Remco firsts

Few riders have the swagger of the current world champion Remco Evenepoel. Chris Marshall-Bell finds out where he got it from

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Confidence and a deep sense of belief in oneself are essential traits for an elite sportsperson, and when Remco Evenepoel finished second at the Volta a Catalunya in March, winning two stages and finishing just six seconds behind overall winner Primož Roglič, he loudly exhibited both in his poststage interview.

“Were you expecting such a good result here in preparation for the Giro d’Italia?” asked the TV journalist.

“Yes, I knew I was good, so I was hoping to come here for the podium and to win some stages, and in the end coming second in GC by only six seconds is like the same time, no? It’s almost the same,” Evenepoel said, his face devoid of a wry smile. “If you see how strong Primož was, and how strong I was compared to the others behind us, one of us was meant to be the winner.”

Evenepoel was gracious in defeat, congratulating Roglič, but there was no sign, no indication, that he had in fact… lost. In his mind, he was the joint-winner. It wasn’t delusion and nor was it arrogance that Evenepoel was showcasing, it was just absolute conviction and self-confidence that he is world champion because, well, he is the best bike rider in the world; he exudes swagger on and off his bike.

That level of confidence has never been lacking with Evenepoel. On his first training ride with Quick Step Floors, as they were then known in 2018, an 18-year-old Evenepoel immediately stood out.