Twenty-three of our riders will compete for the road race title, on June 23, in nine different countries.
In the more than two decades that have passed since the team’s inception, Soudal Quick-Step has won a staggering 70 National Championships with 32 different riders across 19 countries on three continents. The most recent of these titles was captured last season in Belgium, where Remco Evenepoel took a spectacular victory from a two-man move after he attacked in the closing kilometers of the race.
Unfortunately, the 24-year-old will not be able to defend his road race title at the Belgian National Championships, due to him having a cold. While it is only a minor illness, Remco and our team have decided that having had an extended period at an altitude camp it would be better that he does not start what will be a competitive and demanding race and avoids risking further disruption to his preparations for the forthcoming Tour de France and Olympic Games.
Remco himself explained: “I am upset to not be at the Belgian Championships. Winning the race last year and wearing the famous Belgian tricolour jersey has been a great honour for me and it would have been a privilege to try to defend the jersey I love so much. And while I am not very sick, I would not be able to race at 100% of my capabilities, which is what a race this important demands, and we think that it is better that I don’t take any risks so close to the Tour de France. I wish my teammates good luck in the race and hopefully we can keep that beautiful jersey in the team!”
“Sunday is going to be one of the best days of the year. There will be a lot of racing going on and we aim to be again among the protagonists. It goes without saying that we want to have a good outing in Belgium, where the parcours is harder than it looks. But Belgium isn’t the only country where we could get some nice results, so we are quite confident in our chances”, said sports director Tom Steels.
Belgium
Sint-Lievens-Houtem – Zottegem (218.3km)
Riders: Ayco Bastiaens, Gil Gelders, Yves Lampaert, William Junior Lecerf, Tim Merlier, Bert Van Lerberghe, Ilan Van Wilder, Warre Vangheluwe, Mauri Vansevenant, Louis Vervaeke, Jordi Warlop.
Czech Republic
Jevíčko (203.1km)
Riders: Josef Cerny, Jan Hirt.
Denmark
Herning (218.6km)
Riders: Kasper Asgreen, Casper Pedersen.
France
Saint-Martin-de-Landelles (240.9km)
Riders: Julian Alaphilippe, Antoine Huby, Paul Magnier.
Great Britain
Saltburn-by-the-Sea (183.2km)
Riders: James Knox.
Italy
Firenze – Sesto Fiorentino (228.2km)
Riders: Gianni Moscon.
Netherlands
Arnhem (199.4km)
Riders: Pepijn Reinderink.
Slovakia
Jevíčko (203.1km)
Riders: Martin Svrcek.
Spain
San Lorenzo de El Escorial (203.9km)
Riders: Mikel Landa.
Photo credit: ©Wout Beel