"This one is for Patrick Lefevere" - Remco Evenepoel dedicates 1,000th* Soudal - Quick-Step win to retired team boss

Remco Evenepoel quite simply proved a cut above the rest of the peloton on the stage 4 individual time trial at the 2025 Criterium du Dauphiné on Wednesday afternoon. As a result, the Belgian also finishes the day in the Maillot Jaune of race leader.

“It was a tough time trial — it reminded me of the Tour de France last year. The goal was to ride as fast as possible to the intermediate checkpoint and then settle into a steady pace," Evenepoel explained of his tactics when speaking to the media afterwards. "The strong headwind after the climb actually worked in my favour. It allowed me to really make the most of my position on the bike and the power I was able to produce. The pacing strategy was spot-on today. I just wanted to go all-in for the win. I wasn’t really thinking about the general classification.”

In the process, Evenepoel secured what Soudal - Quick-Step claim to be the 1,000th win in the history of the team - although that fact is being widely contested online by some of cycling's most highly regarded stats websites. Nevertheless, this win is a real moment of pride for Evenepoel. “I’m proud to have delivered win number 1,000. This one is for Patrick Lefevere, for everything he’s done for this team over the years. This victory is a tribute to his entire career,” says the Belgian.

The question now though, is if Evenepoel can keep the Maillot Jaune all the way to the end of the race. With a 16 second lead on Jonas Vingegaard and a 38 second advantage on Tadej Pogacar, it's still all to play for.

“Hopefully we can get through tomorrow’s stage safely, and then we’ll head into the tough final weekend. It will probably end in a bunch sprint, although nowadays you can never be too sure," Evenepoel concludes. "I’m happy that the gap was so big after a relatively short time trial. I’m satisfied with how I’m feeling on the bike — the climb went exactly as I had hoped today. Of course, there will be pressure from other teams, but this performance definitely gives me confidence.”