The tactical aspect of the cobbled classics has been fading over the year, specially with the rise of riders like Mathieu van der Poel, Tadej Pogacar and Mads Pedersen who have made light work out of any off-road sector last spring, a level above the competition in almost every race.
But the real question is on whether Evenepoel will want to fit this in. If it's possible, the answer is a natural yes. He will race the Volta a Catalunya in March, and then the Ardennes in April. It's not a heavy spring schedule, as part of his plan to have a normal season, lowering the risks of injury, and also having his best form where it matters.
Rúben SilvaEditor-in-Chief
A founding contributor to CyclingUpToDate since its launch in January 2022, Ruben Silva has played a central role in shaping the site’s editorial direction and long-term growth. Before joining the project, he built his experience through independent blogging at Echelons Hub and by producing race previews for Ciclismo Internacional, developing a strong analytical voice rooted in daily engagement with professional cycling.
Beyond editorial work, he has been closely involved in the expansion and coordination of CyclingUpToDate’s wider network, helping establish and support sister platforms across multiple languages. This includes ongoing collaboration with CiclismoAlDia (Spanish), CiclismoAtual (Portuguese), WielrennenUpToDate (Dutch), and RadsportAktuell (German), contributing to a shared editorial vision and consistent international coverage.
He also helps oversee editorial governance across the network, setting standards for accuracy and consistency and coordinating updates or corrections when needed.
Originally from the Porto metropolitan area in Portugal, he holds a bachelor’s degree in Geography. His path into cycling journalism was shaped not through formal media training, but through independent reporting, community engagement, and sustained on-the-ground involvement in the sport.
Over the course of his career, he has conducted approximately 100 interviews across road cycling and cyclocross, ranging from one-to-one conversations and online formats to press conferences and on-site pre- and post-race coverage. His interviews include leading riders, team managers, and prominent figures within cycling media: Tadej Pogacar, Jonas Vingegaard, Mathieu van der Poel, Primoz Roglic, Wout van Aert, Joao Almeida and Tom Pidcock; managers like Patrick Lefevere and Joxean Matxin; and YouTube personality Bryan Kennedy (BKXC)...
Within 18 months of launch, he helped grow CyclingUpToDate’s English-language platform into one of the most-read cycling news websites, built entirely from the ground up. As both a professional journalist and lifelong cycling enthusiast, his focus remains on delivering accurate, timely, and well-contextualized coverage.
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