Sean Kelly believes that Remco Evenepoel could win the Tour de France in the future, although according to the Irishman this depends on several factors. “I think Remco could win the Tour under the right circumstances,” says the cycling legend in an interview with Velo.
Kelly points out that Evenepoel (25) is younger than his biggest rivals, Jonas Vingegaard (28) and Tadej Pogacar (27). This age difference could become significant later on, thinks the 69-year-old former pro. “To start with: how much longer will Pogačar continue?” he wonders, then suggests that the Slovenian might pursue other goals in the future. “He could go for two more years and then say: ‘Well, I’ve won enough Tours de France. I want to do something else.’”
Kelly also sees possible signs of a slight decline in Vingegaard. “If Remco improves a bit more, he will definitely come closer to Vingegaard. And of course, Vingegaard is getting older too.”
Nonetheless, Kelly currently sees Pogačar as the man to beat. “In the first mountain stages of the last Tour de France, we saw how he just rode away,” said the Irishman, emphasizing how big the gap with the competition was last summer. “If he maintains that level next year, I don't see anyone threatening him.”
Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe
Kelly does expect Evenepoel to make significant progress with his move to Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe. The team, according to the Irishman, is heavily investing in support. He believes it’s crucial that everyone within the team fully backs the Belgian. “They really have to show Remco that they stand behind him,” says Kelly, who already sees this happening. “They’re changing staff and doing everything for Evenepoel. Their expectation is that he can win the Tour in the coming years.”
