Romain Bardet (DSM-firmenich PostNL) and Remco Evenepoel (Soudal Quick-Step) recently had something of a bromance within the peloton, with the Frenchman’s son even winning a Belgian national champion’s jersey.
Speaking to the Dutch website In de Leiderstrui, Bardet spoke about the friendship between him and the Soudal Quick-Step captain. “To be honest, I was one of the first to have doubts about him,” he honestly admits.
Junior who would win everything
“I first heard about Evenepoel when I spoke to Julian Alaphilippe (Soudal Quick-Step). He told me that a junior was coming who would win everything and I thought: ok, that’s up to the juniors, I want to see that on the World Tour.”
It wasn’t long before Evenepoel began to impress Bardet. “I saw him win in the San Sebastian Classic in 2019. At that moment I thought: ok, we have someone here,” he recalls.
Remco Evenepoel’s Arrogance
Although the Belgian was considered a rather arrogant young man at the beginning, since then Evenepoel has matured considerably, reveals Bardet. “Remco has also changed, the arrogance he radiated is no longer there,” he explains. “He is a driver who is highly respected by everyone.”
“We have a very good relationship. We keep in good contact, even during the winter holidays. I think he’s a really cool guy and I support him, because he has something special. All Grand Tour winners have that, but with him it looks different,” continues Bardet. “The path he’s taken in life and career… hasn’t been a constant line, but he still has the aura of someone very special.”