There has been a lot of discussion since the 2025 Tour de France’s route was announced. Talk within Soudal Quick-Step is included in this. Remco Evenepoel will be the Belgian team’s primary emphasis once more, but they want to diversify their wagers. Tim Merlier, the European champion, is also scheduled to compete on the flat stages.
Het Nieuwsblad met with team manager Patrick Lefevere after the route presentation. “I think it’s a good course for Remco,” he said. “There are two time trials: a climbing time trial and a flat, 33-kilometer time trial. He can demonstrate that he is the world’s best at racing against the clock in the flat time trial. Compared to this year, I think he will finish closer in the standings, and I’m referring to time rather than locations. Remco lost five minutes in one stage this year. That won’t happen next year, in my opinion. Evenepoel finished third on the previous Tour, more than nine minutes behind Tadej Pogacar, the winner.
In addition to the demanding mountain stages and time trials (which include a climbing time trial to Peyragudes), sprinters occasionally have the chance to compete. Soudal Quick-Step will probably wish to take advantage of those as well. Seven flat stages are included. You cannot disregard that. It will be difficult to strike a compromise between Merlier’s sixteen victories, which made him the most successful sprinter of 2024, and the world time-trial champion’s overall classification goals. “We absolutely need to think about introducing Merlier, but it will be a big puzzle for us. Remco says “yes” now, but things can change tomorrow.
Evenepoel: “Opportunity to grab the yellow jersey early”
Merlier won’t be completely alone on the team if he begins at Lille. “This year’s Bert Van Lerberghe can pull for Remco, but Tim is a speedster who can control his own race. We can bring eight riders,” Lefevere said in closing. The Tour de France starts with a flat stage in northern France. The first week of the race is full of difficult finishes, so sprinters will have to wait for their chances.
Following the presentation, Evenepoel gave his opinions on the route in Paris. “It’s a really unusual but stunning path! Belgium is not far from the Grand Départ,” the Belgian said L’Équipe. “I have a chance to win the yellow jersey because of the time trial so early in the Tour.”
