Tadej Pogacar "is still the best rider in the world" - Remco Evenepoel

Remco Evenepoel and Tadej Pogacar are part of the same generation, however are riders that, despite their similar amount of talent, have largely followed different career paths until now. Nevertheless, the respect the Belgian carries over Pogacar is impactful

“In my eyes, he is still the best rider in the world. We cannot talk about a ‘loss’ or a ‘crack’ with Tadej, and we should still show our respect because what he did is also phenomenal," Evenepoel said in a virtual press conference. He is currently training in Livigno, at altitude in preparation for the Vuelta a Espana, and has talked about the Tour de France which he has skipped in favour of the Spanish race.

“The day that Jumbo-Visma attacked him on the Galibier was one of the hardest days of his life. If you can handle it like that and still try to make the best out of it, then you only earn respect from all the riders and everyone inside and out of cycling. We should not talk in a negative way about Tadej," Evenepoel added. That day was where the Slovenian shed the most time, and eventually was dealt a killer blow as Jonas Vingegaard and Jumbo-Visma took hold of the race.

“He really didn’t crack, he just lost time two times, which can happen to anybody. I don’t think you can talk about a bad Tour. He won three stages, and was second on GC, won the white jersey," Evenepoel explained. “For sure, he is the guy that won the Tour twice in a row and also knowing that Jumbo-Visma is stronger and more stable than UAE. What Tadej did is still incredible. He did a lot of things alone in the last week".

The two were set to clash in the upcoming Vuelta, however Pogacar has decided not to take part in it, in order to have a better preparation towards the World championships where he will be one of the main favourites.