Evenepoel wants to pass Merckx and actually has news at Sports Gala: 'Makes choices easier'

Remco Evenepoel has been voted Sportsman of the Year for the fifth time in Belgium. The rider, who this winter made the switch from Soudal Quick-Step to Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe, hopes to add a few more such titles in the coming years, he said at the award ceremony in his home country.

Evenepoel flew in from Mallorca, where Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe has a training camp, for the trophy. 'It is, in my eyes, one of the most beautiful awards you can get as a sportsman from your own country. For that I will gladly make an effort to be here,' he informed Sporza.

'It's fun at Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe. Both at the table and on the bike, the atmosphere is very good. Nice teammates and staff. I have a good feeling about it," Evenepoel repeated his words from Wednesday, when his new team held its media day.

So for Evenepoel, it was already the sixth time. The record holder is Eddy Merckx, with the title of Sportsman of the Year six times. 'I am not far from that, and I still have some years ahead of me. It is a nice goal to go for it and over it. It would be nice and an honor to stand in front of such a very big name. I want to try to be the best sportsman Belgium has known.'

In 2025, Evenepoel won the Brabantse Pijl, the World Time Trial Championships and the European Time Trial Championships, among others, after a long rehabilitation due to a fall in late 2024. However, his big goal, the Tour, fell through.

'It was a year with highs and lows,' he looked back on his season. 'A beautiful beginning, a difficult middle, and a strong end. I am very satisfied with how I was able to finish the season. That provides a lot of motivation and morale to get through the winter well.'

So he did manage to add a few more titles against the clock. 'That was the highlight and the big goal for this year. I'm going to skip a little more time trial championships next year and focus on other things. That will make it easier to make choices," he explained.

Evenepoel announced his program Wednesday, which includes at least Liège-Bastogne-Liège and the Tour de France as benchmarks. Later in the year, the World Championships in Montreal also appear to be a goal.

'I hope for a year with no problems, no injuries, and besides winning a lot from start to finish. Winning is in my character, my DNA. Above all, I hope to ride a super good Tour de France and win one or preferably both jerseys at the world championships,' Evenepoel said.