Evenepoel makes no mistake about World Championship relationship with 'frenemy' Van der Poel

For those looking to place a bet on the upcoming World Road Championship in Zürich, right behind top favorite Tadej Pogacar, you'll quickly come across Remco Evenepoel and Mathieu van der Poel. The 2022 and 2023 world champions have already completed several training rides in Spain ahead of the World Championships, so next Sunday they will be at the start, all too well aware of one another's form.

Freddy Ovett also joined them along the Costa Blanca and had a fitting label for the Belgian from Soudal Quick-Step and the Dutchman from Alpecin-Deceuninck on social media: frenemies. Friends, but also rivals, which is a dynamic we often see in cycling. However, in the final of the World Championships in Zürich, it will likely lean more toward the latter.

On Friday, Evenepoel held his press conference at the Belgian riders' hotel, where Sporza asked him if he had already made any plans with Van der Poel. "First and foremost, he is a competitor of ours. We more or less know how each other's form is, but it's not like we can just ride together. Mathieu is neither a countryman nor a teammate," clarified Evenepoel.

"I haven't ridden the course myself yet, but if someone like Mathieu focuses on it, he will be ready," said Evenepoel, who will first compete in the World Time Trial Championship on Sunday. Van der Poel will then be finishing the Tour of Luxembourg. "Wout van Aert could have done this as well. But we'll have to see if Mathieu can handle the accumulation of tough rounds. However, he will definitely be ready."

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Evenepoel: "Tadej is the man to beat, but that's why I'm here"

The Belgian is also looking forward to a duel with the top favorite, Tadej Pogacar. "We've missed Liège-Bastogne-Liège for the past two years in a row. In Lombardy, I crashed last year and couldn't compete at the end. The Tour is a different story," explains the double Olympic champion.

"It's another new step and a new opportunity to measure myself. Tadej looks very strong. It won't be easy, but I am confident that I can challenge him and make it a great race," Evenepoel says, encouraging himself.

However, after this year's Tour de France, he knows better than anyone what Pogacar is capable of when he's in top form. "Look at how easily he won Liège this year, and the past three years in Lombardy. That's unique. The World Championships are similar to those races. He's the man to beat, but that's why I'm here."