What is striking about Remco Evenepoel (so far) is the absence of subservience towards the Tour. After victory of the Vuelta, the French organizers said he would be a welcome guest at this year's Boucle, but the Belgian replied that 2023 will be the year of the Giro. And he then added, yesterday during the meetings with the press on the sidelines of the team presentation, that Even if he left the Giro with a stellar leg, he still wouldn't go to France.
«I want to continue with my growth project – he said – which includes the Vuelta, the Giro, and then, if necessary, the Tour. Plans don't change. The Tour in 2024? We'll see. If I were to see that the Vuelta route was better for me, I would return to Spain. I'll do the Tour sooner or later, that's for sure, but I'm in no rush.».
The calm of the strong
Hair in perfect order, smooth cheeks, flat stomach and thighs that push under the jeans, the boy has grown up. And even if postponing the French challenge was the way to stay away from certain customers, the feeling is truly that of a reasoned and shared journeyHe is self-possessed and in excellent spirits.
The victories have had their weight. And perhaps even the recognition by Eddy Merckx contributed to no longer making him feel like an outsiderHe had never sought his approval, he had always shied away from comparisons, but the Cannibal had stood in the way. Now, with the investiture of the great Belgian and a year like the last, Evenepoel has understood that he has a place at the table of the greats. And with marriage to give him balance off the bike, it can be said that the picture is almost perfect.
We're talking at a table with other journalists from various European countries. In the large room set up for the Soudal-Quick Step presentation, one table has been set up for the Flemish, one for the French, and one for the rest of the world, but to make sure we don't miss a single word, everyone turns around a bit.
How are you?
Everything good. Much to my surprise, it's been a pretty quiet winter.Without much stress. Also because I said no a lot, obviously. I limited myself to the award ceremonies, skipping TV programs.
In the meantime, you also got married. Has life really changed that much?
Cycling only lasts a short time in your life, a wife is usually forever (laughs, ed.) After the wedding, a new world opened up. I look at this ring every now and then, I'm very happy with it.
The quiet winter will soon end, are you afraid of the stress that is coming?
Not exactly, I think I can handle that pressure quite well.. It is also important to be able to identify stressful moments. Here's why I consciously choose long training blocks and altitude trainingIf competitions are times of great pressure, then during training camps I can recharge my batteries and let go of the stress. It's said that I don't race much, but apart from the Vuelta San Juan, which will serve to break the ice, I always compete at a high level and I always race to win. This makes my schedule very busy anyway.
You're going to the Giro, with the same words you used to go to the Vuelta: one stage and one placing...
Exactly, with a few more obstacles. Spring snow will make it more difficult to scout Giro stages in advance, otherwise I will try to follow the same pattern.
That would?
A period at altitude, then a stage race (the Tour of Catalonia, ed.). Another training session at altitude, then Liège-Bastogne-Liège, another week at altitude and then the Giro. Liège will play the same role it had San Sebastian last year, with the difference that I will be the outgoing winner and will be wearing the rainbow jersey. It will be the most special day of the yearHopefully with equally positive results.
You talked a lot about the altitude, did you put the hypobaric chamber in your house in Calpe?
No, unfortunately there was no room (laughs, ed.).
Returning to the Giro, are you sure everyone will buy your low profile? Last year it was sustainable, but after winning the Vuelta…
It's very difficult to predict how the standings will go. Obviously I hope to place in the top five again, with the podium being my absolute dream.But a lot can happen. Bad luck at the wrong time in the first week and goodbye… The Giro is completely different from the Vuelta. We will have to plan our days carefully: where to attack, where to take your foot off the accelerator.
There's talk of bringing the Vuelta team to the Giro: will that be the case?
Hard to say now. I have some men that I would like to have and that normally will be thereVervaeke, Van Wilder, and Serry. I would also have liked to have Alaphilippe, but since he'll also be doing the cobbled classics, it might be difficult to get everything together. We'll also need someone for the flat stages, someone who knows how to make the differenceMen like Lampaert, Asgreen, or Ballerini. In short: three or four names are fixed, the others will emerge.
Were you surprised that Roglic will come to the Giro?
Quite. I found it surprising that a week ago he said that the Giro comes too early compared to to shoulder surgery, then announced his presence. I would find it strange that he started to do pre-tacticsI think it's nice to have him running, I'm curious. I hope he recovers well and we have another good duel.
Will he be the man to beat?
I think so. He has more experience than me, he is not afraid, he attacks in the most disparate situationsOn a steep uphill finish, on a sprint finish, even on the flat. He won the Vuelta three times and was third in the GiroIf we start from the palmares, Roglic will be the best Grand Tour rider in ItalyBut be careful, Vlasov and Thomas will also be there, you'll see that other names will pop up.
How difficult was it not to choose the Tour?
I am convinced that only one Grand Tour can be done decently per seasonA second is only possible if you take a day off every now and then. But that's not my style. For me, the three Grand Tours are on the same level.That's why every year I'll try to find out which of the three suits me best.
Do you feel like you've grown thanks to your Vuelta victory?
From a victory like that, you really learn a lot. For example, that the time trial in a Grand Tour is completely different from the one-day time trial, if only for the effort you bring with you. Or now I know that A few days after a fall, you always have a less brilliant one and you don't have to panic. As could happen at the Vuelta on the day of Sierra Nevada. But above all I found the perfect balance in terms of weight, power, and energyI'm rarely surprised by anything in my preparation. Being like this just a few months before the Giro is a relaxing feeling.
Does being so acclaimed make you feel like a superhero?
The crowd in the square of Brussels he made me realizing that I had truly done something special. But no matter how much attention it gets, when I come home and close the door behind me, I'm still the same boy, who doesn't fly and keeps his feet on the ground. And who does housework when needed.
Do you wash dishes too?
Yes, me too (laughs, ed.). I wash the dishes and get scolded by my women or my father If I get something in my head that I really like and it turns out to be nonsense. That's how it should be. That's how I'd like to stay.
