'Cycling isn't forever' – Remco Evenepoel keeps broader perspective on sport as return to racing at Amstel Gold looms

Remco Evenepoel is preparing to return to racing at the Amstel Gold Race, following a strong podium finish at the Tour of Flanders. The Belgian rider has been managing the heightened expectations that come with his rapid rise in the sport, emphasising a broader perspective on cycling beyond immediate results. Evenepoel acknowledges the pressure but insists he has grown more comfortable with it over his seven to eight years as a professional, focusing on personal improvement rather than external comparisons. Despite competing in the same era as the formidable Tadej Pogačar, Evenepoel views this as motivation rather than discouragement. He plans to contest several key Spring Classics, including La Flèche Wallonne and Liège-Bastogne-Liège, where he will face Pogačar and other emerging talents like Paul Seixas. Evenepoel’s approach centres on self-development, aiming to become the best version of himself both on and off the bike, recognising there is still significant room for growth in his career. A recent change in coach and team environment at Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe has reinvigorated Evenepoel’s motivation, but he stresses the importance of maintaining balance between professional and personal life. He warns against becoming overly consumed by cycling, highlighting the value of family and personal well-being as priorities. This philosophy, shared within his team, helps him manage the pressures of competition and enjoy the positive moments alongside the challenges. Looking ahead, Evenepoel has no immediate plans to pursue the Hour Record, setting that goal aside until at least 2030. Instead, he is optimistic about the prospects of his younger teammate Giulio Pellizzari, who impressed with a top-six finish at the Giro d’Italia and a stage win at the Vuelta a España. Evenepoel believes Pellizzari is on the cusp of Grand Tour podium contention and could become one of the leading riders in the discipline, signalling promising prospects for the team’s future ambitions.