Tadej Pogacar on Remco Evenepoel's incredible comeback: "I wasn't impressed. This is what I expected from him"

The last time Tadej Pogacar and Remco Evenepoel have raced together was at last year's Il Lombardia, where both ended their 2024 seasons. Ever since Pogacar has went on to win the UAE Tour, Strade Bianche, Tour of Flanders; and podium both Milano-Sanremo and Paris-Roubaix. Evenepoel has suffered a massive crash but made his return Friday to win Brabantse Pijl, and the World Champion has commented on his rival.

"I saw a bit of the Brabantse Pijl. I wasn't impressed. This is what I expected from him, I knew he would return at this level," Pogacar said to several news outlets, including Wielerflits.

Although the Olympic Champion is a rider of a calliber like only a very select few in the peloton, a comeback after six months without racing and some pretty serious injuries did come as a surprise when he attacked the race several times and then beat Wout van Aert in an uphill sprint.

It is not adequate to say it is the very best Evenepoel, and in Amstel the endurance factor will play a much bigger role, however the Soudal - Quick-Step rider has shown enough level to be competitive where it matters and could be one of Pogacar's biggest rivals this Sunday.

As for Pogacar, his run-in into the race was quite a different one and much calmer, after a second place at Paris-Roubaix. “I had three quiet days and then I had to travel to the Netherlands. I didn’t do that much training this week. We’ll see today whether I did too much or too little".

The race was changed once again with the Cauberg being added to the finale once again, however that shouldn't really affect the race much. “I’m happy with the new final. It looks good. It’s nicer for everyone: for the fans, for us. It feels good to have the Cauberg at the end, that also makes it a bit harder," he concluded.