By Stefan Tabeling, dpa
Belgian cycling super talent Remco Evenepoel had not forgotten the most difficult time of his career, even after his furious triumph in Liège.
"It was tough. Everyone in my team and my family knows that. There were many moments when I cried for no reason because I couldn't find myself. In so many races," said the 22-year-old about his arduous road back, which brought him a happy ending with victory in the tough spring classic Liège-Bastogne-Liège.
Horrific crash in Lombardy
It was 20 months ago that Evenepoel lay motionless between branches and boulders in Italy. The highly talented racing cyclist fell over the parapet of a bridge after a descent in the Tour of Lombardy and fell several metres. The worst was feared. It was almost a stroke of luck that the Sant'Anna hospital in Como diagnosed a fractured pelvis and a bruised lung. A fall a few metres further on could have had fatal consequences.
And yet a period of suffering followed for Evenepoel, which took its toll on him "mentally and physically". His recovery did not go as he had imagined. For a young prodigy whose career had only gone in one direction and who had to endure comparisons with Belgian cycling legend Eddy Merckx, this was difficult to accept. He also had to put up with criticism, even from Merckx, who accused the youngster of egotism.
Cycling instead of a career in professional football
Patience was required, something Evenepoel was not used to. In the end, everything worked itself out. Because the boy from Aalst is an all-rounder. At the age of 16, he played for the Belgian junior football team and ran the half marathon in an impressive 1:13 hours. His path into football was actually mapped out, including playing for PSV Eindhoven and RSC Anderlecht. He had even signed a professional contract. But his love belonged to cycling - just like his father Patrick, who himself was a professional at Collstrop in the 1990s.
The decision proved to be the right one right from the start of his career. In his debut year, he won the Clasica San Sebastian and was runner-up in the time trial. Suddenly, a 19-year-old was leaving seasoned professional cyclists standing like beginners. Until that day in Lombardy, which changed everything. "You can be as talented as you want, but you need the head and the will to keep working hard and improve," explained Evenepoel.
Long-term contract until 2026
In Liège, "the best Remco was on the bike", said Evenepoel. Team boss Patrick Lefevere, who has already helped many professional cyclists such as Marcel Kittel and Mark Cavendish back on the road to success, also felt vindicated. "We were not wrong to continue investing in him," said Lefevere. Even before his comeback, Evenepoel received a five-year contract extension with Quick Step in April 2021.
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