What a return: In his first race this year, Remco Evenepoel impressively put his extra class. The double Olympic champion gave Wout van Aert a chance on Friday at the Brabant arrow.
It was the comeback race for Evenepoel after being hit by a post bus in December 2024 and injured. The Paris Champion in the individual time trial and races had previously emphasized that he had worked hard for his comeback and was very looking forward to the almost 163 kilometers with climbs in the Belgian Ardennes, but not to set any goals. “The most important thing will be to get back into the racing rhythm after all this time”said Evenepoel, which after the long time cannot yet be in top shape.
Evenepoel drives as aggressively as ever
But his trainer already indicated that Team Soudal – Quick Step’s Belgian was already to be expected at the Brabant arrow. “Remco is Remco. He is not here to be 34th”said Koen Pelgrim. And his protégé implemented exactly that. Even Evenepoel was just as aggressive as in his best times before the accident, he sat down with Wout van Aert and Joseph Blackmore, 20 kilometers before the finish he blew up the small group, Blackmore had to be torn down.
There was a duel between Evenepoel and Van Aert. Because the main field was only about half a minute behind the two top drivers, but it did not manage to get a touch closer to the leading duo. However, Evenepoel did not succeed in hanging off the Visma star hanging on his rear wheel on the last climbs. The comebacker put pressure on it, looked much fresher, while Van Aert fought with his last strength to keep the connection.
Van Aert refuses to work – and still loses
The lead over the peloton therefore increased, it came to the final sprint, which the two adjusted over two kilometers in front of the finish line. Even Evenepoel looked back, asked Van Aert to take on leadership work, but his opponent did not do his favor and remained on his rear wheel. But it didn’t help him, even Evenepoel was too strong, started 300 meters before the end and won in his first race after the long break.
“This is unbelievable. It is not so much my race and then to go to a sprint with Wout, where I have to drive the last two kilometers in front – I wasn’t sure if I could make it. But I wanted to try it and had already speculated to win the race beforehand”said Evenepoel. “But the hard work of the past few days has paid off, it is amazing to open the season like this, I’m extremely happy.”