The 22-year-old is excited about riding one last time together with Iljo Keisse.
Remco Evenepoel will compete for the first and only time this year in the rainbow jersey at next week’s Binche-Chimay-Binche, one of the most spectacular one-day races of these closing weeks of the season. The combination of hills, cobblestones and narrow roads on the local circuit always spices things up and could see the 198.6km race come to life early, especially as many will try to prevent the sprinters from being in the mix at the end.
“I am really looking forward to riding in my new jersey in front of my home crowd for the first time, but I also can’t wait to race one last time with Iljo. He has been a great influence on my career, he guided me ever since turning pro, and we will miss his presence, his wise words and experience in the peloton next season. But until then, we have one more outing together and we are determined to show the Wolfpack spirit in front of our fans”, said the fourth rider in history to win a Monument, a Grand Tour and the Worlds in the same season.
Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl’s squad for Binche-Chimay-Binche will also include French Champion Florian Sénéchal, Stijn Steels, 2014 winner Zdenek Stybar, as well as neo-pros Martin Svrcek and Stan Van Tricht.
“We know the route very well, and the key will be the local laps, but it will all depend on the weather. As things stand at the moment, it’s going to be rainy and windy, and this could change the race. But the riders are motivated, we have several guys who can do something interesting on this course, and we’ll do everything in our power to get a good result”, explained sports director Rik Van Slycke.
Photo credit: ©Tim De Waele / Getty Images
