Volta ao Algarve a stepping stone for Remco Evenepoel who is "looking forward to Paris-Nice and the Ardennes"

Remco Evenepoel began his season with a dominant triumph at the Figueira Champions Classic and most expect the same at the Volta ao Algarve. The Soudal - Quick-Step rider starts the race as the man to bear, but is looking to use the Portuguese racing to prepare his main goals for the spring.

"That would be nice, I think it's always a very nice race from a very high level pretty early in the season. I think that's something that suits me and it's always nice to get away with a good result here and with a good feeling," the Belgian champion shared with CyclingPro.Net at the start line today in Portimão.

"I always feel like getting out of this race in better shape than coming in is something that should help me. With looking forward to Paris-Nice and the Ardennes period is something that we pretty early decided," he tells. With the Tour de France as the main goal for the summer, Evenepoel finds more freedom to properly prepare for his goals in the spring, and they will include battles with Primoz Roglic, Jonas Vingegaard and Tadej Pogacar all separately. An important year in the 24-year old's career.

"You always have to be careful not to be too good too soon but for me, when I'm good early I often have a pretty long stable shape so it's something we decided to have in function of the Ardennes," he concludes. "For now we're on a good track still with the Tour de France very far away." The first stage in the Algarve will be a day to save for Evenepoel, who will later in the week have days where he is set to be a big favourite.