Remco Evenepoel and Oumaïma “Oumi” Rayane grew up on the same street in Schepdaal, but became friends when they were 17, before getting engaged and then married last year. “A cyclist was not my type at all, but something clicked. A deep connection has developed between us”, told Oumi Rayane to the Dutch-language magazine “Story”. The young woman of Moroccan origin, who lives in the shadow of the world cycling champion, confides that the latter, with “his very busy schedule, his training courses and his races”, often does not have time to spend good times with her.
To read: Oumaïma Oumi Rayane and Remco Evenepoel, a childhood sweetheart
“The times when we can leave together are very rare. Lots of friends my age go on trips with their companions. It’s completely normal but, with Remco and me, it’s not at all obvious. Believe me: our life is more boring than that of the average Belgian. We spend more time in bed or in the chair than many people our age. Everything is planned. We can compare this life to that of a father. There is nothing glamorous. We are simple people. His schedule is very strict, although we try to find time for ourselves. We have to make a lot of sacrifices to achieve the goals. Otherwise, we don’t get to the top,” she reveals.
To read: Oumaima “Oumi” Rayane “is capital in the ecosystem of Remco Evenepoel”
For now, the couple is focused on Remco’s career. “Cycling is the top priority. And that means I largely live by his career. I adapt to his way of life. But I don’t see it as a burden. His dreams have also become mine. We work hard together to achieve them. All the pieces of the puzzle must fit together so that Remco is at the top physically and mentally”, specifies Oumi who does not fail to accompany her lover during some of his internships and to “comfort” him when “he does not feel in shape after bad training” or when “there is criticism of him”.
To read: Marriage of Remco Evenepoel and Oumaima Oumi Rayane
In addition to being the “moral support” of her husband, Oumi Rayane is also a good housewife. “I do household chores, laundry and cooking as well. For an athlete, it must be healthy, fresh and balanced. With as much protein as carbohydrates. All this, I do with pleasure”, underlines the Moroccan who agreed “out of love” to put her life “on hold for Remco”. “It’s not always fun or easy. When Remco does an eight-hour session, I stay alone at the hotel… Sometimes we don’t see each other for a month, it’s difficult. The advantage is that when we see each other again, it’s really exciting”, assures Oumi who confides that they would also like “to have children, if nature allows us”.
