Remco Evenepoel makes his first outing since the World Championships.
Three months after donning for the first time in his career the Tour de France’s white jersey – which he then carried to Nice – Remco Evenepoel will be back in Bologna, where one of the oldest and most spectacular Italian races on the calendar concludes this weekend after 215 kilometers.
Giro dell’Emilia runs its 107th edition on Saturday and the course starting in Vignola and concluding in Bologna – the longest in the last seven years – once again features five ascents of the iconic but gruelling San Luca ascent, which averages more than 10% over just two kilometers. On top of that, the riders should also face rain and low temperatures, which together with the challenging route could take their toll on the bunch.
The double Olympic Champion, who less than two weeks ago captured his second consecutive ITT World Title in Zurich after another fantastic ride, will lead Soudal Quick-Step’s effort at the Italian Classic, where he’ll be joined by Giro d’Italia top ten finisher Jan Hirt, William Junior Lecerf, Fausto Masnada, Pieter Serry, Ilan Van Wilder and Mauri Vansevenant, who recently took a spectacular solo win at the Tour de Luxembourg.
“Giro dell’Emilia is one of the most beautiful races of the month and we travel there with the motivation and determination of doing something nice. We start there our Italian block of racing, which culminates next weekend with Il Lombardia – the season’s final Monument – and we are confident in our chances, especially as we have a team capable of featuring in the business end of the race and fighting for a strong result”, explained sports director Davide Bramati.
Photo credit: ©SWpix
Pieter Serry 
Fausto Masnada 
Jan Hirt 