Eurosport analysts concerned about Evenepoel: "He acts like it doesn’t bother him on camera"

In the Eurosport podcast Kop over Kop, analyst/commentators Jeroen Vanbelleghem, Jan Hermsen, and Bobbie Traksel discussed several WorldTour teams, including Soudal Quick-Step. The men discussed Remco Evenepoel in particular and expressed some concern about the Belgian cyclist.

Some fatherly feelings surfaced with Hermsen. "There is always cause for concern with Remco Evenepoel, especially now that he is recovering from a crash. It worries me; he feels like a son you must straighten out."

Text continues below photo

Evenepoel after his fall in September 

Evenepoel is no Ullrich, so Traksel has confidence 

Evenepoel's season was disrupted last year by the terrible crash at the Tour of the Basque Country. "He shines more in front of the camera than on the bike. Of course, he had a top season in 2024, but also from a disadvantage. Now he has this disadvantage again. The pressure is enormous," Hermsen believes.

However, he could not count on much support. Traksel, on the contrary, sees a very professional Evenepoel who doesn't let himself get crazy so quickly. "I don't have the feeling you have to straighten out Remco. I feel he knows exactly what he wants and has a lot of discipline. He's no Jan Ullrich who gained 20 kilos." Still, Hermsen does have a point somewhere, Traksel also thinks. "I also have doubts after such a crash, and you hear that it might be worse than the crash in the Basque Country in terms of consequences. That could be a huge problem for his future. But if anyone can deal with it, it's he, and he has that discipline."

Text continues below photo

Evenepoel on Tour de France podium

Vanbelleghem knows that current situation is affecting Evenepoel 

However, Vanbelleghem knows the most about it as he occasionally contacts him. "I have been in regular contact with Evenepoel in recent weeks. He pretends on camera that it doesn't bother him much, but I can tell you that it affects him more than we think regarding what is being written about him."

The current situation does hit him hard. "You can't imagine being super fit and wanting to train for a goal but then having to sit still for a month. How bad does that have to be? On that front, I share the opinion with Jan: if he has to do this a couple more times, it will get extremely difficult. But for now, I do no doubt all will work out."

Sven Vanthourenhout also concluded earlier that the many crashes of unlucky riders like Evenepoel and Wout van Aert do a lot mentally. "When I saw Wout in the Vuelta lying down after his crash, I thought: is this the breaking point? You don't just recover from a cold, right? You always return from nowhere. You have to work hard for months to hopefully get back to that level. The riders take that in, but the outside world doesn't see it. Because they are considered cycling gods with victories," told the former national team coach.

The men at Eurosport concluded the discussion with a prediction. "He might experience something new and exciting at Bora-Hansgrohe next year, and we start again. I think Soudal Quick-Step will not have Remco after this year," Traksel said. In any case, Vanbelleghem agrees and thinks a departure from Belgium would not harm Evenepoel.

Read also

It's official: Caleb Ewan leaves Jayco-AlUla after failed partnership and signs with INEOS Grenadiers

Jorgenson warns Pogacar: "No guarantees, and our climbing train is stronger than last Tour"

Will Pogacar finally be able to drop Van der Poel in Milan-San Remo with Colnago's new Aero beast?

Want to know when and where the most exciting races of 2025 will take place? Check out our updated 2025 cycling calendars for the men's and women's peloton!

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Get every week the latest news about CYCLING in your inbox!

Subscribe