Remco Evenepoel obtained Belgium’s Nationwide Trophy for Sports activities Benefit in Brussels on Wednesday for his achievements in 2022 however his consideration is already turning to the brand new season, which will get underway on the Vuelta a San Juan in slightly beneath a month’s time.
The world champion’s choice to race the Giro d’Italia in 2023 implies that he should wait slightly longer to duel with Tadej Pogacar (UAE Workforce Emirates) at a Grand Tour, however he hinted that they could face off as quickly as February on the UAE Tour.
“That’s certainly the plan in the mean time, however it’s not but utterly sure,” Evenepoel stated, in keeping with Het Nieuwsblad (opens in new tab). “The Volta ao Algarve additionally has some good time trials, in order that may be an possibility.
“It will be good to compete with Tadej on a race the place he has already received twice. He will likely be in prime kind there anyway, as a result of for his crew it’s form of just like the World Championships. We’re nonetheless taking a look at what the most suitable choice is. For now, solely San Juan, Liège and the Giro are already 100% sure.”
The Soudal-QuickStep rider stated that his pre-Giro schedule would encompass “4 quick stage races and […] a number of coaching camps,” including that it was not essentially conducive to focusing on Liège-Bastogne-Liège. “I will do altitude coaching earlier than Liège, so the query is whether or not I’ll begin with good legs,” he stated. “You’ll be able to by no means say that upfront.”
Evenepoel has already been to reconnoitre the Giro’s two early time trials, in Abruzzo on the opening day and in Cesena on stage 9, although he warned that his race would finally be determined by how he coped with the succession of mountains within the third week.
“It can come right down to utilizing our power sparingly, as a result of the centre of gravity is in that third week, with one other monster of a time trial on the penultimate day [to Monte Lussari – ed.],” Evenepoel stated. “I hope to discover just a few extra phases, however it’s not straightforward to schedule that. I like what I’ve seen up to now. It’s a good course, I’m pleased with my alternative of the Giro.”
Evenepoel is not going to face Pogacar or Jonas Vingegaard (Jumbo-Visma) in Italy, as each males will return to the Tour. Requested if he longed to check himself in opposition to them, Evenepoel stated: “Sure, sure. However personally, I primarily take a look at the route of the Grand Excursions, and whether or not there are good time trials in it or not. And the time trials within the Giro appealed to me essentially the most within the Giro for 2023. I hope to fulfill them quickly, why not in one-week stage races and hopefully quickly after that in a Grand Tour.”
