"You guys haven't taught Remco how to race tactically in six years!": Chris Horner blames Lefevere's incompetence for Evenepoel's departure

For Remco Evenepoel, his transfer from Soudal - Quick-Step to Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe is an opportunity for a fresh start in a new environment. And the Belgian set off to a great start going three for three in his first starts in the new jersey. But the main part of his season will not revolve around Mallorca Challenge races, but rather around his battles with Tadej Pogacar at Tour de France and during Monuments. So far, Evenepoel is on a fairly nasty losing streak if we exclude timetrials, but there's a hope that surrounded by an even stronger team than Quick-Step, maybe things will finally click for the Olympic champion.

"In his column, Patrick Lefevere says that, if he was the Belgian national coach at the 2024 Road World Championships when Tadej Pogacar attacked, he would have just went to all the other teams right after he attacked and had talks with the other teams and would have brought up the exact same strategy as I suggested," Chris Horner opens his Youtube analysis, "to organize a chase behind, and hold Pogacar on a tight leash for next 25, 40 kilometers, draining out his energy."

Horner definitely loves this strategy, but quickly points out a massive flaw in Lefevere's ideal: "If you would have done it, why did you need six, seven years to teach Remco how to race against a rider like Tadej Pogacar?"

Horner continues to stir salt in the wound: "Remco is by far not well-trained. He is very fit. He's got pro legs. They are amazing. I have told you guys many times that after Tadej Pogacar, I would sign Remco Evenepoel. But the moment I signed Remco, I'd have had a little talk with him and said, 'Hey, can I tweak your tactics some? Can I teach you how to let Tadej Pogacar go up the road at 100K to go?'"

But what's the reason Evenepoel (just like everyone else) struggle to solve the riddle that is defeating Tadej Pogacar? Horner is positive that the liability lies (almost) exclusively with Soudal - Quick-Step's management and especially Patrick Lefevere. And that his decision to leave was the only way to take a step forward after years of running in circles.

"You wonder why the wonder kid from Belgium wants to leave Soudal - Quick-step, Patrick Lefevere? It's because you guys haven't done enough to help him out to become a better rider and win more bigger races."

"Why would he want to leave a team where he was the sole leader going over there to Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe, when here he is the sole leader?," Horner quotes Lefevere's rhetoric question. "Well, it's because you guys didn't do anything to help prepare him properly! Remco is 26, and you guys haven't taught him tactically how to race his bike yet."

"Of course, it was time to leave the team and go to a stronger team," Horner seems satisfied with Evenepoel's choice to join Ralph Denk's team, even though he has reservations. "Tactically I'm not certain if they're going to be able to teach Remco anything either, but certainly at least he has a stronger team built up around him where he's going to have some more teammates deeper in the race than he did have at Quick-Step."