Encouraging signs from Evenepoel’s last training, but coach warns: "Let’s stay realistic"

Evenepoel set off on a training ride behind a moped from Lennik. This small town is part of the opening phase of the Brabantse Pijl. The 25-year-old Flemish fan favorite rode part of the route where he will make his comeback on Friday after a long injury ordeal. The crash in December caused considerable damage (including broken ribs, a broken collarbone, and damage to his lungs), but he also suffered a mental blow. Earlier this week, he revealed in an emotional post how difficult the last few months have been for him.

But he is up and running again, and the training was good preparation for his return on Friday. The results of the ride can be found on Strava. 135 kilometers and over 44 kilometers per hour: it was a tough test for the legs, even behind the moped. But instead of continuing east towards the Brabantse Pijl course, Evenepoel turned right. He headed for Geraardbergen, where the famous Muur was skipped this time. Via Ninove, he returned to the start of his training.

The prospects for the Brabantse Pijl are excellent, but what can we expect from the two-time Olympic champion after all the suffering he endured in the winter? An important part of his preparation was a training camp in the Sierra Nevada. "The tests we did during the training camp were positive," trainer Koen Pelgrim told Het Nieuwsblad. "The only thing he lacked was stability. Good days alternated with not-so-good days. That's why I can't really predict how the upcoming races will go."

But that doesn't mean his rider will be invisible on his return. Because when Evenepoel races, he races to perform. "He'll definitely be aiming for a result. Remco is not the kind of rider who appropriate rides for fun and is satisfied with a 34th-place finish. Especially for the Brabantse Pijl, he is already at a level where he can race at full speed and ride the final. But you can't expect him to break away 50 kilometers from the finish line like he did in his best days and never be seen again."

That makes it difficult to compete with Tadej Pogacar, who, compared to the Belgian, has had a perfect spring. "Never say never with Remco," Pelgrim is keen to add. "But at the moment, you can't assume that. If he had had a good winter and we were seeing the very best Remco now, he would come close. As things stand, you can't expect Remco to make it difficult for Pogacar. That's not a realistic scenario. For Remco, this series of races is the next step in the right direction and part of the build-up to his goals later in the season."

It will also be quite strange for Evenepoel to be back in the hustle and bustle of a peloton. "You can never rule out crashes, and it wouldn't be pleasant given the difficult period he's just come through. Remco will indeed need some time to get used to the nervousness in the peloton again, as well as the hustle and bustle. You can't simulate something like that in training. However, the intention is not to be too cautious. When the race is on, he goes for it. But it will play a role."