Evenepoel doesn't think about Vuelta victory, acknowledges fatigue, looks forward to Vingegaard (and assessing Van der Poel)

A touch of humor entered the room when Evenepoel was asked about his aspirations for the upcoming Tour of Spain. "Avoid catching a cold," he quipped, alluding to his bout with COVID-19 during this year's Giro d'Italia. Adopting a more serious tone, he continued, "I aim to secure a stage victory and compete for a strong GC position. I'm eager to learn more about both myself and the team. Ultimately, my primary aim is to reach the podium in this Vuelta."

As the defending champion, Evenepoel sidestepped any discussion about securing a consecutive victory. His reluctance wasn't solely due to a formidable field of competitors, but also due to the various external factors that can influence the outcome of a grand tour. These factors led him to withdraw prematurely from both the 2021 and 2023 Giro d'Italia. "Predicting a grand tour win is challenging. So many variables are at play; I learned this during the Giro. Last year, I aimed for a top ten finish and emerged victorious. Now I'm targeting a top three finish, which seems reasonable. Off-days can occur easily, and unforeseen incidents like illness or crashes can happen."

Thorough preparation is certainly not lacking. We've witnessed Evenepoel embarking on scouting rides numerous times, both prior to and following the World Championships in Glasgow. This wasn't without purpose. "I went to the Angliru to scout and rode it at race pace. I have a better understanding of what lies ahead now. Last year, I didn't explore the routes in advance, which did come with some drawbacks. This time, I'm more familiar with the challenges. There will be a series of steep and extended climbs, so it's advantageous to be well-prepared."

Even adding the World Time Trial Championships to his schedule was no hindrance, as per Evenepoel. "The World Championship time trial was predominantly flat, so I tailored my preparation accordingly. It was a long time trial, lasting over an hour, and many climbs in the Vuelta will demand a similar power output and duration. The lengthy time trial at the World Cup worked well in terms of readiness, even though I had to shed some weight in the following two weeks. In the end, that process was fairly smooth."

In essence, Evenepoel is fully primed, despite the expected heat during this Vuelta. "Training in the heat is doable, albeit uncomfortable. Often, we combine it with altitude training, and we sleep in warmer conditions. Sauna sessions are also part of the regimen, all to ensure we're adequately prepared for such conditions," he explained.

Considering the prospect of donning the leader's jersey, a role Evenepoel occupied for several days in the Giro, he maintains a thoughtful perspective. However, he seems hesitant about immediately embracing it. "Yes, wearing the leader's jersey is a desirable scenario for later stages. In the initial nine days, we'd rather not target it. If we happen to claim it, we'll aim to relinquish it to less threatening contenders as swiftly as possible. The leader's jersey holds significant appeal, and naturally, you want to relish it. However, we're not keen on retaining the red jersey during the first week. The same philosophy applies to the white jersey for the best young rider. And if this plan doesn't unfold as intended, we'll adapt to the situation."

Starting on Saturday, we're diving straight into a 14-kilometer team time trial in Barcelona. Evenepoel jests, "I might just sit in the slipstream for those fourteen kilometers to conserve energy!" But he promptly shifts to a serious tone, adding, "It's an entirely different time trial compared to last year's (in Utrecht). It's very technical, and I won't be doing it alone. Mattia Cattaneo, Casper Pedersen, Pieter Serry, and I will be the engine of the team. We're seeking the optimal lineup, so the pace will be consistently high. Assembling the best combination might be a challenge, but we'll evaluate and test that on Friday."

Following the team time trial, the focus shifts to climbing, spanning over three weeks. Evenepoel notes, "My approach will be a bit more defensive, unlike last year. The first week won't be as crucial as it was before. The second and third weeks are where the real battles will unfold, and numerous teams will share the responsibility of setting the tempo," he explains. "I'm eager to see how I fare on longer ascents, and with Jonas (Vingegaard) and Primoz (Roglic) in the mix, I'm curious to gauge my performance against theirs."

The big names are on the table: Vingegaard, Roglic, and Evenepoel conveniently adds Juan Ayuso, João Almeida, Geraint Thomas, and Aleksandr Vlasov. "The level will be exceptionally high, and everyone is on top form. Primoz triumphed in Burgos, Jonas has consistently demonstrated his prowess, and I secured the World Cup title," he affirms. The Vuelta offers a chance to measure oneself against the very best, especially with the 2024 Tour de France in sight. "Jonas has proven his mettle in winning a Tour, so he's well-equipped for this Vuelta too. I'm aiming to gear up and pack all these experiences into my bag as I move towards 2024."

Competing against the elite is precisely what distinguishes the great champions. When asked about the stars who have left an impression in 2023, he cites names that aren't present in the Vuelta. "In terms of the number of victories, Pogacar has been striking this season. However, in terms of the quality of victories, Mathieu van der Poel stands out as number one for me. His results have been phenomenal. Primoz has secured victories whenever he started. They were all within the WorldTour, showcasing consistent success. But Pogacar is also winning across the board, and Vingegaard clinched both the Tour and the Dauphiné. Each one is impressive in their own way. And as for myself, well, I'll leave that for others to decide! But personally, Van der Poel gets my vote."