Evenepoel turns attention to Tokyo Olympics after Baloise Belgium Tour victory
Youngster the favourite for Belgian time trial title on Wednesday
After sealing overall victory at the Baloise Belgium Tour on Sunday, Remco Evenepoel (Deceuninck-QuickStep) is now turning his thoughts to preparing for the Tokyo Olympics, where he will line out in both the road race and the individual time trial.
Evenepoel was forced to abandon his Grand Tour debut at last month’s Giro d’Italia in the final week, but the youngster returned to winning ways on home roads, claiming the individual time trial on stage 2 en route to claiming the overall honours.
The 21-year-old’s victories in Belgium were his first since he broke his pelvis in a heavy crash at Il Lombardia last August.
"It’s a sort of thank you to those who supported me during this difficult period," Evenepoel said, according to RTBF. "This victory is very significant in my eyes. I’m coming back after some very hard training and it was important to win the time trial.
"Above all, I wanted to be ready for the start of the Giro before being able to succeed here. We’ve made a very good progression."
Evenepoel will race in both the time trial and road race at this week’s Belgian Championships and he will then undertake one further training camp before he leaves for Japan early next month.
"I don’t know yet where the camp will take place, but you have to consider that when you go to altitude, you can’t train as intensely," he said.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
"In my case, a training camp with intensity would be more useful than going into the high mountains. Maybe in Spain."
Evenepoel will line up as the favourite for Wednesday’s Belgian national time trial, with Wout van Aert (Jumbo-Visma), silver medallist in last year’s Worlds, an absentee.
"It will be the last time trial before the Olympics. The distance is the same so it will be a good test," said Evenepoel.
"I feel that I’ve got the strength and the speed in my legs. I’m going to recover well on Monday. I’ll do a recon on Tuesday and then it’s the race on Wednesday. I’m eager to suffer in any case."
Thank you for reading 5 articles in the past 30 days*
Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read any 5 articles for free in each 30-day period, this automatically resets
After your trial you will be billed £4.99 $7.99 €5.99 per month, cancel anytime. Or sign up for one year for just £49 $79 €59
Join now for unlimited access
Try your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Cyclingnews is the world's leader in English-language coverage of professional cycling. Started in 1995 by University of Newcastle professor Bill Mitchell, the site was one of the first to provide breaking news and results over the internet in English. The site was purchased by Knapp Communications in 1999, and owner Gerard Knapp built it into the definitive voice of pro cycling. Since then, major publishing house Future PLC has owned the site and expanded it to include top features, news, results, photos and tech reporting. The site continues to be the most comprehensive and authoritative English voice in professional cycling.