Sormano does not yet resonate in the hearts of cycling lovers like Arenberg, Poggio, la Redoute or Vieux Kwaremont. Former justice of the peace of the Tour of Lombardy, the Wall of the same name saw some fly away on its climb and others fall heavily on a descent now considered too dangerous. Remco Evenepoel was one of them at a time, in 2020, when he was a great hope for world cycling. Everything could have ended there for him, four years ago.
If the Belgian from Soudal Quick-Step had returned to the Tour of Lombardy the following year (for an anonymous 19th place) but also in 2023 (9th), he never again crossed Sormano in competition, rule of alternation obliges between Como (even years) and Bergamo (odd years) as the scene of the arrival of the Tour of Lombardy. So, on the eve of the last Monument of the season, Evenepoel had to tell how he approached this inevitably special moment.
Nine months to get back on the bike, more to rebuild
Remco being what he is, he started his press conference with a joke: “I think it will be a little harder to miss the turn this year. We go uphill so I think the speed won’t be high enough to miss it, that’s positive.” The Mur de Sormano has, like other climbs including the legendary Madonna del Ghisallo, undergone the numerous route changes of the Tour of Lombardy and the riders will not approach it in the same direction in 2024.
“I hope not to witness a collective resignation in the face of Pogacar”
Still, the place is full of history for him. His fall had left him with a fractured pelvis, a bruised lung and, above all, immense fear, for him first, then his loved ones, and finally the cycling observers. It had taken him nine times to get back on the bike, a little more to rebuild himself. Rather than putting this bad memory away, he faced it.
“I think that moment is in the pasthe assures, and for good reason. JI went there last year after the race and I think it was a good decision to have a moment with myself and with Oumi (his partner, Editor’s note) to look at the bridge and analyze what I had done harm. I think it helped me be less afraid on the roads and in general.” Behind the boy’s provocative side hides a man who is aware of his faults and who never refrains from confronting them. Evenepoel also welcomed the decision of the organizers to no longer take this descent where he was not Besides, not the only one to fall.
Stronger and more mature
“I think I’m completely over this moment. It made me stronger and more maturecontinues Evenepoel. It helped me accept things more easily than before. I don’t think it means anything special to me anymore. That’s the past and I think since then I’ve managed to do good things.” Rather yes since since then he has won a grand tour (the Vuelta 2022), two Monuments (Liège-Bastogne-Liège 2022 and 2023) but also two world champion titles and as many at the Olympics.
The funniest thing? The fastest? The most stylish? Alaphilippe and Evenepoel seen by Magnier
“I’m going to go there with a golden bikehe also remarked in reference to the mount he has used since his two Parisian coronations. I have good emotions when I cross the bridge now“. Will it be enough to resist the Tadej Pogacar tornado which takes everything in its path in 2024? Not necessarily, especially since the Belgian admits not to be in top form at the end of the season.
