With the 2024 season over, it's already time to think about next year. At least for Remco Evenepoel , second in the Lombardia and a positive protagonist previously with the conquest of the double Olympic gold and the third place in the Tour de France. The Belgian throws down the gauntlet to his rival Tadej Pogacar, winner of two Monuments, two Grand Tours and the World Championship in a fairytale 2024.

" Pogacar has been clearly superior all season, it's something we just have to accept," he told VTM , "from Strade Bianche to Liège-Bastogne-Liège, from the Giro d'Italia to the Tour de France and now today. The goal now is to close the gap in the winter. If anyone can reach Pogacar's level in the future, it's me. I'll give it my all, I just have to trust myself and the team and not lose hope."

Interviewed by Cyclingnews, the patron of Soudal Quick Step, Patrick Lefevere , added: " When Remco is well, he is really well, I think he has won all the time trials he has ridden, and he will also be 25 in January, so he still has room for growth. He won two medals at the Olympics in a special way, he won the time trial at the Tour and finished third in the general classification, taking the Maglia Bianca. He has been consistent, despite the bad luck of the crash at the Tour of the Basque Country where he broke his collarbone. Remco said he wants to win all three Grand Tours in his career. He won one, the Vuelta, so there are two left… ”.

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