"The arrogance he radiated then is no longer there" - Romain Bardet praises the maturing Remco Evenepoel

Romain Bardet and Remco Evenepoel have had something of a budding bromance within the peloton recently, with the Frenchman's son even being gifted a Belgian National Champion's jersey.

Speaking to In de Leiderstrui, Bardet has opened up on the friendship between himself and the Soudal - Quick-Step leader. "To be honest, I was one of the first to have doubts about him," he admits honestly. "I first heard of Evenepoel when I spoke to Julian Alaphilippe. He told me that a junior was coming who would win everything and I was like: okay, that's with the juniors, I'll just have to see that in the World Tour."

It didn't take long for Evenepoel to begin to impress Bardet however. "I saw him win in Clasica San Sebastian in 2019, that was really bam! At that moment I thought: okay, we've got someone here," he recalls.

Although the Belgian was regarded as a rather cocky youngster back in his early day, since then though, Evenepoel has matured considerably Bardet believes. "Remco has also changed, the arrogance he radiated then is no longer there," he explains. "He is a very respected rider, by everyone."

"We have a very good relationship. We keep in good contact, even during the winter break. I think he's a really cool guy and I support him, because he has something special. All Grand Tour winners have that, but with him it feels different," Bardet continues. "The path he has taken in his life and career… it has not been a steady line, but he still has the aura of someone very special."