Froome predicts Tour de France success for "phenomenal" Evenepoel, Belgian experts share insights on his average Dauphiné performance

Remco Evenepoel is expected to shine in the Tour de France, that is what both Belgium and Chris Froome believe. Froome, who participated in the Critérium du Dauphiné, noticed that Evenepoel, the Soudal-Quick Step rider, wasn’t in his best form to win there. However, the 39-year-old Israel-Premier Tech cyclist still highlights Evenepoel as a cyclist to watch in the Tour, in an interview with RTBF.

"He's a phenomenon. What he has achieved so far is incredible," Froome says, praising the Belgian who is 15 years his junior. This echoes some team managers who, post-Dauphiné, expressed confidence that the former world champion will be ready by July. "I’m sure he’s going to win a lot more in the future. He demolished everyone in the Dauphiné time trial. Even though he wasn’t at his best in the mountains, I think France will get to know him well this summer."

A bold prediction from the four-time Tour winner, who may also be at the start in Florence. "Whatever happens, he’s definitely racing in the Tour. I have no advice for him. He’s doing incredibly well. He will need to limit time losses on his weaker days because the Tour de France lasts three weeks. If he’s feeling strong, he won’t succumb to external pressures. He already puts enough pressure on himself. What matters most is how he feels internally."

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Remco Evenepoel

Evenepoel had good reason for lesser performance in the Dauphiné

Evenepoel was also extensively discussed in the podcast Café Koers. While a seventh place in the Dauphiné's final classification didn't cause panic at Soudal-Quick Step, Belgian insiders did look for more reasons beyond just his form. And they found some. "He wasn’t far from his best form, and the last day was his best climbing day. There was progression, and Patrick Lefevere mentioned a couple of days ago in an interview that there was some concern about Remco’s health," says journalist Jan-Pieter De Vlieger.

Apart from the crash on day five, which involved Evenepoel, he mentioned having some allergies. It turns out he was quite affected in terms of his health in the last few days. "He was suffering from pollen and dust mites, and there was also fear of a Giro-like scenario with a COVID-19 infection. Some riders left the Dauphiné due to COVID-19, so they tested Evenepoel many times. The results were always negative, but his throat was troubling him. His health was not at one hundred percent."