Remco Evenepoel has clearly expressed his great ambition for the coming years: in 2026 he wants to compete for the overall victory in the Tour de France. After his Vuelta victory in 2022, the first Belgian Grand Tour in more than forty years, he now sets his sights on the biggest stage. And he receives support from iconic quarters. Eddy Merckx sees the potential and also gives the young compatriot clear advice, he says in De Morgen.
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Hope for a new Belgian Tour hero
For Merckx, the wish is clear: he hopes to see another Belgian in yellow in Paris. This year marks exactly fifty years since Lucien Van Impe was the last Belgian to win the Tour de France in 1976.
“Evenepoel now hopes to win the Tour de France against Pogacar, and why not?”, Merckx sounds hopeful. According to the five-time Tour winner, the door is not closed for Evenepoel.
De Kannibaal points out factors that could play to the advantage of the Soudal Quick-Step rider. More experience at the highest level and a team that gets stronger year after year could bring Evenepoel closer to its ultimate goal. Merckx clearly believes that the project is realistic, provided the right steps are taken.
Experience and details make the difference
Merckx knows better than anyone what it takes to survive for three weeks in the Tour. He won the Tour de France five times, between 1969 and 1974, and knows the importance of small details. In his eyes, the key for Evenepoel lies mainly in the mountain stages, where the battle with riders like Tadej Pogacar is decided.
Merckx also has concrete advice for this. “Maybe he should lighten up a bit? So he can last a little longer with those men in the mountains.” It is not a harsh criticism, but a suggestion from experience. In the Tour, the long cols are often unforgiving and every percent can make the difference.
