Remco Evenepoel has spoken for the first time about the entire saga regarding the potential merger of Jumbo-Visma and Soudal Quick-Step. The Belgian champion, who is one of the favorites for Il Lombardia on Saturday, told Belgian channels VTM and HLN that he knew nothing about it. “We have received no information. And so, we have no answers,” Evenepoel says.
“We simply don’t know anything. I only know what you know. Come on, what you write. Right now, there are only question marks for everyone. All we can do is wait. And I hope everything works out. We can’t predict what will happen in the next ten days or two weeks,” says the Belgian, who, according to CEO Patrick Lefevere, has talked to Jumbo-Visma and may be heading to INEOS Grenadiers.
Evenepoel reveals pressure
Evenepoel acknowledges that the news has an impact. “There’s a somewhat strange, somewhat confusing atmosphere. Some people handle it differently than others,” he observes. “I know what it’s like to perform under pressure. But other guys still don’t handle this pressure well, they have more difficulty with it.”
Evenepoel knows that the deadline for submitting a license request to the UCI for the new team is October 16. “Look, you can and are allowed to sign anywhere until December 31,” says Evenepoel. “So, there’s no rush. Winter is still long. Everyone wants to know what will happen to Soudal Quick-Step as soon as possible. In that sense, the lingering question marks are definitely not cool.”
Save the panic for later
“I can use all my energy for Il Lombardia. I’m here to pursue my last big goal of the season. I’m more concerned about that. We have to do what we’re known for: ride as fast as possible and try to achieve a good result. There are reasons to panic and stress, but we should save that for after the season.”
