Evenepoel's Emotional Past and Future Teammate
In the world of cycling, emotions run high, and Remco Evenepoel, a talented young rider, has had his fair share of heated arguments with fellow cyclists. One such incident occurred during the 2021 Benelux Tour, involving Gianni Vermeersch, who is now set to become Evenepoel's teammate at the Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe team.
The clash between the two riders was intense, with Vermeersch's movement in the peloton causing Evenepoel to suffer a broken wheel and lose valuable time on a crucial stage. The aftermath of this incident saw a heated argument between the two, but now, they have put this dark chapter behind them.
Vermeersch, speaking to La Dernière Heure, shared a light-hearted anecdote about the incident, stating, 'Remco and I had a good laugh about it during the team's first training camp.' Despite the past tensions, Vermeersch maintains that he did nothing wrong, and he believes Evenepoel, with his newfound experience, understands this as well.
The team's recent camp in Salzburg, Austria, brought together new and existing riders, including Evenepoel, who joined from Soudal - Quick-Step, and Vermeersch, who was signed from Alpecin-Deceuninck. The camp was also notable for the absence of Oier Lazkano, whose departure from the German team was later confirmed.
As the team looks ahead to 2026, they face an intriguing challenge in managing their leaders. With several prominent figures eager for opportunities in the Grand Tours and main stage races, Evenepoel joins forces with Primoz Roglic, Florian Lipowitz, Giulio Pellizzari, and Jai Hindley. The team also includes quality sprinters and classics riders, setting the stage for a competitive and diverse lineup.
