Remco Evenepoel draws inspiration from Pogacar and Van der Poel after injury

Olympic champion Remco Evenepoel returns from injury motivated by rivals’ spring classics dominance.

Soudal Quick-Step rider Remco Evenepoel of Belgium (L) and UAE Team Emirates rider Tadej Pogacar of Slovenia (R) wait at the starting line of the 118th edition of the Giro di Lombardia, a 252-kilometer race from Bergamo to Como, on October 12, 2024. Photo by Marco Bertorello/AFP

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

After a winter plagued by injury and emotional setbacks, Remco Evenepoel draws inspiration from two of his fiercest rivals—Tadej Pogacar and Mathieu van der Poel—as he prepares to return to racing in Belgium’s Ardennes classics this week. The double Olympic champion, still only 25, is set to line up at the Brabantse Pijl on Friday and Amstel Gold Race on Sunday, refreshed in spirit and motivated by what he saw while watching races from his couch.

Evenepoel suffered a serious shoulder injury in December when the door of a postal van swung open in his path. The collision left him with torn shoulder ligaments and, more importantly, in a mental fog that threatened to derail his career.

"This injury would have ended my career if I had been a tennis or basketball player," he said earlier this week. The physical damage was substantial, but it was the psychological toll that lingered longest. Alone in his recovery and unsure of his future, Evenepoel admitted to questioning whether his days as a professional cyclist were over. But as winter faded and the spring classics burst onto the calendar, something began to stir within him again.

Watching champions sparked his competitive fire

Stuck at home, watching from a distance, Remco Evenepoel drew inspiration from the brilliant performances of his contemporaries. He watched as Tadej Pogacar conquered the Tour of Flanders, followed a week later by Mathieu van der Poel’s demolition of the Paris-Roubaix cobblestones.

“It was amazing to see Van der Poel and Pogacar battling it out,” Evenepoel said. “It motivated me to push myself in training. I too want to compete at San Remo, the Ronde, and Roubaix one day.”

In the minds of fans and analysts, Pogacar and Van der Poel have become the giants of spring. For Evenepoel, witnessing their mastery didn’t just stir admiration—it lit a fire. “Pogacar is an inspiration. But I have to be able to beat him. That’s what my team pays me for,” he said.

That competitive instinct, dormant during the darkest moments of his recovery, had returned with force. With the cobbled classics in full swing, Evenepoel knew he wanted to be part of that elite conversation again.

A brutal setback, and the road back

Evenepoel’s crash in December wasn’t just a typical cycling incident—it was bizarre and avoidable. A van door swinging open mid-ride might sound mundane, but the consequences were severe. The injury demanded months of rehab and rest, depriving him of the early season momentum that had once defined his rise.

“The crash drained me,” he admitted. “I imagined retiring early. I couldn’t imagine coming back.”

But slowly, training sessions returned. He found himself grinding through the discomfort, spurred on by visions of cobbles and climbs, by images of Van der Poel surging through the Roubaix velodrome and Pogacar hammering over the Flemish bergs.

As spring approached, so did his form. By early April, his coach Koen Pelgrim confirmed that Evenepoel was not only physically ready to return, but hungry to win.

“That’s Remco for you,” Pelgrim said. “He can’t turn out thinking about coming 30th.”

The comeback begins at Brabantse Pijl

Evenepoel’s first test comes Friday at the Brabantse Pijl, a 162-kilometer race across 21 sharp hills in Belgium. It’s a terrain suited to punchy climbers and aggressive riders—precisely the kind of race Evenepoel thrives in.

He won’t have it easy. Alongside him are Britain’s Tom Pidcock, Belgium’s Wout van Aert, and Eritrea’s Biniam Girmay—a formidable trio of competitors. Still, Evenepoel’s form and fire make him one of the clear favorites, despite this being his first race back.

Sunday brings the Amstel Gold Race, a grueling 255.9-kilometer event across 34 hills in the Netherlands. Here, Tadej Pogacar will join the field, offering Evenepoel a direct chance to test himself against the rider who inspired his comeback.

It’s no coincidence that the Belgian is returning at the same time Pogacar and Van der Poel are at their spring peak. These are the races that matter most to him—not just because of their prestige, but because they represent the fight, the resilience, and the elite level he aspires to reach once more.

Eyes on the Tour de France

Though his spring return is significant, Evenepoel’s eyes remain fixed on the bigger prize—the Tour de France in July. After placing third in the 2024 edition and winning the best young rider award, he’s determined to go even better this summer.

In addition to his Olympic triumphs—winning both the time-trial and road race gold medals in Paris—Evenepoel has already built a legacy few cyclists ever achieve. But it’s clear he’s far from satisfied. The pain of injury has only intensified his hunger.

“This is not just about coming back,” he said. “It’s about proving I belong at the top.”

A new phase in his career

The story of Remco Evenepoel drawing inspiration from his rivals is not just about admiration—it’s about using their success as fuel. While some athletes shrink from competition, Evenepoel welcomes it. He thrives when tested, and this return to racing marks a new phase in his career—one shaped by maturity, resilience, and an unshakable will.

He is no longer just the young phenom who burst onto the scene with time-trial brilliance. He is a champion tested by adversity, a rider who has stared down retirement and chosen instead to rise.

As he prepares to race again, the cycling world watches closely. Will the same fire that powered his Olympic victories now guide him through the spring classics? Can he measure up against Pogacar and Van der Poel on the road—not just in admiration but in direct competition?

This weekend will offer the first clues. And if his words and training are any indication, Remco Evenepoel is ready to race—not just to return.