Choosing the Giro d'Italia over the Tour de France for Evenepoel seemed obvious, but when the official announcement arrived, the Italian fans rejoiced. After all, even we at Fantacycling had anticipated a 90% chance of seeing Remco at the start in the next pink race and a few days before the official announcement we had the pleasure of hosting Quick-Step sporting director Davide Bramati in our living room on YouTube , engaged right together with Evenepoel, in reconnaissance of the stages of the next Giro.

“It was a choice made in the last week – explained Bramati – we thought that the Giro was the most appropriate race for his growth. There are two time trials suitable for him because the third is a time trial that resembles the Zoncolan and after two weeks of battle, great legs will be needed. The Vuelta he won this year was certainly very different, the important thing is to be in condition right from the start. We will come to the start very motivated”.

WATCH HERE THE LIVE WITH DAVIDE BRAMATI AND MATTIA CATTANEO ? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFez4Zw0woQ&t=51s

Velo News also opened a discussion within the editorial staff, wondering if the choice of the Belgian was the right one. Sadhbh O'Shea thinks so, because “the Tour de France is on another level. It can wait for another season. He has time. His decision was facilitated by the presentation of the two routes in October." The design of the track with over 60 km timed in Italy.  

Andrew Hood lingers longer on what he thinks is a lost opportunity: “Oh, Remco - he says - what have you done? the Giro is one thing that strikes a perfect balance between drama, importance and surprise, but I think Evenepoel is wrong to put the Giro on his radar right now. Sure, with the course so skewed towards the time trials and a host of second-tier rivals, Evenepoel will be the five-star favorite to win. It makes perfect sense that he goes to the Giro, completes his resume, wins the pink jersey and brings this momentum, this confidence and this experience to the 2024 Tour. There is only one problem with this logic: cycling is often illogical. Things rarely go according to plan. Just look at how things went for Tadej Pogačar and his plans for a third consecutive yellow jersey. If Quick-Step and Evenepoel think a direct confrontation with Pogačar and Vingegaard is too much in 2023, why should it be easier in 2024?”.

According to Hood's thesis, “Evenepoel will have all the pressure on him to win the Giro in 2023. If he wins and shows up for the Tour in 2024, expectations will be even higher.

Photo: Sprint Cycling Agency