While Pogačar toiled on the cobblestones, Evenepoel rode a 'mini Amstel Gold Race' in Spain

Remco Evenepoel surprised the whole cycling world by starting the Tour of Flanders. That immediately led many to believe the Belgian might also line up at Paris-Roubaix, but the young Belgian had other things on his mind. The new team leader at Red Bull–BORA–hansgrohe headed back to Spain to prepare for the Ardennes, where he could face Tour of Flanders rival Tadej Pogačar once again.

It was not only the big surprise of the spring, but one of the rides of the spring too. The Belgian finished third on his Flanders debut after an impressive ride. He only announced his participation a few days before the start — on 1 April, of all dates. The team later confirmed the decision had been made much earlier, but the recon had to remain strictly secret.

The secrecy and the team's covert approach fuelled a feeling in Belgium that Evenepoel might also show up at Paris-Roubaix. He was quick to shut that down. He would return to Spain to prepare for the Ardennes Classics — and Liège-Bastogne-Liège against Pogačar in particular.

Racing against Pogačar is something Evenepoel relishes. "If anything, it's a motivation," he told Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport. "I focus on myself, on becoming the best version of who I can be. The goal is to perform better than in previous seasons."

For the Red Bull–BORA–hansgrohe leader, optimal preparation for the Walloon Classics was the priority. That meant resisting the lure of the Hell of the North. Besides, the Walloon spring starts for Evenepoel this Sunday at the Amstel Gold Race.

He will start as the clear favourite in the absence of riders like Pogačar, as well as Paul Seixas, Isaac del Toro and Juan Ayuso. While most cycling fans were glued to their screens watching Wout van Aert win Paris-Roubaix, Evenepoel decided to ride a 'mini Amstel Gold Race' from his Spanish base in Calpe.

His Strava data shows that on the day of Paris-Roubaix, he completed a 230 kilometres ride with 2,900 metres of elevation gain. For comparison: the Amstel Gold Race covers 257 kilometres with around 3,400 metres of climbing. The numbers are strikingly similar. That said, the climbs Evenepoel tackled in Spain were somewhat longer than the Cauberg.

One thing is clear: Evenepoel is sharpening himself for another major assault on the Ardennes Classics. He will skip the Brabantse Pijl, which he won last year, but at the Amstel Gold Race he is likely out for revenge. Last year the Belgian was narrowly beaten by Mattias Skjelmose in a three-up sprint, with Evenepoel eventually finishing third. Skjelmose is back again this year.