Remco Evenepoel, for his part, experienced infinite pleasure in pinning a new bib, number 41, on his prestigious Belgian champion jersey. Two months after his heavy fall at the Tour of the Basque Country, he advances with extreme caution in this very mountainous week. Whether it was Saturday at a press conference, Sunday at the start, in the mixed zone or on the presentation podium, he gave a speech never heard before in his mouth. “I am not yet at the peak of my potential. I suffered during the training in Sierra Nevada. I understood that I will have to be patient. My goal here is to get into rhythm. Mikel Landa and Ilan Van Wilder are in good shape and I will try to help them if the opportunity arises. My goal is to be better at the end of the week than today”he repeated.
The time trial world champion therefore believes that he wants to grow over the days and work well during the last three stages, which will be contested in the Alps. in his eyes, Wednesday’s time trial (34.4 km) from Saint-Germain-Laval to Neulise will constitute the big meeting. This, with a view to the two solo efforts that there will be at the Tour de France.
Should we be concerned about the great caution displayed by Evenepoel? Is he bluffing a little? At Soudal Quick-Step, we answer both questions in the negative. “Remco is still good, but it’s not bad that he’s realistic. He went two months without a race, that’s not nothingexplains Tom Steels, one of the three sports directors present. He is here because he has to compete to find his bearings within the peloton. It will take him a little time to get back to his best level. Even when he’s not quite at his best, Remco maintains a certain quality. In any case, being well now at the start of the Dauphiné is not essential to reveal your best face at the Tour. Remco still has time… And his presence in a race as demanding as this one can only do him good.”
Mads Pedersen hits double
The Dauphiné, three months after Paris-Nice, is also part of the process of taming French roads by Evenepoel. “This is why we never considered that he would instead do the Tour de Suisse, which begins a week later (from June 9 to 16),” specifies the former Belgian sprinter. According to Evenepoel, he could therefore put himself at the service of Landa or Van Wilder. “We will see from day to day which is the strongest of the three. I think a hierarchy will naturally be established during Wednesday’s time trial.”
gullAn ideal day to start racing again.
In the meantime, Evenepoel went through the first day in Allier in the anonymity of the peloton. He ranked 98th, the same time as the winner. “It was a perfect day to start racing again.explained the Belgian champion. Above all, I wanted not to take the slightest risk and avoid falling.” He therefore remained sheltered while the sprinters explained things to each other. And after 172.5 km, Mads Pedersen won and took on the yellow jersey.
This Monday, arrival at the summit of Col de la Loge
This Monday, Remco Evenepoel will already have the opportunity to see how his legs turn with the arrival at the top of the long Col de la Loge (10.9 km at 3.6% average) after having passed two 2nd category difficulties and as many 3rd category. This regular climb should allow him to climb onto the big plateau and maintain the same tempo. Enough to continue taking your bearings with complete peace of mind.
