De Cauwer and Gilbert support Evenepoel’s exit from Soudal Quick-Step: "We could sense his discomfort in this team"

The transfer had been in the air for some time. After months, if not years, of speculation, the deal is now finalized. Why was it finalized now? “I think the teams and Remco are more ready for it,” De Cauwer told Sporza. “At Soudal-Quick Step, they have to look ahead. If there is no money now for later (after Evenepoel’s departure, ed.), then it is better to get money now for the whole story.”  

The German team is reportedly paying 3 million euros for the Olympic champion. Ralph Denk's team is clearly not short of money. That should help to build a better entourage around the new leader. “It should be a good move. There is more money, and with more money, they can change things. I think they will provide him with an even better support structure. It's not that Soudal-Quick Step wasn't ready, but I think Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe can throw even more money at it. That's what Remco is looking for, an even better support network."

With a better climbing team around him, Evenepoel will have to focus on the Grand Tours, says De Cauwer: in particular, winning the Tour de France. "He must continue to aim for that. People sometimes say that he would be better off focusing on one-day races, but he must continue to go after that ultimate goal." Last year, the Belgian finished third in his debut in La Grande Boucle; this year, he didn't make it to the finish line.

With his departure to Red Bull, the world time trial champion is leaving his old nest behind. He has been riding for Soudal Quick-Step since 2019, and it will take some getting used to. But the change in environment could actually give him a boost. “It doesn't have to be a group of friends. At a certain point, you have to decide: this is how we're going to do it. Not ‘should we maybe do this’ or ‘should we maybe do that’. That happens when you work with a lot of friends. He started with the team as an 18-year-old. But maybe he needs someone to tell him that he shouldn't keep searching.”

Whether Evenepoel will be the sole team leader remains to be seen. Florian Lipowitz finished third in the last Tour de France. “That doesn't have to be a disadvantage,” says De Cauwer. “Both Lipowitz and Remco are not as good as Pogacar. So you'll have to spread your resources to beat Pogacar in the coming years. At Visma | Lease a Bike, for example, they missed out on a good rider in Jorgenson.”

Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe is a real step up, according to the former team manager. That also brings pressure. "From now on, it's no longer about trying. That doesn't mean he's going to win the Tour, but there's no one better in the world. Red Bull has entered cycling, and that's because they want to get the best out of it. In that respect, he has made a good choice.“

Gilbert was asked about Evenepoel's transfer during his commentary duties for RTL Sports. The Walloon sees it as a good move, because the story at Soudal Quick-Step had simply come to an end. "I think it's a relief for Remco, because we could sense his discomfort in this group,’ said the 43-year-old Belgian. ‘Now he will have to find his place within a complete and competitive team in stage races."

With guys like Jai Hindley, Aleksandr Vlasov, Daniel Felipe Martinez, and of course Primoz Roglic—if he stays—by his side, Evenepoel will have a great climbing team around him. But Gilbert sees other advantages. “The quality of the team management and the fact that everyone uses the same brand of bikes (Specialized, ed.) are positive points. I am confident that Remco will take up the challenge and bring us new victories.”