“Since the fall in Lombardy until the start of the season, it has been very difficult,” admitted Remco Evenepoel. “It revolved around me in all directions. Tips and comments came from all corners – subconsciously you take those things with you and you change as a person.”
Evenepoel also said that he has benefited a lot from team psychologist Michaël Verschaeve. “But the last days before Liège I was very relaxed. Michaël came by and after five minutes already felt: this is good, nothing should actually be discussed.”
So it is by no means the case that the young Belgian is immune to criticism. “But the most important thing for me is that every important person in my life was crying for happiness in Liège. And in the team hotel everyone was ready with a glass of champagne and a chicken leg. (laughs) That is happiness for me.”
Evenepoel also indicated that he has learned to better deal with the storm of opinions on social media. “I closed myself off from that for a long time, but now I’m calmer and I look at everything a bit again. I know I have a good entourage that helps me mentally and physically.”
“During a week’s vacation – like now – I do as many things as possible that I can’t do otherwise. Going to a restaurant once, away for a whole day… In the winter, for the first time in my professional career, I even went on holiday with my girlfriend Oumi. That made for a completely different winter. It’s often the little things that make the difference.”
