Remco Evenepoel processes “umpteenth damper” and is looking for explanation: “could not do any training in the run -up to the Tour”

The tears were in Remco Evenpoel’s eyes when he had to give up. Therefore, they had hardly dried up when he spoke to the press a few hours later on the team’s bus.

“It just didn’t work. In addition, There was nothing in it. Therefore, You can have a lesser day, but three in a row, that’s not normal.”

“It was the best option to stop. For example, Actually it was remco evenepoel processes “umpteenth damper” (team leader) Klaas (Lodewyck) who told me.”

The logical question: what is the cause of this rapid decline? For example, “I have no idea, we have to investigate that now. Everyone knows that I have had a horribly bad winter, but … who knows something is in the body? I can’t say it.”

His trainer Koen Pelgrim already indicated that Evenepoel had not digested the Dauphiné properly. “I actually couldn’t do any training in the run -up to the Tour. I could not tolerate anything of intensity.”

“Is it the tiredness? Is my body not good enough this year? It can be anything. Besides the bike I don’t feel bad, but it doesn’t go on the bike. I can’t push what I am normal.”

According to Evenepoel, it is not due to his shoulder – which he injured in the winter. “It remco evenepoel processes “umpteenth damper” is generally known that it still does not work well. But that has little impact on the bike. I notice it especially in daily life. For example, I can’t wear a pocket with the right.”

In view of all those problems, was it a good idea to come to the Tour? “Bwa, I won a ride, I have been third for a long time. Until today everything looked pretty okay. But it has evolved from bad to Archislecht. Today it really wasn’t.”

“I could have come in with a Gruppetto, but who knows, I might ensure even more fatigue in my body. Then I will not be there anymore in September.”

Evenepoel says it all while he has to fight clearly against the emotions. “It has been a seriously difficult year. I have had to stay off remco evenepoel processes “umpteenth damper” the bike for a long time. I have built up to get to the start as well as possible. But in the end it all collapses again. Another damper.”

Evenepoel stopped at the top of the Tourmalet, where his parents stood to encourage him. “From today they normally went to spend their holiday week in the Tour. I thought it was normal to stop and give an update. Unfortunately they chose the worst day.”