'He has stolen many hearts' - Vanthourenhout hails Evenepoel's Red Bull integration

Evenepoel was quick out of the blocks with his new team, winning six times in his first eight race days of the season. A stage victory in the time trial at the UAE Tour followed, before a couple of difficult days on the summit finishes in the Middle East saw the Belgian slip to 10th in the GC.

Speaking to Het Laatste Nieuws, Red Bull sports director Sven Vanthourenhout was asked whether he thinks Evenepoel is better suited as a Grand Tour rider or a Classics rider. 

“Gosh, I understand the doubts about the Grand Tour rider Evenepoel. But he's already won the Vuelta,” Vanthourenhout told Het Laatste Nieuws. "And without the Covid case, that might have been the case with the Giro [in 2023 - ed]. So if you ask me today if he can also win the Tour: yes.

“I think we should keep believing in that. Because one day, at the right time, we may be able to get the very best version of Remco, while that is not the case with his big competitors. It's his temperament, and you have to respect him in that, because that's where his great power can lie in."

The Belgian Sports Director suggested that while Evenepoel is currently a better Classics rider, that doesn’t take away from his ability and ambitions to succeed in Grand Tours as well. 

“Is he a better one-day rider than a Grand Tour rider? Of course, his honour roll says that a bit. And there are many more big one-day races that he can or will win,” said Vanthourenhout.

“But at the same time, he continues to cherish that Tour dream. Even though he realises that it will be a huge challenge, that he won't succeed just like that.”

Vanthourenhout highlighted the character and mentality of the Olympic champion, explaining how well Evenepoel has integrated into the squad.

“When Remco signed, many wondered: who is he really? How is he going to behave here? Like an island within the team? Or will he integrate smoothly?” said Vanthourenhout.

“The reality is that Remco immediately opened up enormously. In his typical way. By showing genuine interest in many things. In the team's WhatsApp groups, he is invariably one of the first to drop or respond to something.

“Even the rookies and juniors receive congratulations from him on winning. And he also regularly sends messages to soigneurs, mechanics, physios... He has already stolen many hearts with that.”

Evenepoel is set to resume his season at the Volta a Catalunya, which kicks off on March 23, where he is set to line up alongside teammate Florian Lipowitz and face the likes of Jonas Vingegaard and João Almeida. 

From there, the Olympic champion will tackle the Ardennes Classics before turning focus towards the Tour de France, which begins in Barcelona on July 4.