https://sporza.be/nl/2019/06/15/lodewyck-en-de-weert-over-evenepoel/
Editted google translate:
"Even though Evenepoel is shining, the first two years remain a learning experience"
Remco Evenepoel amazed a lot of people again in the Baloise Belgium Tour. (img)
Remco Evenepoel has shown all his qualities in recent days in the Baloise Belgium Tour. Praises were sung like never before. "Let us enjoy what he can do", says Klaas Lodewyck, his team boss at Deceuninck-Quick Step.
Lodewyck: "Exceptional, but remain down to earth"
Evenepoel seized power in the 2nd stage to Zottegem, which he won solo in an impressive way. He confirmed in the time trial on Friday and in the Ardennes hills on Saturday the 19-year-old super talent did not falter when Wellens and Campenaerts attacked him. Yesterday his leader's jersey was never in danger.
Team boss Lodewyck saw how Evenepoel controlled the queen stage on Saturday: "He did everything he had to do," says the former rider to Sporza.
"When Wellens started, Remco knew he had to find his own pace. He let him ride away for 10 seconds, closed the gap carefully again, let him struggle for a moment and then took control of the race himself."
"Whether Remco is someone who talks a lot during the race? No. He said maybe 3 or 4 times in the ear:" Good job, guys, I'm proud of you! "." With Capecchi and Keisse in the team, among other things, there was sufficient experience to assist him. "
"In the time trial he finished fourth, but it felt like a victory. At that age (19) we can only be satisfied. We have always protected him well with the team and have brought him gradually. De Baloise Belgium Tour was a goal for him. If you see where he is already, you know he's doing well. "
"Everyone has already had patience with Remco and will also have to be patient in the future. Even though he is shining, the first 2 years remain a learning experience. But that's the nice thing about it. What he does is exceptional, but it is it is important that he stays down to earth. Let us enjoy what he 's showing so far. "
De Weert (Lotto-Soudal): "He confirms what we expected of him"
Kevin De Weert saw his pupil Victor Campenaerts win in the Ardennes, but the performance manager of Lotto-Soudal could not ignore an "astonishing" Evenepoel. The former coach sees the confirmation of what he already expected of the young talent.
"We have seen an astonishing Evenepoel in recent days. Ever since the Hammer Series in Limburg he has shown himself to the pro peloton, even though he has shown nice things before. I knew him before he became a cyclist. He was part of the climbing project and I have been able to follow his entire evolution ", continues De Weert.
"He is a very pleasant boy with his feet firmly on the ground. Although there is no one else who can do this at the age of 19. Last year he became European champion on the road with a 10-minute lead, he became world champion and took the European and world title in time trial, so he confirms what we expected of him. "
The question now is: what are the following goals for Evenepoel and where does this all go? "I think they should guide him well. But they are already doing very well at Deceuninck-Quick Step. He is very well surrounded with people like Vanmol. Let him grow quietly and we'll see where it takes him, "says De Weert.
Evenepoel takes the blue leader's sweater home. (img)