"Remco is Starving for Victory": Will Evenepoel Exact His Revenge Against Pogačar at the European Championships?
In the world of competitive cycling, one setback can fuel an athlete’s fire like nothing else. After experiencing a devastating misfortune during the road world championships in Kigali, Remco Evenepoel is ready to take on a fresh challenge this week in France. Just three days after a mechanical mishap eliminated his hopes of winning the coveted rainbow jersey in Rwanda, this Belgian cyclist is gearing up for a crucial opportunity to reclaim his status at the European Championships, where he will face off against none other than Tadej Pogačar once again.
On Wednesday, Evenepoel will kick off his campaign in the time trial event, followed by a grueling 200km road race on Sunday, a contest that will feature a thrilling rematch with Pogačar—one he hopes will be entirely free of bike troubles.
Serge Pauwels, the Belgian national coach, shared his insights with HLN, explaining that although the recovery period is brief, the stakes for the time trial are not excessively high. "Remco is feeling at ease, yet he is undoubtedly driven and eager to succeed," Pauwels remarked. "He cannot wait for the upcoming road race."
This year, the European Championships promise to be more competitive than ever, with formidable riders such as Jonas Vingegaard, Mads Pedersen, and João Almeida joining the fray after skipping the earlier race in Rwanda.
For Evenepoel, these Euros represent an immediate chance for redemption following a chaotic experience in Rwanda, during which unforeseen bike troubles derailed his chances at victory in critical moments of the race.
Still Reeling from Rwanda: ‘The Strongest Participant Emerged Victorious’
Pauwels conveyed to HLN the series of unfortunate events that transpired during the road race, which devolved into a nightmare of bike exchanges and rising frustration. A pothole on the challenging Mount Kigali loop disrupted Evenepoel's saddle, significantly affecting his performance just before the most important part of the climb.
Under immense pressure, his race quickly unraveled in front of a global audience as Pogačar and Isaac del Toro surged ahead. Ultimately, Pogačar claimed his second rainbow jersey while Evenepoel, despite feeling out of the contest, managed to secure a silver medal after regrouping and launching an attack of his own.
According to his team, that errant pothole was responsible for misaligning Evenepoel's saddle, leading to a cascade of bike switches that ultimately shifted his focus from chasing gold to merely aiming for silver.
Pauwels reflected on the chaotic aftermath of this breakdown, which unfolded during a race that lacked the benefit of communication through race radios. "I had a brief conversation with Remco during breakfast, and he admitted he shouldn’t have stopped. But in such a high-pressure moment, it’s a tough call to make when you're isolated and lack a clear perspective," Pauwels explained. "Viewing the race from home gives a completely different understanding of the situation."
The Belgian squad faced significant challenges from the start, especially after time trial medalist and key support rider Ilan Van Wilder crashed and fractured his wrist. Adding to the growing anxiety, Evenepoel's saddle issues heightened the tension as several crucial climbs lay ahead. Following an initial bike swap, Evenepoel insisted on yet another change due to concerns over saddle height.
In a moment of extreme frustration, he expressed his discontent by kicking his bike, screaming at the cameras, and showing his irritation as the opportunity for gold slipped away.
"In our assessments, everything appeared to be fine with the bike after checking it multiple times," shared Dario Kloeck, Evenepoel's cousin and mechanic.
Regardless of whether the issues were real or perceived, they left Evenepoel trailing the competition throughout the race. The unfortunate delay set him back by 45 seconds before teammate Quinten Hermans managed to bring him back into contention; however, by then, Pogačar had moved ahead.
"The strongest rider won today," Pauwels summarized, acknowledging that, under optimal conditions, Evenepoel might have had a better shot at victory. "We faced a streak of misfortune—losing Ilan, having Tiesj Benoot absent, and the bike issues."
Will the Outcome Be Different at the Euros?
Cycling fans are in for a treat as they will witness another high-stakes showdown between Evenepoel and Pogačar just a week after their Kigali encounter.
The 2025 European Championships will feature three of the cycling elite, as Vingegaard enters the mix for this rare elite national competition.
Pauwels, having transitioned from professional cyclist to head of the Belgian national team, commented on how the demanding nature of Rwanda's course might echo in France. "Remco struggled with the toughness of the course, perhaps even finding it a bit overwhelming," Pauwels noted. "Comparing the world championships from a decade ago, it feels like we’re dealing with an entirely different sport today."
While Evenepoel secured a silver medal in the road race, he fell short of becoming the inaugural rider to win both the rainbow jersey in the time trial and the road race within the same calendar year. Only a handful of cyclists, including Miguel Indurain and Abraham Olano in 1995, have come close to this achievement, each capturing medals in these two demanding events in a different sequence.
Evenepoel himself had a near-miss in 2022 when he won the road race but only managed a bronze in the time trial. Wout van Aert also achieved silver medals in both events during the 2020 races.
But the tension doesn’t end with the European Championships; Evenepoel and Pogačar will again cross paths in the prestigious Il Lombardia on October 11, marking the finale of the 2025 racing season.
So, how do you think this racing saga will unfold? Will Evenepoel reclaim his glory, or is Pogačar’s dominance unshakable? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
