'I'm giving my best for Soudal-QuickStep' - Evenepoel stays focused ahead of Red Bull switch

Remco Evenepoel (Soudal-QuickStep) has returned to action at the Tour of Britain on Tuesday, his first race since abandoning the Tour de France on the Col du Tourmalet in July, as he builds form towards the World Championships in Rwanda later this month.

Speaking to Daniel Benson at the Tour of Britain, Evenepoel’s directeur sportif, Klaas Lodewyck said: “He went on a little holiday, and that did him quite well. At one point, you need to have that reset, but he took his time, and from there it’s gone pretty smoothly,”

The Belgian spent three weeks at altitude in Livigno before arriving in the UK, using the Tour of Britain to sharpen his condition ahead of the Worlds time trial and road race, just as he did twelve months ago.

In the 2024 edition, Evenepoel helped his French teammate Paul Magnier to three stage wins, while finishing 28th overall himself, opting against competing for the GC. He would go on to win the time trial before finishing 5th in the road race in the World Championships in Switzerland.

“It’s still difficult to say where his form is. We’ll see more tomorrow because the race becomes harder after that, but the feelings are good and he did decent training in Livigno, so for the moment, he’s on track for a good Worlds,” said Lodewyck to Benson.

During the period of his abandon from the Tour de France to the start of the Tour of Britain, Evenepoel’s transfer to Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe was officially confirmed, and Lodewyck believes that this has lifted a weight from his rider’s shoulders. 

“For Remco, it is because it dragged on for so long. First, there was the story about Visma [2023], then there was another story, so it’s good that he could make a decision on his future,” said Lodewyck. “He also knows that he’s going to arrive in a strong squad. It was also strong here, but some fresh air will do him good. Otherwise, you have to speak with both sides, so it’s good that it’s finally a decision.”

Evenepoel himself appears content with his current condition ahead of his main remaining goals of 2025, and in his final few months in Soudal-QuickStep colours. 

"It feels good. I'm actually happy to be back in competition, and I think that the course this year in the Tour of Britain is pretty hard, so it's a perfect race to get back into competition. I've been at altitude, and then a good block of competition should get me ready for the Worlds,” Evenepoel told Benson and Cycling Weekly.

Serge Pauwels announced the Belgian squad for the Rwanda Worlds on Tuesday, featuring three debutants for the elite road race in current teammate Ilan Van Wilder, in-form Cian Uijtdebroeks, and Classics specialist Florian Vermeersch. The experienced Tiesj Benoot and Victor Campenaerts were already confirmed, and they have been joined by the current Alpecin-Deceuninck duo of Quinten Hermans and Xandro Meurisse.

When asked if his squad would be the strongest in Rwanda, Evenepoel remained cautious: "Maybe, but you can have the strongest team, but you need to be ready on the day itself, have good tactics, and definitely you need the legs on courses like those."

Regarding his much-discussed transfer, Evenepoel is focused on his remaining time with his current team: "For me, in this moment, the most important thing is to keep going and to give the best version of myself in my last races for Soudal Quick-Step."

Lodewyck has been widely speculated to join Evenepoel at Red Bull for 2026, but not official confirmation has been made and he himself remained coy, "News will come later on...We'll see later on."