2023-11-10 10:04:00
On November 13 and 14, the Soudal Quick-Step riders should know their 2024 program. That of Remco Evenepoel is eagerly awaited. And following seeing the routes of the Tours of Italy and France, Brabançon might decide to do the Giro before the Grande Boucle. This, especially since he has a score to settle with a round that he had to abandon during his two participations (in 2021 and 2023). Here are eight reasons likely to push him to make this choice.
1. The Giro offers him a dream route
If the organizers had appealed to Evenepoel by unveiling the route of the Giro 2023, we can say that they went down on their knees to have the Belgian champion depart from Turin on May 4. There will be another 70 kilometers of time trials and, this time, they will both be completely flat, which perfectly matches the power and aerodynamics of the world champion in the discipline. Of course, the mountains will be there but the route will not make life easier for pure climbers, since only the final of the Livigno stage will take place at an altitude of more than 2000 meters. Therefore, if, as the Gazzetta dello Sport states, Wout van Aert can aim for a top 5 finish on May 26 in Rome, what can we say regarding Remco Evenepoel?
2. The Tour lays out the red carpet for Vingegaard
The Tour route is the polar opposite of that of the Giro: very difficult and ultra-mountainous. From the 4th day, the peloton will be treated to mountains. He will also have to do a gravel stage. And the third week is going to be nothing short of scary. However, even at Soudal Quick-Step, we admit not knowing how the former world champion will react to this final straight line. There are times, but fewer than at the Giro (59 km), and only 25 kilometers will be run on flat ground. The one on the last day is designed for climbers and, therefore, for Vingegaard, who had defeated Pogacar on a similar route last summer. Additionally, aerodynamics will not be a deciding factor.
3. Aiming to win the Tour means skipping a stage
Since it was incubated by Patrick Lefevere, Remco Evenepoel’s plan has been as clear as crystal. Playing to win at the Vuelta, then at the Giro and, finally, at the Tour. If he was able to do it in Spain in 2022 with the final victory in the end, the Covid prevented him from fighting for the podium in Italy last May. If he does not try his luck this year at the Giro, he will therefore skip a level, whereas, until now, he is following his career plan to the letter.
4. Less competition at the Giro
Even if the competitor that he is wants to face – and, above all, beat – the best, Remco Evenepoel will have many more possibilities to write one more line to his record at the Giro. Primoz Roglic, who moved to Bora to regain his freedom, will compete in the Tour this summer. Jonas Vingegaard too, obviously. As for Tadej Pogacar, he wants to regain power on the French roads following two years of Danish domination. Knowing this, getting on the podium on July 21 in Nice would already constitute an XXL performance for Evenepoel, who will, on the other hand, be the big favorite at the Giro. Finally, the possibility of having two of the three grand tours on your list at the age of 24 must tickle the rider.
5. Not yet a team for the Tour
Even if the Wolfpack enlisted the climber Mikel Landa and the revenger Gianni Moscon, whom Van Wilder and Vervaeke showed at the Vuelta won by Remco in 2022 that they might accompany him quite high in the mountains, this is not nonsense to say that this team will not yet be at the level of the jumbos Jumbo-Visma, UAE Team Emirates and Bora-Hansgrohe.
However, the prospect of not being able to fight with the best does not particularly delight the Belgian phenomenon.
6. A golden chance in Paris
Remco Evenepoel has never hidden the fact that he has dreamed of becoming an Olympic champion since he was a child. In Paris, he will have a real chance of doing so. Or rather two. If the route of the road race is demanding, with the Montmartre hill (1 km at 6.5% average) to be climbed three times in the last 46 kilometers, it might suit an attacker of the caliber of Brabançon. As he also has the objective of winning the gold medal in the time trial, he might decide to prepare for this double event at the Tour, or even to skip it.
7. A score to settle with the Giro
Even if Remco Evenepoel has a knack for using annoyances to move forward and turn them into strength, he has reason to show a certain frustration with the Tour of Italy. During his two participations, he had to leave the Giro midway. In 2021, he resumed competition in Italy, nine months following his terrible fall during the Tour of Lombardy. Very strong for ten days, the Brabançon finally had to give up three days from the finish, his body bruised by the efforts made and a fall (not forgetting that he had been hit in the back by a runner coming out of a turn).
This year, it was Covid which forced him to put his foot down following only nine days of racing. By then, he had won two times and was wearing the leader’s pink jersey. “Italy doesn’t work for me like Spain, but I’m sure it will get better in the end,” he smiled philosophically. What if the wheel finally turned in 2024?
8. A financial bonus?
RCS, the organizer of the Giro, is known for being generous with the stars who participate in its race. From the moment Vingegaard, Roglic and Pogacar take part in the Tour, Mauro Vegni might force himself with euros to convince our compatriot to take the start of his event for the third time. This would also make it easier for Soudal Quick-Step to take advantage of a welcome sum of money to strengthen the staff surrounding Evenepoel.
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