"You could just give them the middle finger" - Can Remco Evenepoel decisively silence criticism at European Championships?
Cycling
Remco Evenepoel has been backed to send a definitive message to his critics following his World Championships disappointment - sending a figurative response to media and vocal fans at Sunday's European Championships elite men's road race.
The Belgian arrives once again as a lead contender, but this time in a field with less contenders than Montreal and a course with 70 kilometres less and a less-demanding nature of circuit for the Red Bull rider. He once again carries the favourite tag ahead of the race.
However, the 26-year-old has been told to channel his anger from Montreal into his performance, with one analyst describing it as a perfect way to stick it to vocal fans, and the media.
“Evenepoel is obviously upset,” Dekker said on the Live Slow Ride Fast podcast.
“He’s upset with himself, but the media hasn’t exactly made things easy for him either. Everyone in Flanders has an opinion about it. Will a European Championship win make up for it all? In a way, yes, but it wasn’t just a case of falling just short on Sunday.”
Remco Evenepoel in action at the 2026 Montreal World Championships
Evenepoel has chance to silence critics
Although a European jersey isn't as prestigious as the Worlds' rainbow jersey, a win is a win for the Belgian. Dekker believes that it would go along way towards silencing criticism and both his anger and a less difficult parcours suits him.
"You could just give them the middle finger and say, 'That's good enough for me.'
“If he’s just as good as he was on Sunday, he definitely has a chance. It’s just 80 kilometers less than last week. And it’s straightforward—it’s five two-kilometer segments he has to focus on. But I think he’ll be better. Because he’s angry. That really fuels him.”
When it comes to contenders, Primoz Roglic and Gilio Ciccone stick out in a field missing several potential contenders who opted not to ride the race. Dekker notes that even a Ciccone attack is salvageable for Evenepoel with rolling terrain, a descent and flat run-in to the finish after the circuit's climb.
Mads Pedersen warning
“Suppose someone gives you a hard time on that little climb. Where would a Ciccone, having a world-class day, ride off to if you were Evenepoel?"
However, in a word of warning, Dekker believes that Mads Pedersen should be one to watch. His battling Montreal performance saw him steadily close down the favourites in the final hours of racing, signalling that his form could be enough to even contend in a climbing-heavy course in Slovenia.
“We’ll definitely have to keep an eye on him [Mads Pedersen, Ed.]. His performance on Sunday has given him even more confidence. Now he’s thinking: maybe I’ll become European champion.”
Gavin QuinnCycling Journalist
Gavin Quinn is a cycling journalist and ultra-distance cyclist with a BA in Journalism from Dublin City University. Formerly the Press & Communications Officer for Cycling Ireland, Gavin has worked inside the national team at the World Championships and has reported for the Irish Mirror, Mirror UK, and The42.
His expertise is backed by elite-level access, having interviewed stars like Sam Bennett and Ben Healy, as well as immense personal endurance. In 2025, he completed a 12,000km solo cycle from Ireland to Vietnam, following a 4,600km tour across Europe. From the cobbles of Paris-Roubaix to the gradients of the Tourmalet, Gavin’s writing focuses on the "romance and brutality" of the sport. Having visited 50+ countries, he brings a global, cultural perspective to his coverage of the pro peloton for CyclingUpToDate.
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- A deserved win by the Aero Bullet. I know he isn’t loved by all cycling fans, but I for one am looking forward to seeing him in the European bands! Chapeau Remco.anonymouscyclist04-10-2026
- Bro he just barely won after silly crash and no tactics and more importantly no Pogi or other top riders. If he wants to give middle finger, he can do so to assuage his ego. But facts remain facts. Beat Pogi and other top riders in important races and then no need to give any middle finger at all, actions speak louder than wordsabstractengineer04-10-2026
- best constructed roster, i would say best imploding roster would be a better choice of wordsabstractengineer04-10-2026
- There is no space for Lipo due to the size of Remco's Ass, Me Myself & no Ballsabstractengineer04-10-2026
- Hey poultrybird2002, RidesHills is lying... Ciccone won!!! ... Now you can watch, because you don't know who's telling the truth. :))PogiSloFans04-10-2026
- Thanks Will not bother watching race now you toolpaultryan200204-10-2026
- Why didn’t Ciccone throw his bike?! He lost the race in the last tenth of a second. What a disappointment that must be, and what a win for Evenepoel after all the work he did. His anger worked for him at the end, it seems.RidesHills04-10-2026
- An emotional goodbye when Mezgec stepped off his bike just now. Yesterday’s farewell to Quintana was touching and beautiful, and this moment with Mezgec is fabulous as well. I like that we honor those that managed to inspire and win and keep going even as cycling changed and changed and changed.RidesHills04-10-2026
- At visma riders, coaches and staff are leaving mid contract its not hard to get their falling apart lol... If you can read they can win when the best dont show up. Giro and vuelta is secondary. Thats exactly what im saying their not top 3 anymore RBH and LIld have better rosters its just facts. Vs the best Visma have no teeth in TDF etc vs the best their irrelevant there Jonas constantly isolated etc and it wont get better cause visma is broke compared to the other top 3 teams. UAE obv in their own league but RBH asnd lidl above visma now too for top 3. Its just facts and not hard to see at all, very telling aswell when riders, coaches and staff leave mid contracts the rest goes without saying..miguel04-10-2026
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