"Without that crash, I would’ve won the race" - Remco Evenepoel left rueing early fall at Amstel Gold Race 2025

Remco Evenepoel has hardly lost a beat after four months out through injury. Following a winning return to racing on Friday at Brabantse Pijl, the Soudal - Quick-Step leader put in a mammoth effort on Easter Sunday at the 2025 Amstel Gold Race, although he was ultimately forced to settle for 3rd spot on the podium.

Whilst he may not have won the race, Evenepoel did something that many have considered an impossibility over the last couple of years - he reeled back one of world champion Tadej Pogacar's trademark long-range solos. Pogacar had threatened to ride away to one of his typical solo masterpieces, but some powerful chasing by Evenepoel and Mattias Skjelmose did the impossible and pulled back the Slovenian. In the end though, it was Skjelmose that capitalised, sprinting to the win in a three-up fight for the line.

Afterwards, Evenepoel admitted he had mixed emotions having come so close to back to back victories on his return. “I’m standing here with mixed feelings,” Evenepoel began his post-race interview afterwards. “It’s good that we were finally able to reel Tadej back in. But I lost a lot of energy because of that crash. Without it, I would’ve won the race," he added, referring to an incident at just outside 100km to go that saw the Belgian hit the deck alongside Wout van Aert and Thibau Nys.

"If I’d been able to save that effort, I might’ve been able to attack again on the final ascent of the Cauberg. I’ll be back next year to win,” continues Evenepoel defiantly, admitting his final effort was far from perfect against Skjelmose and Pogacar. “In the sprint, I went a bit too early. If it comes down to a sprint in Liège, I won’t make the same mistake again. Still, I can’t really be disappointed, considering where I’m coming from.”