"Remco has a hard time getting rid of that" - Has Tom Boonen found what Remco Evenepoel must correct to improve in 2025?
Cycling
Remco Evenepoel enjoyed a remarkable 2024 season,
solidifying his status as one of the brightest stars in cycling. The
23-year-old Belgian finished third at the Tour de France, on his debut at
cycling’s biggest race, and went on to win double gold at the Olympic Games in
Paris. However, not everyone in the Belgian cycling world is fully convinced by
Evenepoel's approach, including six-time Tour stage winner and 2005 World
Champion Tom Boonen.
Speaking on the Stamcafé Koers, Boonen shared his thoughts on Evenepoel’s competitive mindset,
drawing parallels to his own experience during his illustrious career. Boonen
recounted an incident from the 2009 Tour of Flanders, where his former teammate
Filippo Pozzato closely marked him throughout the race, effectively
neutralising Boonen’s chances of victory.
“He really fucked me over that day,” Boonen recalled, before
reflecting on the situation with perspective. “I get paid to win, he gets paid
to win. And he might also get paid to lose me. If he gets an order from his
boss, I understand that. I might have done the same.”
Boonen used this story to critique the Soudal - Quick-Step rider's tendency
to perceive others' tactics as targeted aggression. “That is sometimes the
problem with Remco. Remco has a hard time getting rid of that. ‘They are riding
against me.’ No, they are riding to win. And because they want to win, you have
to lose.”
Boonen explained that being able to set aside such
frustrations is a crucial skill in professional cycling. “I could do that. I
could separate that. You have a competition, from start to finish, and then
it's over. Everyone has a different interest. You have to be able to set that
aside. That has been a strength, that ability to put things into perspective.”
While acknowledging that handling intense competition can be
overwhelming, Boonen also admitted that even he struggled at times. “Although I
have sometimes rushed myself on screen. Sometimes it’s just too much. But you
have to be able to handle that.”
Fin MajorCycling Journalist
Fin Major is a UK-based writer at CyclingUpToDate and has been part of the team since 2024. He is the site’s main writer for FAQs and evergreen explainers and has written around 2,000 pieces for the platform. Alongside this work, he focuses on in-depth analysis and covers the biggest races on the calendar, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, providing clear context around performance trends, tactics, and key storylines.
In his reporting, Fin uses reputable data sources such as ProCyclingStats for results, statistics, and historical context. He places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. Outside of writing, Fin is an active cyclist, which supports his practical understanding of the sport and its demands.
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