Tadej Pogacar Mathieu van der Poel duel inspires Remco Evenepoel comeback

BRUSSELS – Double Olympic champion Remco Evenepoel has drawn inspiration during his struggle with injury and personal demons by watching his rivals Tadej Pogacar and Mathieu van der Poel in recent one-day races.

The 25-year-old tore shoulder ligaments when a postal van door was opened on him in December during a training ride, an injury he said “would have ended my career if I had been a tennis or basketball player”.

He also admitted he had been drained by the crash, even imagining premature retirement.

But the Belgian said his competitive spirit was reignited by watching races from his sickbed and sofa.

Van der Poel won Paris-Roubaix at the weekend and Pogacar won Flanders the week before.

Clocking 3hr 35min 14sec, Evenepoel also won at the Brabantse Pijl in Belgium on April 18. On his return from injury, the Soudal-QuickStep rider outsprinted compatriot Wout van Aert of Visma-Lease a Bike at the end of the 162.6km race from Beersel to Overijse.

“I thought I was beaten even before the sprint started,” said Evenepoel, who will be tackling the Amstel Gold on April 20, when he will take on Pogacar.

He called Pogacar an “inspiration”, adding: “But I have to be able to beat him. That’s what my team pays me for.”

“It was amazing to see van der Poel and Pogacar battling it out. It motivated me to push myself in training. I too want to compete at San Remo, the Ronde (Flanders),and Roubaix one day.”

Evenepoel came third at the 2024 Tour de France while picking up the best young rider award. He also won the Olympic time trial and road race gold medals in Paris.

However, he thought that his career may be over after his horror crash in December, when he suffered fractures to his rib,