Pulled by the shirt for the arrival of Vingegaard at the Vuelta, Remco Evenepoel speaks againTomorrow he will run to San Sebastian, on the roads he conquered twice. Then he will go to Glasgow to defend the world title, finally to ReturnThere's no denying it: we all wondered what he could have done at the Tour against those two.
«It's a very difficult question – he answers in the connection requested by Soudal-Quick Step – We'll probably never know. Maybe next year. From the numbers I've seen day after day, I think they've reached an incredible level this year.. So I have a year of work ahead of me for make great strides and get closer».
Meanwhile, your year in the rainbow jersey ends early…
I have it won on September 25, I'm putting it back up for grabs on August 6th. It's a little sad because it's too early. But I think that next Sunday there will be a good World Cup. I will do my best and try to have as much fun as possible.But first let's think about San Sebastian, a really important race for me. I know I can win and I would become the joint record holder of the race. (so far only Marino Lejarreta has won it three times, in 1981, 1982, 1987, ed.). This is also a great motivation. Plus I want to try to enjoy the last hours of the race wearing the rainbow jersey, although I hope for my career that this isn't the last time I wear it.
What kind of season has it been so far?
Good, with 8 wins, some of them very nice. La Liege, but also the national championship in the rainbow jersey was special (opening photo, ed.) That said, I don't think I was ready enough for my debut in Argentina, because the winter was very long, between the various obligationsI did well at Catalunya and it was the atmosphere of the first stages of the tour was very nice Giro with the pink jersey.
What are the chances of you winning the World Cup again?
The route is less difficult than you might think, there is less altitude difference than in 2022, but the distance is considerableWe will have to do short climbs, but I now think I can compete in any one-day race, so there is definitely a possibility.
Looking at the routes, do you have more chances of winning the road or the time trial?
I think both. The time trial is long and not super technical and my aerodynamic position will help me against Ganna, who remains the number one favorite. The road race, on the other hand, is quite technical and very long. Lots of curves, lots of ups and downs, and it will be about seven hours of racing. This will put a lot of strain on the legs, so consequently also going on the run could prove interestingWe have a very strong national team, with several assets, such as Philipsen and Van Aert. Let's just hope we don't have to adjust our plans due to accidents or bad luck.And let's also hope it doesn't rain.
What did you think when you read that Vingegaard was coming to the Vuelta?
Everyone should be happy about this, since there will be more entertainment in a race that promises to be super difficult.
It seems that the Vuelta will be very tough from the start…
This year Every stop could be the stage for something spectacularYou have to arrive fresh in the last week, but also be ready at the start, because you can't waste 3-4-5 minutes in the first mountain stage (the arrival in Andorra will be on the third day, ed.). This is not the intention, so it will be a question of survive difficult times.
Have you changed anything in your preparation for the Vuelta?
I copied and pasted from last year. Today I had a good feeling, I tried to push myself and everything went well. I have a good fit when I come back from the high ground, but I also know that you can have the best condition and something can go wrong.
Rumor has it that you had some problems during the Vuelta reconnaissance…
I went to try Stages 16-17-18: Bejes, Angliru, and Cruz de Linares, which in my eyes will be the decisive days of the final week. Except it started off on the wrong foot. In Amsterdam they thought it best not to send the suitcase, so I arrived in Spain with my backpack.It was 30 degrees and I had to walk around with a gabba, but I did a great reconnaissance anywayI learned a lot.
What?
The Angliru is truly a monster, but the crucial one is the Cruz de Linares, which is certainly no less toughThe percentages do not reach 20 percent, but are around 15-16 and we have to climb it twiceI wouldn't underestimate stage 16 either, after the rest. It's all flat and with an uphill finishThe typical Asturian climb of 5-6 kilometers, but the entire time at 10-13 percent.
What are your chances of winning again?
If you think you're going to be defeated, it's best not to leave. La Jumbo Visma It has the two strongest riders, but I'm also with themI think he will be favored in the end. the winner of the Tour and for me it will be a useful experience for next year.
Why do you say that?
I think it all depends on how he came out of the Tour and For me Jonas wasn't at the limit, you could see it in his face in the last mountain stages. Like for me last year at the Vuelta: I wasn't tired at all, I went to the World Championships and everything worked out great. So I expect the same from him. Maybe it will be 2-3 percent less, but with such a shape, it is still superior to all the others.
Is it fair to say that aiming for the Vuelta again wasn't the plan for this year?
It's true, but we tried to adapt after withdrawing from the GiroNormally after the Giro I would have done Wallonie and San Sebastian before the World Championships.
In Belgium, there's talk about the team's future. Are you able to live the situation calmly?
It's not too difficult, it's actually fun because from the outside you know more than me. I read about things that are supposedly happening that I, my entourage, and my family know nothing about.. It's pretty special. I think I'm strong enough to focus on what I have to do in the coming summer And I see no reason to be unhappy. If I may, I'd call them petty nonsense...
