Shortly after announcing that he would not participate in the national championships, Remco Evenepoel met with the press and explained how he will approach the Tour de France. A week before the Grande Boucle, the Belgian champion took stock of the situation, conveying confidence after a preparation that he describes as significantly better than last year's.

«The difference compared to 2024 is enormous - Evenepoel explained -. Last year I arrived at the start completely exhausted. This time, instead, I managed to complete all my training sessions and I'm very satisfied with the work done».

The Belgian will present himself at the Tour after a full 69 days without racing, but this doesn't concern him in the slightest. In fact, he argues that the long period without competition was an integral part of the program. «I haven't missed racing. I'm someone who builds fitness through training and I don't believe I need races to be ready for the Tour».

The confidence stems especially from the progress made after Liège-Bastogne-Liège. Even during the latest altitude training camp, conducted in high temperatures, was part of the program and the Belgian managed to complete all training blocks, a situation completely different from 2024.

«Last year I wasn't able to complete even one interval in the final training camp before the Tour. This year, instead, I completed the entire program and my training metrics confirm that I'm heading in the right direction».

One of the main objectives of the preparation was also to reach ideal weight without compromising strength.

«We created a caloric deficit intelligently, without overdoing it. There were difficult moments, but the training went well. I'm at the weight I needed to reach and, most importantly, I haven't sacrificed power».

According to Evenepoel, this is precisely one of the reasons that allows him to look at the Tour with greater peace of mind compared to twelve months ago.

Among the favorites for the yellow jersey will naturally be Tadej Pogacar, coming off dominant performances in recent stage races. Evenepoel says he's not surprised by the Slovenian's level, but also offers a reflection.

«Pogacar has been impressive, but by now it's no longer a surprise. Sometimes I'm sorry to see that when he attacks, no one really tries to follow him. Apart from Richard Carapaz, I haven't seen riders attempting to stay on his wheel. If the pace is too high, obviously there's nothing to be done, but it's a shame not to see more competition».

At the same time, the Belgian urges against drawing definitive conclusions from races in preparation for the Grande Boucle. Evenepoel also confirms that at the Tour he will share team leadership with Florian Lipowitz, a plan defined back in winter and never changed. «In December we said we would share the leadership and nothing has changed»

As for the opening team time trial, the objective will be above all to compete for the stage win and, perhaps, the first yellow jersey.

«The important thing will be to arrive together at the final kilometer, then everyone will have to give their best. We can't wait for each other because we'd lose time. In the end those 20 kilometers will count little for the general classification: I see it mainly as an opportunity to win a stage and claim the yellow jersey».

Evenepoel was also satisfied with the lineup chosen by the team. «There was only doubt about the last spot, between Nico Denz and Gianni Vermeersch. In the end Denz was chosen, but the decision was up to the team. I believe we'll present ourselves at the start with a very balanced group, between sprinters, climbers and complete riders like Mattia Cattaneo and Jan Tratnik».

In recent months Evenepoel has also changed coaches, moving from Dan Lorang to Tim Heemskerk, former coach of Jonas Vingegaard. «The working method hasn't changed much. Every coach emphasizes different aspects, but the transition was natural. We'll see in a month if it has delivered the desired results».  

The Belgian finally denied having revealed his FTP value in the recent documentary published on his YouTube channel. «It was misunderstood. That wasn't my FTP, but simply a training session close to that threshold. In the end, results matter, not numbers. It doesn't matter if my FTP is 350, 380 or 450 watts».

After the third place he secured at the 2024 Tour de France behind Pogacar and Vingegaard, Evenepoel knows that the level will be even higher, also due to the emergence of new talents like Seixas and Del Toro.

«It wasn't easy last year either. I understand there are doubts about me after a long period without racing, but I know I always recover well after such long training blocks. I think everything will go well».

Words that tell of an Evenepoel decidedly more confident than twelve months ago. The preparation has been completed without interruptions, the weight is ideal and the conviction is that he can finally face the Tour in the best possible conditions. Now, the road will have to confirm the sensations gained during training.