In a day marked by uncertainty and concern, this Thursday, Remco Evenepoel, one of the favorites for the next Tour de France, suffered a fall during the fifth stage of the Dauphiné Criteriuma competition known for being the prelude to the Tour de France, providing a platform for cyclists to strengthen their fitness and strategy before the big event.
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However, Evenepoel’s fall has raised alarms about his participation in the French Grand Tour.
During this stage, which was neutralized after the accident, several important cyclists, including Primoz Roglic, were involved in a collision that left many worried. Remco Evenepoel, world time trial champion, was no exception. In his statements after the incident, the young Belgian hinted at the seriousness of his situation and the uncertainty about his recovery.
“Overall I’m fine, some scratches on the right side and also a blow to the head. The helmet saved me today. There are runners in a worse situation, and I wish them all a good recovery. Now everything is for tomorrow and it is not advisable to focus too much on what happened,” said Evenepoel, trying to remain calm and focus on the immediate future. However, he could not hide his concern about the state of his right shoulder, which had been underwent surgery a few weeks ago after another fall in Itzulia.
“My shoulder is bleeding and we will have to see what the doctors say when they see the plate. We will see tomorrow, but there is no choice but to continue,” he added, underlining the severity of his injury and the potential impact on his preparation for the Tour.
The fall occurred at a crucial moment in the stage, when all the cyclists were fighting for position at the last difficult point of the route. “At the time of the montanera everyone was fighting for position, since it was the last complicated point of the route. Some slid in front of me, I could almost avoid it, but a bike went under me and then I went over it when it caught on my wheel. I hope everyone recovers well,” she concluded.
Miss the Tour de France?
The 2024 Tour de France, which will begin on June 29 with a stage between Florence and Rimini, on the banks of the Adriatic in Emilia-Romagna, and will conclude on July 21, is shaping up to be one of the most competitive in recent years. The possible absence of Evenepoel It would be a significant blow not only for his team but for all the fans who were hoping to see one of the most promising riders in the peloton fight for the podium.
The analysis of this situation cannot ignore the fact that falls are part of cycling, a high-risk and great spectacle sport. However, the succession of accidents and major injuries in a short period of time for Evenepoel raises questions about his strategy and his physical preparation. His shoulder recovery is now a race against the clock, and his medical team will have to make crucial decisions in the coming days.
The team of Evenepoel, Soudal-Quick Step, is working intensely to ensure that the cyclist receives the best possible treatment and can be ready for the start of the Tour. However, the final decision will depend on the medical reports and how the injury evolves in the coming weeks.
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Meanwhile, the cycling community is closely following the development of events, aware that the presence of Evenepoel in the Tour de France Not only would it add excitement and competitiveness, but it would also represent the perseverance and resilience that characterizes this sport.
