Lefevere also tried to get Evenepoel to ride the Tour of Flanders: “He didn't want to back then”

Evenepoel rode for Lefevere’s team for no fewer than seven seasons. During that time, he was largely the team’s undisputed leader and also achieved many successes. Remarkably, however, he never competed in the Flemish Spring Classics while with the former classics team.

In his first season with his new team Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe, the Belgian is now making his debut in the Tour of Flanders. “I told him all those years that he should ride the Tour, but he didn’t want to back then,” says the 71-year-old Belgian, pointing to the people around Evenepoel. “Now he might have people who have more influence on him.”

Lefevere is convinced that his former team leader can make a fantastic debut in the Tour of Flanders. “He will not be overpowered by Van der Poel, Pogacar, or Van Aert, but winning is, of course, not easy.” However, the Belgian does not expect his compatriot to face any issues regarding experience.

‘If you’re good, the fact that he doesn’t yet have experience in the Tour of Flanders doesn’t matter anyway.’ Moreover, there’s an ideal role for another Belgian on the German team. ‘With Gianni Vermeersch, he has a very experienced rider by his side. Someone who’s always there and races smart. Evenepoel can certainly use that,’ concludes Lefevere.

Finally, the Belgian isn’t jealous that he’s suddenly starting in Flanders. “Of course, I could say he would have done better on our team. But I’m not losing any sleep over it.” The former team manager is therefore especially happy about his compatriot’s participation. “I think it’s good news that he’s riding the Tour.”

Besides Lefevere, there is someone else who is surprised by Evenepoel’s participation: Evenepoel himself. Seven years ago, he said he didn’t like cobblestones at all. “I hate the cobblestones,” he told RTBF. “I don't have the explosiveness needed for the Tour of Flanders. It's not my dream; I have other dreams,” the 19-year-old Belgian said firmly at the time.

Back then, he had only ridden Paris-Roubaix for juniors, and that had not been a good experience. “I was in the lead group, but suddenly I got two flat tires: I'm never going back there,” said the younger Evenepoel. Since then, the Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe team leader hasn't conquered many cobblestones, but he has changed his mind nonetheless. The result is a start in Flanders' Finest.