Armstrong comes up with alternative take on Evenepoel's withdrawal at Tour de France: "There is still something else going on"

Wiggins had already predicted after Friday’s stage that Evenepoel might abandon the race, and was proven right a day later. “This was predictable,” said the former Tour winner. “He was so disillusioned after that time trial on Friday, he was caught by Vingegaard, you know. Then on the Tourmalet, you see him riding all the way on the side of the road, frustrated in front of the cameras, longing for the moment the team car would come get him. Something clearly wasn’t right.”

Bruyneel called it painful to watch Evenepoel leave the race. “I understand his irritation toward the cameraman. He was so disappointed, so down. Just give the guy a moment of peace,” said the Belgian, a fellow countryman. “After his training crash, he didn’t touch a bike for four months. He started his season at the Brabantse Pijl with high intensity, but without the proper foundation. And that’s exactly what you need if you want to shine in a grand tour.”

“He had to face the best riders in the world here, and they all came in with nearly perfect preparation,” added Wiggins, referring to Evenepoel’s winter crash. “If you want to compete at that level, you have to be at 100 percent. Had Remco not crashed, he’d have been in a much better position. His time trial performance this Tour showed he’s still one of the best riders in the world, but four months without training is a long time.”

Wiggins has unwavering confidence that Evenepoel will recover. “He’s been in this situation before. Think back to his crash in the Tour of Lombardy, he came back from the dead. He’ll rise again. Remco is a true champion. He’ll now focus on the World Championships, and honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised if he wins two world titles there. That’s the kind of rider he is.”

Armstrong, however, believes that background noise is also playing a role. “There’s something else going on. The transfer rumors and I think they’re fairly credible. Those rumors drain energy, no matter what. And honestly, I wouldn’t want to be the manager of Red Bull–BORA–hansgrohe right now, with Florian Lipowitz riding so well and currently sitting third in the Tour. You can’t just push him aside for Remco, can you?” the American asked aloud.