3. Remco Evenepoel
Sports: Cycling
Country: Belgium
Number of stitches: 114
Best ranking: 1st
Ranking 2021: Not ranked
Top 10
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Why him ?
If 2020 and 2021 were marked by the seal of storm Pogacar, it was hurricane Evenepoel that took everything away, at least what was in its path, in 2022. From the top of his 15 successes, the young Belgian, because he will only be 23 in less than a month (January 25), only beaten by his Slovenian alter-ego (16). The doublet is ahead of a gaggle of sprinters, from Jakobsen to Philipsen, proof of its incredible regularity throughout the season.
Both combine quality with quantity. Since it is Remco Evenepoel who interests us here, we will put the Slovenian aside. The Belgian ticked all the boxes for him. Or rather all of its boxes. No, he did not win the Tour de France, no more than the Tour of Italy, these objectives will come in due time, from 2023 for the Giro, in his agenda.
But in 2022, Evenepoel was eyeing Liège-Bastogne-Liège and the Tour of Spain. Two races of which he obviously triumphed. First, The Dean of the Classics, marked by the terrible fall of Julian Alaphilippe. Could the Frenchman have accompanied his teammate, and friend, in his demolition business at the top of La Redoute? Nothing is less sure. Evenepoel has tamed Liège-Bastogne-Liège the old-fashioned way by making its mythical coast the breeding ground for its success in a bewildering solo number.
Brilliance and great emotion for its premiere: The arrival of Evenepoel on video
And what about his Tour of Spain? The kid was unimpressed with the list of rivals and took the race in hand whenever he could. Day after day, we guessed obstacles that some imagined insurmountable for his age, his qualities. He swallowed them sometimes with class, sometimes with serenity. This is the Evenepoel brand. Less breathtaking than Pogacar, though, but terribly relentless.
When the Evenepoel steamroller makes Roglic give in
And what about the final bouquet? Fourteen days after winning his first grand tour, the Belgian tricked the French team and the others to win the world championship in Australia. Fantastic double for a fantastic kid who is obviously still hungry. It will be the Tour of Italy in 2023 and, no doubt, the Tour de France the following year.
His year in five dates
12 mars : The cold shower. Tirreno-Adriatico 2022 pits Remco Evenepoel against Tadej Pogacar. Before the 6th stage, the queen of the week, the two are only separated by nine seconds. But in Carpegna, Evenepoel took on water and conceded four minutes to his rival. He still has a job.
24 avril : This is perhaps the image that will remain of his season. A “nuclear” attack on the summit of the Côte de la Redoute and this rear wheel which rises. About thirty terminals further, he won Liège-Bastogne-Liège, the first Monument of his career. Alone and in style, of course.
A rare power: The decisive attack of the winner Evenepoel
July 30: The Clasica San Sebastian will soon become “his” race. Already a winner in the Basque Country for his first World Tour race in 2019, Evenepoel bisse in 2022. Next year, he could already become co-record holder of victories with Marino Lejarreta.
Evenepoel in demonstration: relive his arrival alone
September 11th : On this day, Madrid salute Alejandro Valverde, soon to be retired. Meanwhile, Belgium pledged allegiance to Remco Evenepoel, the first Belgian winner on a Grand Tour since Johan De Muynck (Giro 1978). 44 years of waiting is a long time for the country of Eddy Merckx.
Evenepoel, the greatest talent since Hinault and Merckx?
September 25: A model of its kind. There had been, in 2020 and 2021, the two adventures of Julian Alaphilippe. That of 2022 for Remco Evenepoel is no match for it. Perfect tactically, the kid placed two banderillas. One to provoke a first decision 70 km from the finish, the other to isolate themselves 26 km from the goal. Grail even for him. He did not need this iridescent jersey but Evenepoel will be all the more scrutinized in 2023.
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