"Reminds him a lot of Wollongong" - Can Evenepoel win the rainbow jersey again in a course similar to 2022?
CyclingThursday, 25 September 2025 at 11:50
Remco Evenepoel won his first and only road race world title at elite level thus far in Wollongong 2022, and after reconning the course in Kigali, he and Belgian national coach Serge Pauwels both agree that the course has similarities and this could be something that can come to the advantage of the Olympic Champion.
In the Belgian camp, there are new updated on the daily. This Thursday morning the road race events begin with the under-23 women, and for the first time it will be able to see how much of an impact the climbs will have on the riders and its influence in the race.
The Belgian group was also able to explore the course properly, now with closed roads and everything as is going to be over the coming days. Evenepoel had some special insight according to Serge Pauwels, who talked to VTM Nieuws: "The first thing he said was that the course reminds him a lot of Wollongong. That's true. It also gives me a different impression now than when I came here in early March, now that it's closed off by road barriers."
"I followed the Tour du Rwanda in the race back then, but it's quite different compared to the World Championships experience and the obstacles we have now," he explains, but by no means is that a negative surprise. "I think Remco was very hopeful and satisfied with the course. He did the big loop, and even though I couldn't talk to him about it yet, he's quite keen on the smaller one."
Evenepoel is already a winner, but he could make history if he adds another title to his current palmarès this Sunday. @Sirotti
The cobbles suit Evenepoel
Asked if it was similar to the Wollongong course where Evenepoel became World Champion in 2022 with a solo attack in Australia the answer was "yes, and when he said it, I had to agree with him. That Cote de Kigali Golf reminds me of the steep climb where he broke away from Alexey Lutsenko. But the roads are also very fast, and the asphalt is good."
"That cobbled climb is obviously new, but it suits him. Almost all the climbs have a spur, and that's what he likes, of course. When everyone is on the limit, he can shift up a gear."
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- Its very odd that he hasn't been signed yet. He's definitely overperformed his current contract.Veganpotter13-12-2025
- They left out the post-Tour races: Il Lombardia, Quebec, Montreal, Worlds at the very least. Not may race days, but what a list of races for the year. He’s turning into a classics rider who wins the Tour, more than a GC rider who wins the classics. (Maybe that happens this year already.)RidesHills13-12-2025
- In my opinion, it's a mistake. Lidl wanted the green jersey, Pedersen tried for many years and didn't get it, Milan did, so why this "punishment"?. Pedersen's profile has changed; he's still a fantastic rider, but he's no longer a sprinter capable of competing with the best (Merlier, Philipsen, Brennan, etc.). At best, he'll win a stage or two (probably in a breakaway). I don't understand Lidl's decision.
maria2024202413-12-2025 - He's a talent, but also he's a "kid". No pressure, please.maria2024202413-12-2025
- IMO they would be so much better off letting him win a couple races first.mij13-12-2025
- Not the only one, if he doesn't get what he wants at Lidl his attitude will be the sameslappers6613-12-2025
- He's the biggest French hope they had in years, they're squeezing the lemon to get the most media attention as possible. Of course they decided alreadyvappaxbipmv13-12-2025
- Very convenient to not acknowledge the facts I put out... That remco was more than a minute and 20 up. Even if remco lost 15 seconds every single mountain stage there after he'd still winbruins3013-12-2025
- bless Toon and his familymij13-12-2025
- he is so crazy confident. can’t wait to watch him back on the bike.mij13-12-2025
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