Remco Evenepoel was forced out of the Tour de France but that time out helped him finalise his move to Red Bull. Photo courtesy of SWpix.
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It’s September 2024, and Remco Evenepoel is heading to Switzerland to compete in the UCI Road World Championships in a bid to defend his title in the men’s elite time trial. Although he’s the main favourite for a second rainbow jersey in the discipline, and the preparation has gone well, behind the scenes, it’s anything but calm, with the Belgian going through a turbulent few weeks.
Evenepoel had already publicly committed his future to Soudal Quick-Step, having dispelled weeks of speculation and rumours about a possible move to Red Bull. However, the situation was less clear-cut than that, with his entourage creating a situation where the rider felt uncomfortable with the mounting pressure that was trying to propel a move away from Soudal towards Red Bull.
Read more: 🚨What will Remco Evenepoel’s Tour de France team look like in 2026? 🔮
Talks had reached a relatively advanced stage between his representatives and the German team, but just before the Championships, Evenepoel had doubts and decided to take a step back and agreed to see out the remaining two years of his contract, which would take him until the end of 2026.
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On the face of it, that scenario looked like a positive step for all concerned, with Red Bull’s speculation put in the rear view mirror after months of uncertainty and Soudal even under the impression that talks over a deal that would potentially extend Evenepoel’s contract into 2028 were even a possibility. Crisis averted, and as autumn turned to winter, all talks of a move were put aside as plans were prepared for a second assault on the Tour de France.
However, the situation was turned on its head in December, following the rider’s training crash that left him with his spring in tatters and his season on the line. According to sources, it was around this time that Soudal Quick-Step were again approached for an early termination of the rider’s contract.