Updated November 29, 2025 04:43PM
Remco Evenepoel hasn’t taken a road race victory ahead of Tadej Pogačar since the spring of 2023, but the Belgian is insisting on the possibility of something big heading towards the upcoming season.
“I believe I should be able to beat Pogačar in Liège, provided that I am really in top form,” he said in an interview with the Nieuwsblad Café Koers’ podcast.
The assertion is somewhat remarkable, given that each of his recent victories over the Slovenian have come in time trials.
The last time he prevailed in a road race was in Liège-Bastogne-Liège in 2023, when Evenepoel won and Pogačar crashed out.
And you have to go back over three years to find a victory by Evenepoel when his rival finished the same event.
That was the 2022 road world championships, when the Belgian powered to a dramatic solo win and Pogačar trailed in as part of the chasing group, 2:21 down.
Since then things have completely swung the other way, as shown by the latter’s road wins in races such as the Tour de France, as well as his triumphs ahead of runner-up Evenepoel in this year’s world and European championships.
Still, Evenepoel keeps the faith. He showed well against Pogačar in this year’s Amstel Gold Race, successfully chasing him down after the UAE rider’s solo move. And while Evenepoel ultimately finished third in a sprint won by Matthias Skjelmose, he suggests that same race is probably the spring classic which most corresponds to his talents.
Such talk bodes well for the season ahead. It also shows that Evenepoel believes he is getting back to his best shape after a season blighted by injury and hampered by what he now thinks was a bout of depression.
‘I was in a very deep mental state’
Remco Evenepoel wasn’t at his best at this year’s Tour due to the injury he suffered last winter (Photo: Chris Auld)
Third overall in the 2024 Tour de France, Evenepoel was motivated to have an even bigger season in 2025. However that intention suffered a serious blow last December when he was doored by a postal worker while training in Belgium.
He was left with extensive injuries, including fractures to two ribs, his hand and his shoulder, as well as a dislocated collarbone and bruised lung.
His initial assessment of the situation was very troubling.
“At first, I was afraid my career could be over due to the physical impact on the muscles and tendons in my right shoulder,” he says now.
“That turned out to be unfounded, but mentally that fall also had an impact. At that time, I was in a very deep mental state.
“Having to go through that rehabilitation during winter with its dark days and few hours of sunlight didn’t make me happy. Was I depressed? That’s a statement that’s hard to make about yourself, but maybe unconsciously I was.
Evenepoel said that he spent entire days on the couch. What’s more, he became irked when people called or messaged him, believing they were interfering.
“In response, I began to isolate myself. Answering a message also felt like too much to ask.”
Fortunately he said that the feeling “quickly went away” when he was able to once again go outside and start moving around.
Some lingering physical effects
Remco Evenepoel dominated the first time trial at this year’s Tour (Photo: Chris Auld)
Evenepoel is now heading towards what is the most important year of his career. Speculation was rife in recent seasons that he was looking for a way out of his Soudal Quick-Step team; he’s now ended that contract, and will race for Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe henceforth.
That team has a far bigger budget than his previous setup, and will see him race alongside riders such as multiple Grand Tour winner Primož Roglič and 2025 Tour de France podium finisher Florian Lipowitz.
He will presumably have their support in key races next year, and also that of the rest of the team.
Throw in the guidance of team staff plus the Red Bull Performance Center and the scene is set for a jump in his results.
Last winter was a mess due to his crash. Notwithstanding that, he won the time trial at the European and world championships, and took those silver medals in the road races.
Presuming he doesn’t have any more misfortune, he will carry a much more solid foundation into 2026 and could go on to even bigger things.
That’s encouraging, that’s motivating, but he did reveal to the Café Koers’ podcast that he is still carrying some effects of his crash.
“I still find it difficult to lift heavy things with my right hand. Lifting a suitcase or taking it off the baggage belt at the airport always has to be done with my left hand now,” he said.
“Even taking energy bars or gels out of the back pocket of my race jersey, I can now only do with my left hand. Fortunately, I am naturally left-handed.”