Remco Evenepoel to defend Vuelta a España title

After an early departure from the Giro d’Italia, Remco Evenepoel was forced to rejig his season, and it seems Vuelta a España is now a major goal. This will be the fourth Grand Tour for the reigning world champion.

Since cute little skits seem to be all the rage in cycling social media posts these days,
Soudal Quick-Step jumped on the train to tease the Belgian’s Vuelta plans. The team tweeted a video of two staff members wondering out loud if Evenepoel will ride in Spain or not. After some truly remarkable acting, the camera pans left and lo and behold, there he is, confirming he will be there.

¡Olé! ?@EvenepoelRemco returns at the start of @lavuelta, where last year he wrote history for Soudal Quick-Step and Belgium ? pic.twitter.com/DmAOIejx44

— Soudal Quick-Step Pro Cycling Team (@soudalquickstep) July 10, 2023

“I am really excited to return at the Vuelta. I obviously have only great memories from my first participation last year when we had an amazing time and I can’t wait to be there again, to take on the race and its many challenges and to meet again those amazing fans whose fantastic energy you feel every day,” Evenepoel said in a statement from the team.

“As you all know, I love racing in Spain, many of my biggest victories since turning pro have come there, and I hope I will continue on this road next month, when together with my Soudal Quick-Step teammates I will be at the start in Barcelona, where just a couple of months ago I took a nice win in rainbow”, said Remco, who is preparing for the second part of the year in the spectacular surroundings of Val di Fassa.

According to Soudal Quick-Step, following an altitude training camp, Evenepoel will resume competition at the Clasica San Sebastian and from where he will travel to Glasgow, to defend his 2022 road worlds title.