"Tomorrow’s stage will be one of the most watched sporting events of the year” - Remco Evenepoel admits nervous anticipation as 2024 Tour de France takes to the gravel

After all the ups and downs of the first 8 stages at the 2024 Tour de France, the first section of the race ends in an eagerly anticipated gravel stage around Troyes on Sunday. For Remco Evenepoel, the nervous anticipation is already beginning to take hold.

Fortunately, as they approached such a crucial day at the Tour de France, Evenepoel and the other GC contenders enjoyed a relatively peaceful ride on stage 8, as Biniam Girmay secured his second stage victory in this Grand Tour, solidifying the Eritrean's dominance in the Green Jersey competition.

“In the end it was quite a good day, even if the start was a little difficult due to the legs from yesterday's time trial," the Soudal - Quick-Step leader reflects in his post-stage interview. "But then my teammates surrounded me well and I spent most of the stage at the front of the peloton. In the last km uphill, I just wanted to be careful not to stupidly lose time. So I stayed in front and finished 10th, but it was more by accident, I didn't do it on purpose."

"Looking ahead to tomorrow's stage, I'm both very excited and a little nervous," Evenepoel continues, casting his eye on arguably the most anticipated day of the whole Grand Tour. "I can't wait to discover these French gravel paths and at the same time I know that anything can happen. All riders involved in the general classification will want to be careful not to lose time. I know all the sectors, I have been to see the most difficult ones and honestly I like them. We will see the scenario, it will depend on the breakaway, if we have very strong riders in front or not. In any case, I have the impression that tomorrow’s stage will be one of the most watched sporting events of the year.”