Tomorrow Remco Evenepoel and Tadej Pogacar will face off again in what promises to be another fierce race, where the road world champion and time trial world champion will battle for the continental title.

"The fact that I'm here is due to the type of course. However, I think this year we are definitely exaggerating, because Kigali and this are courses for the same type of riders" – Evenepoel said in his press conference – "It would be better if the World Championships and European Championships complemented each other. One for climbers or classics riders, one for sprinters".

Compared to the World Championship course, this seems more explosive, perhaps slightly more suitable for the Belgian and riders who excel in certain Classics. In other words, it will be a much more open race with more riders potentially making it to the finish.

"It will be a hard race, very hard. From the moment we reach the local circuits, it will become very difficult and only the legs will speak. We'll face three times a long climb, six times the Val d'Enfer. That's why it will be so challenging. For me, it's a tougher course than Rwanda. The Val d'Enfer reminds me of La Redoute, but with worse road conditions. This is a climb that inspires me a lot".

Yesterday, Evenepoel went to scout the course and practiced the Val d'Enfer several times. The Belgian did a 4-hour training and preferred to go alone, without teammates, which says a lot about the expected race strategy.

"We'll probably start the local laps with a more or less compact group with almost all riders. I expect things to move only on the last climb, which will be the longest. We have some guys in the team who can make the finale long and difficult. Moreover, I don't think the course is suitable for an attack from far away. I expect more of a man-to-man battle in the last lap. I hope to still have some teammates nearby at that point, and the other favorites will be isolated".

And further: "Compared to Rwanda, I think there will be a more open race, with more names besides Tadej. There are only two moments when something could happen. Everyone more or less knows what scenario to expect, so it will be important to stay focused. This race has more characteristics of a true classic. Of course, Tadej will play an important role".