Remco Evenepoel will make his race comeback this upcoming Tuesday. After his withdrawal from the Tour de France, the leader of Soudal Quick-Step returns to the Tour of Britain. This stage race will serve as preparation for the two-time Olympic champion ahead of a busy autumn featuring the World Championships, European Championships, and Il Lombardia.
Alongside Evenepoel, Ethan Hayter, Luke Lamperti, Casper Pedersen, Martin Svrcek, and Ilan Van Wilder will also represent The Wolfpack at the start of the Tour of Britain. The latter is being positioned by sports director Klaas Lodewyck as a (shadow) team leader.
"We'll see where Remco currently stands as he returns to competition, but for the general classification we also have Ilan, who can make an impression there. Ethan and Luke are two other motivated riders who can also contend for strong results," Lodewyck declared via the team’s website.
"Our main objective this week is a stage win. Depending on how the race unfolds, we'll consider if we can also fight for the overall classification. There's a very strong field at the start, but we are motivated to make our mark on the race."
First race since the transfer announcement
This will be Evenepoel's first race since the announcement of his upcoming transfer to Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe. The Aeroshell of Schepdaal will ride his last stage race in service of the Belgian squad in Great Britain.
Evenepoel withdrew early from the Tour de France this summer after a series of off days. In the week following his withdrawal, the time trial world champion revealed that he had been riding with a broken rib. He is now sufficiently recovered to return to racing. The Tour of Britain starts on Tuesday, September 2, and finishes on Sunday, September 7.
