"Remco is not Pogacar" - Johan Bruyneel strongly argues against Tour of Flanders debut for Olympic Champion
Cycling
Remco Evenepoel's schedule will be decided in the next few days with the route reveal of the Giro d'Italia. Along the decision to race (or not race) the Corsa Rosa will come the decision to focus on the spring classics, and make his debut in races such as Milano-Sanremo and Tour of Flanders where he could perform. But Johan Bruyneel believes this would be a big mistake and a huge risk for little reward.
"You can do the Tour of Flanders and the Giro," Bruyneel argued in The Move podcast. However he favours the traditional run-up through the Ardennes ahead of the Giro if he is to make that decision. "It's difficult for me to see Remco take a pass on Flèche Wallonne and Liège-Bastogne-Liège which are closer to the Giro. I read that too Spencer (that Evenepoel could potentially race the Tour of Flanders, ed.), I'm absolutely not a fan of this idea".
Bruyneel doesn't believe there is the potential for a victory, hence any risk is likely not worth it. "Tour of Flanders... Remco is not Pogacar. Tour of Flanders is such a special race, I don't see it as a benefit, there's a lot of risks involved, already by definition Remco is not the best in positioning, and if there is one race where positioning is key - even if you live in the area - if you've never raced it, forget about". Bruyneel talks of experience too, having lived in the area the race takes place in.
"I lived in the bottom of the Bosberg, I've done the Tour of Flanders once my first year of professional and said 'ok I'm not coming back to this crazy race again and I never did it again'. I don't know what the benefit would be for Remco, of course the fans would love it in Belgium but I don't see him in position to be a factor in the race. And if that's not the case why would you do it, it's just unnecessary risks".
The hardest race technically?
Evenepoel can however certainly perform in Flanders, as he thrives in the short climbs, and the climb in the last few years has become less and less tactical with the emergence of Mathieu van der Poel and Tadej Pogacar, who are often head and shoulders above the competition and can comfortably make the difference uphill.
Spencer Martin pushes forward the technical aspect of the race, perhaps even putting it above Paris-Roubaix in terms of positioning. "As a fan I kind of like it. You bring a good point, it does take a lot of skill, it's probably the toughest race from a skill perspective because you need to know where you're going the whole time," he argues.
"But could he go away early, and he is so aero he stays away and wins? The last two climbs are so slow that he would have to have - it's hard to imagine him staying in front of those guys". The climbs to benefit Evenepoel, and if the race opens up early enough, then certainly he could well fight for the win.
"It's a rumour it's not confirmed, if I was DS or GM I would strongly advice against it because it's not worth the risk," Bruyneel stresses. "Let's not forget Remco is constantly coming back from bad luck. First of all his crash in Lombardia (2020, ed.) it was a big big crash when he fell out of that bridge. Then his crash at the Basque Country broken collarbone, ribs, whatever..."
"Really really difficult to come back from and last winter again an accident with a car. He doesn't need another one of those and putting him in the environment of the Tour of Flanders... They will call me too old-fashioned, too conservative, but if I am the one who has to give him advice - and maybe he wouldn't listen, probably he wouldn't listen - but if this is confirmed I think it is a bad idea," he concluded.
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.
claps 0visitors 0
Just in
Popular news
Latest comments
- I think Jonas would have lost the TDF by 4+ minutes (at the least) and might not have even been in the top 3. Too much talent in the younger riders to say anyone not named Pogačar would have been top 3md197503-11-2026
- this is just stupid. you already have 23%, gravel is over the topabstractengineer03-11-2026
- There was once a time when Lance was supremely popular and he used his artificial "It's Not About the Bike: My Journey Back to Life" persona to lead his mob in going after Greg. There was no one Lance did not abuse in protecting his phony hero image. Lance promoted himself as a divine megastar and he let down millions of cancer victims and gullible devotees who clung far too long to the charade. Lance is the epitome of a corrupt person and because of his power, many around him, including business enterprises, succumbed to the evil. All who got in Armstrong's way were mercilessly attacked by him and his minions. This remarkably continues today with a new generation. LeMond was a number one enemy and paid a huge price. Who do you think slandered who?Yepperoni03-11-2026
- You despise him because he calls out the truth....OK clown !frieders303-11-2026
- JV is really slighting himself with not doing the 1 dayers.. 🤷
leedorney02-11-2026 - Watch the interview on youtube. I don't speak French. I do speak English and Spanish and you can hear it in his voice. Years ago LeMond had real personal problems I imagine in no small part because of Armstrong. then Armstrong goes round "full blast" re: LeMond having drinking and drug problems. The same way Andreu was expelled from mainstream cycling so was LeMond. On the positive side the clips of the ride and chatting with old teammates and was good. To seemed like a fun day and experience and good reason brush up his French.atom02-11-2026
- and another no-news article around the ‚2 tokyo jogging rounds‘ headline, this time spiced with some days old ‚news‘ that the LA and japan vacation trips come during or after the tdf route release. i am getting more and more annoyed by this time-stealing no-news crap. but who am i to complain? nobody forces me to come back for more ‚news‘ day after day …Ketterechts02-11-2026
- It would likely be a very steep section of 4.1 km, not changing the average gradient considerably, with the climb remaining 10.1 km at 11.8%. It would reach 20% on the gravel. It would start 1.6 km in, and finish with 4.2 km left to climb (before the short final descent)
Rafionain-Glas02-11-2026 - Welcome to the off-season.
santiagobenites02-11-2026 - guillaume martin in this list is quite a surprise as a gc rider.Ketterechts02-11-2026
Loading
Write a comment