Remco Evenepoel looks back on a turbulent first week on the first rest day of the Tour de France 2025. The Belgian captain of Soudal Quick-Step is in third place overall after ten stages, 1:29 minutes behind race leader Ben Healy and one minute behind Tadej Pogačar. Despite a time loss of 39 seconds in the opening stage, Evenepoel is satisfied with his position. "I'm where I should be, I think. That's good for now," explained the 25-year-old at his team's press conference. The tactics of the Visma | Lease a Bike team are of particular concern to the Tour bronze medallist. "Honestly? I have no idea. I think they ride the way they always do," analysed Evenepoel. "What they did in the stage to Puy de Sancy was predictable. Two men in the breakaway, Victor Campenaerts had to drop back. You could see it coming that they would try it on the plateau afterwards," said the Belgian.
Remco Evenepoel on Visma tactics
Evenepoel sees little new in Visma | Lease a Bike's strategy: "They've been using the same tactics for years, which is no longer surprising." Nevertheless, the Belgian recognises the team's strength: "They have four very strong riders for the classification and the mountains. But what they did in the stage to Puy de Sancy was predictable."
When asked whether he could benefit from the rivalry between Pogačar and Vingegaard, the Olympic champion replied. "To be honest, I don't know either. They attack each other at every turn. You saw that on Monday: first Jorgenson, then Kuss, then Jorgenson again and then Kuss again. At some point they'll break. The tactics they used a few years ago with Primož Roglič and Jonas against Tadej, they're doing exactly the same now. The only difference is that Kuss and Yates are already too far behind in the overall standings," said Evenepoel on Tuesday.
The Belgian also has a clear opinion on the top favourite Tadej Pogačar. "Which is also a major difference: Pogi is no longer the Pogačar he was on the Col du Granon in 2022 (when he suffered a collapse and lost almost 3 minutes to Vingegaard; editor's note). He's at least as strong as the riders from Visma | Lease a Bike. They have to be careful with that. For me, that means they're just playing their game. When I attacked on Monday, they let me do it," continued the Olympic champion, referring to Oscar Onley, who brought him back. "I take it as a good sign that they might have let me go. But now we have other stages ahead of us."
Focus on Tadej Pogačar and Jonas Vingegaard
Evenepoel's focus is primarily on Pogačar and Vingegaard. "I'm particularly focussed on Pogačar and Vingegaard. I want to fight for Tour victory with them in the future," the Belgian clarifies. He sees himself in a position where he has to be tactically clever: "It's important for me to keep up with Tadej and Jonas for as long as possible. And that I try to ride smart tactically."
Evenepoel is aware that he will often be isolated against the strong teams of UAE Emirates XRG and Visma | Lease a Bike. "That means I have to ride with my head and be smart in the finales," he explains his strategy. The Soudal Quick-Step rider remains optimistic despite the challenges: "That's why I look at it day by day, climb by climb, and that's why it's very important to make good decisions." Looking ahead to the upcoming mountain stages and the time trial on Friday, Evenepoel is confident. "I can compete for the win, but it's difficult to say whether I'll succeed in the end," he says about the upcoming mountain time trial. The Belgian emphasises that he has never ridden a mountain time trial with the pros and that the decision on the material is still pending.
Leon Weidner
Working student
