Mammoth training after Giro frustration: Evenepoel ready for Tour de Suisse – Roglic sworn off

class=”sc-29f61514-0 jbwksb”>

He was white and at the end of his strength. When Remco Evenepoel (23) was asked four weeks ago for the winner’s interview after the second Giro time trial, you saw that the Belgian was ill. After a few minutes, the cyclist gave up the tour – Corona. And today? The red devil of cycling – Evenepoel was once captain of the U15 of the Belgian national football team – seems to be back on its feet.

His opponents can expect a lot. As if it were a threat, he posted the data of his training ride on Instagram on Tuesday: 231 kilometers and 4335 altimeters. For comparison, the queen stage of the Tour de Suisse from Fiesch VS to La Punt GR: 211 kilometers and 4710 meters of altitude. Oh yes: During his mammoth training, Evenepoel occasionally treated himself to eclairs and rice cakes from the bakery as refreshment.

Schmid: “He is motivated”

What that means is clear: Evenepoel is probably ready for the Tour de Suisse – physically, but also mentally. Mauro Schmid (23), his Swiss team-mate at Quick-Step, says: “Corona has already thrown Remco back – the question is how strong. But he is motivated and wants to try and get into the general classification.”

In fact, this year’s Tour de Suisse was made for Evenepoel – mainly because of the two time trials at the start and at the very end. “That’s right, the course fits,” says Schmid.

No more duel with Roglic

There will be no showdown between Evenepoel and Giro winner Primoz Roglic (33, Slo) in Switzerland. The former ski jumper is not on the jumbo list for the Tour de Suisse – not even as a reserve. So is the way clear for Evenepoel? The first answers will be available from Sunday.

Source : Blick