Remco Evenepoel has travelled back to Belgium following his win at the World Championships, and yesterday at Binche - Chimay - Binche he had the opportunity to debut his new equipment, having the rainbow stripes on his back.
The Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl Team rider attacked on several occasions with around 60 kilometers to go, trying to force a group to go clear at the hilly classic. He was unsuccessful, and in the final half hour of racing he dropped back from the peloton in order to wait for his teammate Iljo Keisse who finished his pro career in the very same race.
“I quickly felt that the legs were bad. When they said on the radio that Iljo Keisse had been dropped, I wanted to ride with him on the final lap. I wanted to close in beauty, with Iljo. He has been very important to me," Evenepoel said after the finish. The 29-year old has raced with Quick-Step since 2010, and was present in Evenepoel's first pro race at the 2019 Vuelta a San Juan.
“I learned a lot from him and it was an honor to share the room with him. This was not pre-arranged with Iljo, but I just wanted to do it that way. It was pretty quiet in the end. We especially enjoyed the moment. He thought I was crazy for doing it, but I didn't want to let him ride alone," he continued.
“My season really couldn't have ended better. The encouragement during the race was also brilliant. To put on the jersey is something magical," Evenepoel concluded.
Last race of the season and the first one in my 🌈 jersey but mainly the one where we say goodbye to 3 legends with whom I had the honor to ride together. 🙏🏻🐺 Thank you for everything @IljoKeisse @zdenekstybar @PhilippeGilbert and I wish you the very best ❤️
