2023-08-04 18:03:00
The Belgians are mentioned here and there as big favourites, including by the other riders. “Do the others think we are the big favourites?, Evenepoel smiles. I hope so. We have an impressive team. Wout is still very strong, Jasper has won so many stages in the Tour. The team members are also very strong. You need a strong team here, to stay together. I would also be scared if I drove for another country. If you beat the Belgians, you have a lot of chances to win the race.”
Evenepoel sees only advantages of the system of the three leaders putting him in the same position as Wout van Aert and Jaspes Philipsen. “We have to be happy to have three leaders,” explained the 2022 world champion. together. We know what we can do for each other. All three of us are capable of going a long distance and attacking. Jasper can also go in front, he showed that in Paris-Roubaix. As for Wout, we have naturally known this for a longer time”.
“Throughout the year we ride once morest each other. Of course it’s easier to win with each other. I don’t see any problem with having different leaders. Last year , we succeeded with two leaders. We can do the same here. If I am targeted, my two companions can take advantage of it. We want to win and, for me, it does not matter how we achieve it. One centimeter on the line of arrival is enough”.
”The time trial route appeals to me more than the road route. If I have to choose, I prefer to win the time trial because I have already been online world champion. Knowing that I will have the Belgian champion’s jersey if I don’t win on Sunday takes the pressure off me,” also explained the winner of the last Vuelta.
For his part, Wout van Aert notably mentioned the route. “A course that looks like cyclocross? I understand people saying that with the bends and the technical side, but it’s a 270 kilometer race! And I’m sure it’s hard to make real differences.” An observation shared by Evenepoel: “This course is certainly not easy, it’s a bit like F1.”
2023 World Championships: the Belgians trained as a team on the local Glasgow circuit (VIDEO)
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