'20 is too early to ride the Tour' says Deceuninck-QuickStep boss
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Remco Evenepoel and Toms Skujins on the attack in San Sebastian(Image credit: Getty Images)
Remco Evenepoel approaches the finish of Clasica San Sebastian(Image credit: Getty Images)
New elite men's European time trial champion Remco Evenepoel points to the sky in remembrance of Belgian compatriots Bjorg Lambrecht and Stef Loos(Image credit: Bettini Photo)
Remco Evenepoel and Deceuninck-QuickStep communications manager Alessandro Tegner celebrate the riders win at 2019 Baloise Belgium Tour(Image credit: Getty Images)
Belgium's Remco Evenepoel en route to winning the elite men's time trial at the 2019 UEC Road European Championships(Image credit: Bettini Photo)
Deceuninck-QuickStep team boss Patrick Lefevere has suggested that teen phenom Remco Evenepoel could race at the Tokyo Olympics next summer, continuing his mercurial rise to the top of the sport.
The 19-year-old neo-pro his fourth and fifth races of the season earlier this month, taking a solo victory at Clásica San Sebastián and following it up last Thursday with a 19-second win at the European Championships time trial.
His progress has been so rapid that many have wondered if there's a race he won't be able to win, but Lefevere has ruled the biggest of all out – for next season, at least.
"Remco will still only be 20 next year. That's too early to ride the Tour," said Lefevere in an interview with Het Laatste Nieuws. "If he wants to do the Olympics, I'll let him.
"He is still young, in full development. He must be given the opportunity to develop himself so we're not going to put anything in his way. [Next summer] he will therefore have his hands free to prepare for the Games."
The 19-year-old recently secured an informal contract extension with Deceuninck-QuickStep, as Lefevere reached a handshake agreement with Evenepoel's father. As a result, another year has been added, with the option to extend further to 2023. It was an easy decision to make, according to the veteran team manager.
"If you win, you have a lot of friends," said Lefevere. "So there would be a lot of teams trying to get hold of him. I didn't have to do that, but you to know what you're starting with such a young rider, and we will continue to steer his career in the right direction in the coming years.
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"It took 200 metres [to extend the contract]. I was walking with his father to a terrace and at that time it was over. It's obvious that the contract will be in line with his performances," he added, hinting at a pay raise.
Evenepoel, who is currently training in Livigno in northern Italy, will take much of August off racing before a slated return to the peloton at the Deutschland Tour on August 29 and then heading to the GP Québec and Montréal in mid-September.
Dani Ostanek is Senior News Writer at Cyclingnews, joining in 2017 as a freelance contributor and later being hired full-time. Before joining the team, they had written for numerous major publications in the cycling world, including CyclingWeekly and Rouleur.
Dani has reported from the world's top races, including the Tour de France, Road World Championships, and the spring Classics. They have interviewed many of the sport's biggest stars, including Mathieu van der Poel, Demi Vollering, and Remco Evenepoel. Their favourite races are the Giro d'Italia, Strade Bianche and Paris-Roubaix.
