Remco Evenepoel is ready to return to action and has only one goal in mind: to chase history in San Sebastián and claim a unique record.

He hasn't come to the Basque Country to find his rhythm after the Tour de France. Remco Evenepoel is at the Clásica San Sebastián less than a week after finishing second at the Tour de France behind the unstoppable Tadej Pogacar. The Belgian champion is already back in racing to pursue what would be his fourth victory in the Spanish classic, a success that would make him the most successful rider ever in the history of the race.

Until now, the record is shared with Spaniard Marino Lejarreta, who managed to win three times. Evenepoel has the opportunity to definitively distance himself from him and claim a record that, as he himself has admitted, represents enormous motivation.

«That record has stayed in my mind - he confessed during the team presentation - The Clásica San Sebastián is a beautiful race that perfectly suits my characteristics. Becoming the sole holder of the record here would be something special. I'm motivated to give my all once again».

San Sebastián holds a special place in Evenepoel's sporting history. It was on these roads that in 2019, he achieved his first World Tour victory when he was just 19 years old and was still taking his first steps as a professional. Since then, the Belgian has built an extraordinary palmares, but his connection with this race has remained unchanged.

«Here I achieved my first World Tour success. Then I came back to win again as world champion, shortly before conquering the Vuelta. These are memories that make this race even more special».

While other major protagonists of the Tour de France chose to take a break, Evenepoel preferred to stay in racing. A decision planned long ago with Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe and also linked to preparation for the World Championships in September.

The Belgian comes from three intense weeks, concluded with a splendid second place behind Pogacar, but assures he still has energy left.

«I feel good. On Monday, at the Aalst criterium, it was tough, but day after day the sensations have improved. I've also managed to get some rest. I feel the fatigue mainly when I'm not on the bike; once I start pedaling, things go much better. I really hope to have a great day».

The choice not to stop immediately after the Tour also has a very specific explanation. «We had already decided before the Tour that I would race San Sebastián. Since I hadn't raced much in the previous months, we thought it was right to continue for another week. For my body, it's better not to stop abruptly after three weeks of racing».

The absence of Tadej Pogacar inevitably changes the face of the race. Evenepoel starts as the favorite, although he knows perfectly well that controlling such a demanding race won't be simple.

«We'll have to take control of the race. UAE Team Emirates still has a very strong team. Narváez is going through a great moment of form and I expect an important performance from Giulio Ciccone as well, who won here last year».

With over 4,000 meters of elevation gain, the course offers ideal terrain for an attacker like him. And precisely for this reason, the Olympic champion already has in mind how he would like to claim the record.

«I didn't work much on the sprint before the Tour, so I would definitely feel more comfortable if I could arrive alone».

After all, this is precisely the image that most often accompanies Remco Evenepoel's victories: an attack from far away, irresistible acceleration, and a solitary ride to the finish line. Today, on the roads of San Sebastián, the Belgian has the opportunity to write another chapter in his career. After proving at the Tour that he can compete consistently with the world's best climbers, he now wants to claim a record that has stood for decades. A fourth victory would definitively transform the Clásica San Sebastián into "his" race and would represent the best way to open the second part of a season that is already heading straight toward the World Championships in Canada.