Evenepoel tackles iconic climbs in final test before Tour of Flanders debut

The 26-year-old Belgian joined his Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe teammates on Thursday for a reconnaissance ride of the final 80 kilometres of Sunday’s race. The session began on the Oude Kwaremont and included key sectors of the decisive finale.

Conditions quickly turned challenging. Rain showers hit during the ride, and the riders encountered particularly difficult terrain on the Koppenberg.

Earlier that morning, the iconic cobbled climb had been partially blocked following an accident involving a truck, leaving mud scattered across the road. The result was a treacherous surface, with the cobbles described as extremely slippery.

Evenepoel, however, managed to crest the climb without putting a foot down, unlike several others.

It wasn’t the first time Remco Evenepoel had reconnoitred the course. Yesterday, he released a video showing him in a black Specialized kit performing a two day reconnaissance of the Tour of Flanders route in late December, just days before the official start of his contract with Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe.

Sports director Klaas Lodewyck was satisfied with the day’s work, emphasising the value of experiencing different conditions.

“We’ve seen the most beautiful side of Flanders, but also the worst with the rain,” he said to Het Laatste Nieuws. “It’s important to be prepared for both scenarios. There’s always a chance of showers on Sunday, even if the forecasts are improving.”

The reconnaissance also served a technical purpose, allowing the team to fine tune Evenepoel’s equipment setup.

“The setup was important today, especially to check things like tyre pressure one last time. The fact that he could ride up the Koppenberg smoothly shows that everything is in order.”

For Evenepoel, Sunday will mark his first appearance in the Tour of Flanders. Lodewyck believes the nature of the course leaves the race wide open. “It’s a parcours where something can happen anywhere. There isn’t one single point where you can say the race will be decided. That makes it very challenging and unpredictable.”

While Evenepoel arrives in strong form, the team remains cautious about expectations on such unfamiliar terrain.

“It’s his first real experience of this race and these kinds of efforts. We’ll have to see. But he’s motivated and in very good condition, which is important.”

Asked about the biggest challenge, Lodewyck did not hesitate. “Looking at the recent races, it’s about following Tadej Pogačar.”