Evenepoel scouts European Championship course solo, while Hoole rides with Ten Dam, and TT crash victim Van Baarle

This is good news for the Dutch team, as there was still some uncertainty about Van Baarle's participation on Sunday. During the time trial at the European Championships, the Visma | Lease a Bike rider crashed hard in the final. Fortunately, he crossed the finish line, but with a new bike, helmet, and a visibly injured knee. His suit was also significantly destroyed. After the race, he had to have his knee checked.

But one day after the nasty accident, the 33-year-old all-rounder is already back on his bike, as can be seen on Strava. He was able to join Hoole, who finished sixth in the time trial, on his recon ride. Ten Dam, coach of the women's team, also accompanied the riders. Together they covered about 136 kilometers through the beautiful countryside around Valence.

During the recon, they tackled the climb to Saint-Romain-de-Lerps, a grueling 7 kilometers at 7.2%. This will be done three times on Sunday, but the last summit is more than 70 kilometers from the finish. After that, the Val d'Enfer will have to be climbed three more times (1.6 km at 9.7%). This monster was also climbed during the recon ride.

Evenepoel also chose Thursday for a recon ride. Fresh from his new European time trial title, the Belgian, like the Dutch, spent about 4 hours on the bike. Quite an effort, after a grueling time trial. “Not the usual recovery ride,” the two-time Olympic champion posted on Strava.

It was almost the same route as Hoole, Van Baarle, and Ten Dam, although Evenepoel included the climbs a little earlier in his recon ride. He completed the ride entirely on his own, according to Sporza: only national coach Serge Pauwels followed him in the support car. Evenepoel has taken the first steps toward a European road title.