Remco Evenepoel will not start the road race Belgian Championships this Sunday. Sacred last year, Evenepoel will therefore not defend his black-yellow-red jersey. His team Soudal Quick-Step announced on his social networks that he had fallen ill (a cold) and therefore had to give up the Belgian Championships.
Cyrille Guimard returned to the Remco Evenepoel case
A mysterious “minor illness”
The Belgian team, however, explained that it was only a minor illness but that it was better not to take any risks in view of the Tour de Francenext objective of Remco Evenepoel. “Although it is only a minor illness, Remco and our team have decided that after an extended period in a high camp, it would be best for him not to start what will be a competitive and demanding race and that it does not risk further disrupting his preparation for the next Tour de France and the Olympic Games.”
“Winning the race last year and wearing this beautiful jersey was very special and I am very disappointed not to be able to defend my title due to a minor illness. Everyone knows that when I race I want to go all in and even if I’m not very ill, I won’t be able to run 100%. Good luck to all my teammates, I hope we can keep the jersey in the team.”added Remco Evenepoel.
We know that it is obligatory for Belgian riders to participate in their championship if they subsequently want to be selected for the national team. Without wanting to immediately cry conspiracy, we remember in particular the mysterious “minor illness” of Wout Van Aert at this same time of year in 2022… No doubt a choice to continue preparation rather than inflict a day of racing, with all the risks that entails.
