In part 2 of our cycling podcast about Remco Evenepoel, we look ahead to his goals for 2023 and beyond. Father Patrick, osteopath Anthony Pauwels and sports director Klaas Lodewyck discuss the sporting and extra-sporting ambitions of our world champion.
A limited, measured program in 2023
Sports director Klaas Lodewyck from Soudal – Quick Step briefly reviews Remco Evenepoel’s program. “The Tour of San Juan went completely as expected: having fun, enjoying and making the course without pressure.”
“He is not outclassed there. Only when accelerating at a height did you see that he was not yet in top condition. He hit the wall there. But the focus is on races that are yet to come,” says Lodewyck.
By the way, it was very deliberately agreed to drive a limited, measured program. It builds on the current trend in all top-level teams. Few competitions and deliberately train at altitude to focus and take a rest.
Those height stages work perfectly. Remco can suffer well during training and thus prepare himself optimally.
“Those altitude training sessions work perfectly. Remco can suffer well during training and thus prepare himself optimally. We do not see the point in putting in extra race days to race ‘just like that’.”
Liège-Bastogne-Liège also fits into that strategy, although according to dad Evenepoel that is still the case a special one. “It’s that extra ccompetition stimulus just before the Giro. But Liège, in the world champion jersey, that is what Remco wants to do.”
“Going full for profit in Giro opening time trial”
The opening time trial of the Giro in the Abruzzo seems to be perfect for Evenepoel. Should he immediately go for the win and take the pink jersey or let Ganna do it and put the pressure of the race on Ineos’ shoulders?
“I’m not a team leader, hey”, laughs Patrick. “He really believes in his teammates, he says that all the time. I personally think that if he takes the pink jersey on the first day, they will work hard for him.”
“That is certainly true”, Lodewyck adds. “With his time trial capabilities, we cannot say that we will take it easy. You have to go all out for that victory. Grab that stage win, grab that pink jersey and some pressure will drop. Then we’ll see further.”
With 70 time trial kilometers, a high pattern of expectations is immediately created towards Rome, but the team leader tempers expectations.
“I will be satisfied if we finish that race with top 10 or top 5, we had good days, learned a lot, but the opposition was better. Then you have to speak of a success. Everything that comes with it: stage victory, podium or even the final victory would be the max.”
Building a team towards the Tour de France
This year is still a transitional year for Soudal-Quick Step. “We have a
good transfer done with Jan Hirt, who will start in the Giro. But there must be
definitely some reinforcement for uphill”, says Klaas Lodewyck.
The training team is actively looking for the right talents who can continue to grow. But at least 2 reinforcements are needed.
“We need someone who can really lead the way uphill, if only 7 or 8 remain, such as a Laurens De Plus at Ineos. There are others who can do that, but the duration of the contract and price play a major role in this .”
The transfer we make should not be a gamble. That must be on point. If you want to go to the Tour de France next year, you really need a team that is competitive.
“The transfer we are making should not be a gamble. It should be a big deal. If you want to go to the Tour de France next year, you really need a team that is competitive. We now have the time to make the right profile. Hopefully that will work.”
According to Patrick Evenpoel, those transfers are also crucial. “Many managers know what profile we are looking for, come along with riders and drive up prices. That’s where Lefevere’s craftsmanship lies: choosing the right one.”
“Correct,” says Lodewyck. “You have to find someone with the right attitude. Not someone who thinks that he will fill his pockets with us for a few more years. We are not good with that.”
The REV academy is under construction
After the peak year of 2022, the Remco Evenepoel product has become big, very big. “After Vuelta and World Cup, he became a worldwide product,” said Patrick Evenepoel.
“There are many people who want to eat from the plate and that’s why I meet with Lefevere every month to tackle these things professionally. We already make choices without Remco knowing anything about it.”
The only project that Remco initiated himself is the REV academy, which must be up and running within 2 years. “It will be a social project in Brussels to encourage children to cycle. Giving children from social neighborhoods the opportunity to cycle, following the example of Vincent Kompany in football.”
“Then there is the step to turn some of those children into athletes and get them ready for competition and then get them into the youth work of the team.”
