"You can clearly see that he is at his limit" - Remco Evenepoel maintains Lombardia preparations despite form difficulties

Remco Evenepoel has showed a very high level at the World Championships after a rocky preparation, but he is now seemingly struggling from fatigue. At the Giro dell'Emilia he abandoned after getting something in his eyes but many speculated he abandoned due to bad legs. At Coppa Bernocchi however it was made clear that he does also lack his best legs at the moment, but is sticking to the original plan to prepare for Il Lombardia.

Yesterday at the Coppa Bernocchi, Evenepoel went on the attack from far, but then did not have the legs to bridge across to the front group whilst others did. “The sobering conclusion is that Pavel Sivakov did eventually make it to the leading group. When Remco is really at his best, he also pulls through and does make the difference,” team DS Klaas Lodewyck told Het Laatste Nieuws following Coppa Bernocchi.

Evenepoel was the headliner in the Italia one-day race, part of the Autumn classics block, but didn't obtain the result he hoped for. A modest 53rd place stood in the results sheet as he arrived in the peloton - whilst the victory would be battled amongst those in the leading group where he attempted to be in. It was not the best Evenepoel, but the team is sticking to it's plan.

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“But you can clearly see that he is at his limit. Not when he is just cycling, at a steady pace. But he is fully committed," Lodewyck assures, also making it clear that it is both sides' option to race Tre Valli Varesine today against the likes of Tadej Pogacar and Tom Pidcock, before resting for Saturday's big race. "The key now is to recover well and see what can still come out of it in the coming days.”

Tre Valli Varesine will be the final racing test, a race that will suit Evenepoel quite well, but the very harsh weather will surely make for a very difficult obstacle for the Belgian. “They are indeed predicting an enormous amount of rain. Weather in which you can hardly race. But anyway, we will see what is decided (it has in the meantime been confirmed that the race will take place, albeit with less two laps in the circuit, ed.)."

"We have to see. And first talk to Remco. Ask how he is actually feeling and adjust that to what is likely to happen on Tuesday. If it is really bad, we can still take our precautions. But until further notice, we will stick to the original plan,” he concluded.

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Soudal Quick-Step Pro Cycling Team

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Ready for a rainy day in Italy 🌧️ #TreValliVaresine Photo: @BeelWout

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