During his time with the team, which he joined from the junior ranks in 2019, the 25-year-old claimed 67 victories.<\/p>\n
He won three time trial world titles, the road race world title in 2022, two Olympic gold medals, the 2022 Vuelta a Espana and two Tour de France stages, where he finished third in 2024.<\/p>\n
“It’s going to be my last race for the team,” he said. “So there’s extra motivation to do very well, to give myself one more time at the maximum, as always.<\/p>\n
“It’s not that I have a sad feeling now. I just need to focus on the race and try to give a last, a nice last present to the team. That would be a really good way to finish my period in Soudal Quick-Step.<\/p>\n
“It’s been a very beautiful period at the team, with many beautiful memories. Some bad moments as well, but I think the beautiful memories are way above the bad memories.<\/p>\n
“I cannot say how thankful I am for my chances and for all the years I’ve been in the team and for everything that we’ve been through.”<\/p>\n
Evenepoel’s farewell race will be at Il Lombardia, where he hopes to defeat world and European champion Tadej Pogacar.<\/p>\n
“Can I beat Tadej? Why not? Otherwise, I wouldn’t be here,” he said.<\/p>\n
“A victory would be amazing. As always, I’m going to do my best and hope for the best.<\/p>\n
“We all know the Lombardia parcours. We all know that Tadej won in Bergamo twice. It’s a very hard race, but there’s also quite a long, flat part in the final. There are a lot of things that can be played for.<\/p>\n
“It’s going to be important to not lose too much energy in the beginning of the race and make sure I can start the second last climb, the Passo di Ganda, in a good position. Then it’s going to be 20 minutes over the limit to follow.<\/p>\n
“After that, we will see how it goes, but I think it’s a final where you should never give up. There are still a lot of things possible in the last 20km.<\/p>\n
“It’s no secret that the UAE team is flying again in the last few races. They may even be aiming to finish with three on the podium, so it’s going to be difficult, but I think that’s why we are here to try to go for it.”<\/p>\n
Pogacar has been likened to the legendary Eddy Merckx, but Eveenpoel does not seem too bothered by the dominance of his rival.<\/p>\n
“I think the only difference is that Merckx also won his time trials\u2026” the Belgian joked, knowing he has a better record over Pogacar in that discipline.<\/p>\n
“That, of course, is not a criticism of Tadej, because what he does in the road races is always very special. It’s like he attacks whenever he wants, whenever he feels like, and then he just does his thing.<\/p>\n
“The way I see it is more of a goal, to work towards that level. I try to take motivation out of it. I never get demoralised when he wins the race and I’m second behind him.<\/p>\n
“I also see that my level is getting better, but still, he’s quite some levels above me. He’s the best rider of the last decade, and that’s something for me to aim for.”<\/p>\n