Long pre-race interview.
Remco Evenepoel sluit zijn voorjaar af in Luik-Bastenaken-Luik, het monument dat hij al 2 keer won. Voor het eerst staat hij er samen met grote favoriet Tadej Pogacar ("Het is logisch dat hij boven mij staat") in topvorm aan de start. Ook voor Paul Seixas is Evenepoel op zijn hoede, al houdt hij...
sporza.be
AI summary:
• Evenepoel states he is starting this edition with more confidence and better physical form than last year. He is coming off a major boost after winning his first-ever Amstel Gold Race a week ago, where he beat Mattias Skjelmose in a sprint.
• He intentionally skipped La Flèche Wallonne to ensure he arrives at the start of "La Doyenne" as fresh as possible, focusing entirely on the 260-kilometer Monument.
• Despite his own confidence, Evenepoel acknowledges Tadej Pogačar as the clear top favorite, noting that the Slovenian "wins almost everywhere." Evenepoel hopes the race remains exciting and competitive for as long as possible.
• He identifies the 19-year-old Paul Seixas as a dangerous outsider who could finish in the top five, though he cautions that the "last hour" of a six-hour race is a different beast for such a young rider.
• Evenepoel raised several safety issues:
• He criticized the positioning of motorbikes, which he says often ride too close and can unfairly influence the race or create dangerous situations.
• He warned about the deteriorating state of the roads in the Ardennes, specifically highlighting the dangerous descent of the Côte du Rosier.
• He called on the organizers (ASO) to prioritize rider safety regarding these road conditions.
• The article also notes that Evenepoel has solidified his future by signing a lifelong contract with Specialized, ensuring he will ride their bikes for the remainder of his career, a deal facilitated following his move to Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe.
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