Monday April 1, 2024 at 2:53 PM
In the Tour of Flanders the best cobblestone riders competed against each other, in the Tour of the Basque Country (April 1-6) the best tour riders cross swords. Remco Evenepoel is one of the favorites for overall victory, but what does the Belgian expect from the six-day stage race?
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In conversation with Sporza, Evenepoel warns of an unpredictable and spectacular course of the race. “There will be less tactical jousting than in Paris-Nice. It will be more common to race with your mind at zero. The finish will regularly be ten kilometers from the actual finish. Some men will benefit from a long, hard course.”
“I don’t have to be afraid to count on my sprint. Although sometimes I will try to take risks. It is always a special final,” the Belgian champion of Soudal Quick-Step looks ahead. “It will be a spectacle every day, I think. One that can always go in any direction.”
Final rehearsal
In the Tour of the Basque Country, Evenepoel will look into the eyes of Jonas Vingegaard and Primoz Roglic, two riders he will also meet in the Tour de France in the summer. Does the Belgian see this round as an important dress rehearsal for the upcoming Tour de France? “Yes and no. Vingegaard is a top favorite in France, but this is a completely different course. He is the man to beat. I think he is mainly aiming for Saturday, because that is the toughest stage.”
Evenepoel will be the leader of Soudal Quick-Step in the coming days, but the team also has Mikel Landa – the number two of the previous Tour of Catalonia – in its ranks. “Someone who never has any stress,” laughs Evenepoel. “He will certainly support me, but if the opportunity is there, he should definitely take his own chance. I hope we work well together as a duo.”
