Remco Evenepoel has described studies that he could attempt to go away Soudal-QuickStep and transfer to Ineos Grenadiers or one other rival groups as “small bullshit that’s going round”, insisting that he has the psychological power to concentrate on his packed summer season of racing that begins with the Clasica San Sebastian on Saturday and consists of the UCI Highway World Championships in Glasgow after which the Vuelta a España later in August.
In the course of the Tour de France, quite a few studies prompt that Israel-Premier Tech and different groups had joined Ineos Grenadiers in making an attempt to persuade Evenepoel and his entourage to interrupt his contract with Soudal-QuickStep, with cash seemingly accessible to cowl any contract buyout and a brand new wage near €6 million per season and a far stronger workforce to again his Tour de France ambitions.
It additionally emerged {that a} US investor, considered somebody related to the Wasserman Sports activities administration company, had enquired about shopping for Soudal-QuickStep however then opted in opposition to the thought on account of a scarcity of the workforce’s doable profitability.
Group supervisor Patrick Lefevere performed down studies he may lose Evenepoel and that he would promote his 20% share within the workforce. He instructed his riders and workers on the Tour de France that he has promised the workforce’s main sponsors to remain as CEO till 2027, with Mikel Landa on doable goal to strengthen the workforce for 2024.
Evenepoel has thus far stated little in regards to the studies that he’s sad about his present contract at Soudal-QuickStep and the power of the workforce as he makes an attempt to tackle Jonas Vingegaard and Tadej Pogacar on the 2024 Tour de France. Chatting with a choose group of media, together with Cyclingnews, on the eve of the Clasica San Sebastian, he claimed he had little actual data and insisted he was comfortable on the Belgian workforce.
“It is really humorous as a result of, from the skin, you guys know greater than I do myself,” Evenepoel stated.
“So it is some issues which can be going round that I am not even conscious of myself and in addition inside my entourage, and my household would not even learn about all these issues. So it is issues going round that I do not even learn about, which is fairly particular.
“I believe mentally I am robust sufficient to concentrate on what I’ve to do in the summertime is coming. I imply, there isn’t any purpose to be sad right here. It is all a little bit of, for instance, small bullshit that’s going round. Sorry for the phrase I did not know a greater phrase to say.”
Evenepoel watched the 2023 Tour de France on tv whereas at an altitude coaching camp in Italy to organize for the World Championships and Vuelta a España.
He was impressed as Jonas Vingegaard and Tadej Pogacar fought for the yellow jersey and accepted that he has some work to do to compete in opposition to them within the 20024 Tour de France.
“That is a really tough query. We are going to by no means know. We are going to know subsequent yr in all probability,” Evenepoel. stated when requested if he’s near their degree of efficiency.
“But when I’ve to consider the calculations, from the watts per kilo and stuff like that, they’re numbers I’ve additionally been pushing already. However in fact, it is day after day (on the Tour de France). So I believe they achieved an unbelievable degree this yr, an unimaginable degree.
“Now it is as much as me, I’ve one yr of labor to make massive steps ahead, to return near these two loopy guys and tremendous good riders. I hope to be up there with them subsequent yr.”