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Will Remco Evenepoel share leadership duties at the next Tour de France - "Seven flat stages, you can’t ignore that, right?" Patrick Lefevere says
CyclingWednesday, 30 October 2024 at 11:39
Soudal - Quick-Step have seen Remco Evenepoel do a perfect Tour de France this year, which resulted in a stage win and spot in the final podium alongside Tadej Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard. Could he repeat the same next year? Perhaps, but he might have to share leadership duties alongside Tim Merlier according to Patrick Lefevere.
The route was revealed to have a time-trial in the first week alongside several hilly days which greatly benefits the 24-year old. "But Remco can also ride uphill. That number of kilometers does not seem like much, but you do not lose or win the Tour there. I think there is something in it," Lefevere shared with Sporza. “He doesn’t have to attack himself, he just has to lose less time. In one of the stages in the most recent Tour, he lost a few minutes. I don’t see that happening anymore. He’s a year older".
Evenepoel rode a very consistent race and had great support with Mikel Landa in the mountains. But if Tadej Pogacar shows the same level, taking the win is virtually impossible and Jonas Vingegaard is also expected to slightly improved with an early off-season start.
With UAE Team Emirates and Team Visma | Lease a Bike taking incredibly strong teams to the Tour, it will end up being impossible to defend himself if he finds himself in a direct battle with the rival teams. "But danger lurks around every corner. In the Tour, you have to stay calm for three weeks. What he did this year was a bit anti-Remco, but he still came third.”
The team may instead split focus, with some riders supporting Remco Evenepoel whilst European Champion Tim Merlier is given the opportunity to chase wins in the sprints: “Seven flat stages, you can’t ignore that, right? We have to think about that carefully. I don’t decide everything, but I would say it should be possible.”
But this depends on clear communication in the team, and whether both leaders are ok with the situation. “Very clear agreements have to be made. But Tim can pull his plan, he’s a good guy and a lead-out like Bert Van Lerberghe can also protect Remco from the wind. Tim himself doesn't feel too good to ride in front. I like the exercise. We can only select eight riders. It's a puzzle for us. Is Remco open to that? Now he says yes. But tomorrow it might be something else. No, he says yes."
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