Evenepoel reignites hopes with training ride on Tour of Flanders-parcours, but Gilbert dismisses rumours with a laugh

Before the announcement of his racing programme, several media outlets suggested that Remco Evenepoel would make his debut at the Tour of Flanders. Those rumours were put to rest during the team presentation of Red Bull–BORA–hansgrohe, but a recent training ride by the Belgian has set tongues wagging once again. But is that really justified? According to Philippe Gilbert, there is little reason for the excitement.

Will he ride it or won’t he? That was the question on 12 December in Spain. During the media day of his new team, Evenepoel confirmed that Vlaanderens Mooiste would not be on his programme. “Because I’ve had a very busy year and want to have a ‘normal season’. The Tour will have to wait a little longer,” he said at the time. Clear words from the Belgian.

Few people doubt that he could do it. Evenepoel has already shown his qualities on the cobbles on several occasions. He became Olympic champion after the Montmartre climb in Paris, and at the Brabantse Pijl he was the strongest rider of the day on the Hertstraat and Moskesstraat, before going on to take victory. It may therefore not be entirely surprising that a recent training ride caused such a stir.

Evenepoel was spotted on Flemish roads this Sunday. Dressed in an all-black kit, he completed a loop that included the Oude Kwaremont and the Paterberg. According to Het Nieuwsblad, he tackled those climbs at least twice, with a following car in tow. Belgium was buzzing, of course. Could the country’s biggest star still be lining up for its biggest race? Fans would love to see it, but according to a former winner, hopes should be tempered.

Gilbert, who won the Tour of Flanders in 2017, laughed off the speculation. “Remco Evenepoel, who lives a few kilometres from the Tour of Flanders route, was seen on the course! An extremely rare occurrence,” the Walloon wrote sarcastically on X. “Mads Pedersen and Jonathan Milan have also already been spotted on the Poggio, I’m sure Lidl-Trek will line them both up for Sanremo.”