Return to the Vuelta a Espana remains an option for Remco Evenepoel despite Patrick Lefevere's protestations

Winning the first Grand Tour of his career last year at the Vuelta a Espana, a possible return to the race in order to defend his title for Remco Evenepoel reportedly remains an option for the Belgian.

After being cruelly forced to abandon the Giro d'Italia whilst wearing the Maglia Rosa after testing positive for covid, the rumour mill immediately went into overdrive. Would Evenepoel race the Tour de France? Would he return to Spain and try to claim back-to-back Vuelta a Espana titles? Soudal - Quick-Step team boss, Patrick Lefevere moved quickly to deny these plans.

Now though, new reports in Het Laatste Nieuws claim that despite Lefevere's protestations, Evenepoel remains undecided about whether or not his Grand Tour racing for the year is over.

Confirmed to be returning to action at the Tour de Suisse, the Tour de France is seemingly out of the question for Evenepoel. The Vuelta however, could well be the race for him. After becoming the first Belgian winner of a Grand Tour in 44 years, only time will tell if he returns.