The Belgian champion analyses the gap with the Slovenian after his silver medal at the European Championships and looks to the future with Red Bull-Bora Hansgrohe.
After yet another display of strength by Tadej Pogačar at the European Championships , Remco Evenepoel lucidly analyses the gap that still separates him from the Slovenian phenomenon, despite the silver medal he won.
It was the first time I was able to follow his attack for so long, without being completely dropped, which is positive. But if I want to beat him in the future, I need to work on this kind of effort. Those three to five minutes of really hard work on the climbs,' the Belgian commented.
The challenge of bridging this gap will also be a priority for his new team, Red Bull-Bora Hansgrohe, starting in 2026. "How can I improve? Fortunately, I'm changing teams, and it will be up to my new coach to sort this out," Evenepoel added. "I worked on it this summer, and in the last few weeks and months, I feel like I'm improving. It will be important to train specifically for this during the winter."
Sven Vanthourenhout, the former Belgian coach who will follow Evenepoel to Red Bull, is confident: "I'm convinced that Remco hasn't reached his development limit yet and that he can get closer to Pogačar through performance, nutrition, and training." The technical expert focused in particular on Pogačar's ability to sustain intense anaerobic efforts longer than anyone else.
"At the European Championships, he pushed around 460 watts for fifteen minutes during his attack. That's immense power. Pogačar can maintain this kind of acceleration longer than anyone else," explained Vanthourenhout, who nevertheless remains optimistic: "Remco won't improve by another 15%, but I truly believe that in one-day races—I'm not talking about stage races—he can become Pogačar's equal."
The next opportunity to compete will be Sunday at the Giro di Lombardia , the final Monument of the season. Despite Pogačar's latest display of strength, Evenepoel isn't defeated: "Everyone knows I'm motivated to win the Giro di Lombardia. I'll have to try to stay with him as long as possible with the legs I have now. I'll give it my all, and I feel ready."
Photo: Sprint Cycling Agency
