Remco Evenepoel he will not defend his title as Belgian national champion in line. The champion of Soudal – QuickStep he is forced to give up the race scheduled for Sunday 23 June due to a cold that hit him in the last few hours and which will keep him in the pits for a few days. As announced by the Belgian team itself on its website, the staff’s choice not to have the Aalst native participate in the national championship was made to avoid further influencing the preparation in view of the Tour de France and gods Paris Olympic Gamesdeclared objectives of both the rider and his team for months.
“I’m sorry I can’t participate in the Belgian championships – comments the world time trial champion in the statement released by his team – Winning last year and wearing the famous Belgian tricolor jersey was a great honor for me and it would have been a privilege to try to defend a jersey that I love so much. Even though I’m not really sick, I wouldn’t have been able to run at 100% of my ability like a race of this importance requires. The team and I think it’s better than not taking risks so close to the Tour de France. I wish my teammates good luck in the race and I hope we can keep that beautiful jersey in the team!”
