Remco Evenepoel (Soudal QuickStep) has already commenced altitude training as part of his final tune-up for La Vuelta, with the new TT world champion taking just a half day to spend with his family before leaving with his team for another six weeks on road, racing and training.
With some of the riders at the Worlds having spoken about the relentless schedule of racing, especially the top female riders, and the toll on their mental health, there is clearly no rest for Evenepoel as he seeks to win the Vuelta again, though against stronger rivals than last year's weakened challenge.
After winning the world title last Friday in Scotland, Evenepoel returned to Belgium late on Saturday evening and by Monday morning he was in Andorra for his pre-Vuelta training camp. He is preparing to try and see off the challenge of Jumbo Visma's Jonas Vingegaard and Primož Roglič and is clearly fully committed to the task.
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“I have a busy program with a lot of specific work waiting for me: lots of climbing training, heat session,” Evenepoel said. “It may not be such a pleasant day. But with a concrete goal like the Vuelta in mind, that is already a bit easier to digest.
“That's the life of a professional. If you want to achieve your goal, you have to do something for it. I still need two weeks to prepare for the Vuelta, but at least it's going in the right direction.
“I think I deserve half a day with my family. After that, I’ll be gone again for a month and a half. Some percentages to my form need to be added for the Vuelta. I’d prepared myself for the time trial but there is more climbing and a different route at the Vuelta, so I face two weeks of hard work.”
After La Vuelta he will also ride Il Lombardia and will bring the rainbow bands for an appearance at the Chrono des Nations TT, where he will end his season.
