Tour de France - "The best time trialist": Pogacar bows to Evenepoel
Remco Evenepoel was always ahead of his time. In 2016, he was still a junior national soccer player for Belgian record champion RSC Anderlecht, running the Brussels Half Marathon in renowned 1:16:15 hours at the age of 16. Then he continued his record pursuit in cycling. Now, he has achieved the first stage win at the Tour de France in his debut. And this earned him praise from his rival: "He is the best time trialist of the race," said the race leader Tadej Pogacar.
On Friday, Evenepoel beat two-time Tour winner Pogacar in the first individual time trial of the 111th edition, finishing twelve seconds faster than the Slovenian. Pogacar remained in the yellow jersey, but the coveted dress is now only 33 seconds away from Evenepoel. The time trial winner was not discouraged: "Tadej is nearly unreachable. But it's cycling, you never know what happens."
Comparing with Idol Merckx
If Evenepoel manages to take over the yellow jersey, he would be the youngest rider to have worn the leader's jersey at all three major tours. The 24-year-old won the Vuelta in 2022 and wore the pink jersey for four days at the Giro d'Italia in the previous year.
The Belgian centurion talent, often compared to legendary Eddy Merckx, continues to meet the high expectations. With his World Championship titles in the road race (2022) and time trial (2023), he has proven his exceptional talent. He has already won the Ardennes classic Liege-Bastogne-Liege twice.
Evenepoel's problems in the mountains
However, the young star has his issues in the mountains. During the first serious climb to Col du Galibier, he could not quite keep up with Tour star Tadej Pogacar's wheel. If he can improve, much is possible. The youngster has been meticulously preparing since his Tour trial run at the Criterium du Dauphiné. He has lost 2.5 kilograms in weight since then.
Evenepoel leaves nothing to chance. He also appeared before the Tour start with a mask. But not just another coronavirus infection like the previous year at the Giro, when he had to leave the race in the pink jersey on the first rest day. If possible negotiations about new signings at the German Red Bull team are mentioned, his name always comes up. No wonder, as the team could afford his salary with their potential financial backing. Team boss Patrick Lefevere of Evenepoel's Soudal-Quick-Step team is, however, not an easy negotiating partner.
- Tadej Pogacar, impressed by Remco Evenepoel's stage win at the Tour de France, acknowledged, "He is the best time trialist of the race."
- Despite his victory in the individual time trial, Evenepoel is still trailing Pogacar by a narrow 33 seconds in the race for the yellow jersey.
- Like the elderly Merckx, Evenepoel is often compared for his exceptional talent, having recently won the UCI World Championship in both the road race and individual time trial.
- Evenepoel, currently affiliated with RSC e. V., recently made history by becoming the youngest rider to wear the leader's jersey at all three major tours following his Tour de France stage victory.
- Despite showing promise in the mountains, Evenepoel had a difficult time keeping up with Tadej Pogacar during the first serious climb at Col du Galibier.
- Evenepoel has been relentless in his preparations, losing 2.5 kilograms since the Criterium du Dauphiné, and has garnered interest from German Red Bull team for potential new signings.
