There was, therefore, not much suspense to be expected this Sunday evening when the results were revealed in the Sky Hall at Zaventem airport. For the fourth time (after 2019, 2022 and 2023), the person who will not turn 25 until the 25th of the month is, therefore, best Belgian Sportsman of the year. Only Stefan Everts (5 times) and Eddy Merckx (6) have done better. This shows the place that the leader of Soudal Quick-Step already takes in the history of black-yellow-red sport. “It’s a nice fact to know”reacts the runner, who would have come “even if (he) had been on training”. “I live for my job which I try to do as best as possible. This kind of trophy means that I did things well.”
gullThere’s a little complication with my shoulder.”
This Sunday, this plebiscite (156 votes in preference out of 219 voters!) gave him a little morale boost. It acted a bit like a bandage on a wound. “I’m going through difficult timeshe explained, in fact. Last Thursday’s scan was reasonably positive but there is a small complication with my shoulder. It turns out that the connection between the muscles and nerves in the right shoulder has not yet been restored. As a result, I lack strength. On Saturday, I trained at the physiotherapist for an hour but my shoulder didn’t react well. I’m going to try to do my first session on rollers tomorrow (this Monday therefore), but this injury will take much longer to heal completely than the one following my fall in April at the Tour of the Basque Country.”
gullThis injury hurts me more mentally.”
Although this is not his first long rehabilitation, Evenepoel admits that he does not feel very calm at the moment. “Yes, it’s difficult. I know all the steps to redo to return to a higher level and it’s not easy. This injury hurts me more mentally because it’s more complicated. I have to be patient and courageous. I have no choice.”
Remco Evenepoel gives us his news: “I have an idea at the moment: riding the four Ardennes classics”
Morally touched, the double Olympic champion admits to navigating a certain uncertainty. For now, he clings to hope. That of being ready for the Flèche Brabançonne, on April 18, before continuing with the three Ardennes classics: the Amstel Gold Race (April 20), the Flèche Wallonne (April 23) and Liège-Bastogne-Liège (27 april). “I aspire to be able to follow this program but I don’t really know anything about it. I have to see the progress day by day. Honestly, that’s it for the Tour. As for the rest… (Editor’s note: he does not finish his sentence and pretends to throw something over his shoulder). I hope to find my best level for the Tour…”
Looking lost in thought, the winner of the 2022 Vuelta clutches his trophy like others cling to a lifebuoy. Even if he has extraordinary mental strength – “It is by recovering from such situations that you become a great champion”he recalls – we feel Remco Evenepoel weakened by the period he is currently going through. “We sometimes underestimate the importance of the shoulder for a cyclist. It must be in place to pass certain sectors, especially cobblestones. But there is one at Flèche Brabançonne. I hope it will go well”he adds.
At almost 25 years old, Remco Evenepoel is going through a new stage in his career. He would have been fine without it but will try to use it to come back.”even stronger than before. But I have to take my time.”he concluded with a smile tinged with annoyance.
Sportsman of the year 1. Remco Evenepoel (cycling) 948 pts 2. Thierry Neuville (rally) 583 pts 3. Bashir Abdi (athletics) 558 pts 4. Alexander Doom (athletics) 269 pts 5. Bart Swings (speed skating) 96 pts 6. Toumani Camara (basketball) 72 pts 7. Jasper Philipsen (cycling) 68 pts 8. Fabio Van den Bossche (track cycling) 67 pts 9. Wout van Aert (cycling) 65 pts 10. Lindsay De Vylder (track cycling) 59 pts
