Evenepoel: unfinished business with Il Lombardia

# Remco Evenepoel: Seeking Redemption at Il Lombardia

Despite securing an impressive 2nd place in last year’s Il Lombardia, many cycling fans still vividly recall Remco Evenepoel’s harrowing 2020 experience. That year, the young Belgian suffered a devastating crash, tumbling off a ravine, resulting in a fractured pelvis and a bruised lung. This incident has left a lasting mark on his career, overshadowing his recent successes and fueling his desire to conquer the prestigious “Classic of the Falling Leaves.”

Now 25 years old, Evenepoel is determined to rewrite the narrative that surrounds him at Il Lombardia, which takes place on Saturday, 11 October. The memory of his harrowing fall five years ago continues to linger, especially since he was a favorite at just 20 years old, boasting 14 professional wins. Following his near-fatal crash while descending the Colma di Sormano, he endured nine months of recovery, during which Tadej Pogačar emerged as a dominant force in cycling.

Throughout these challenging years, Evenepoel has continued to excel, becoming a celebrated time trialist with titles including triple world champion and Olympic gold medalist in Paris 2024. He has also won the Vuelta a España, as well as both world and Olympic road titles, and two Liège–Bastogne–Liège races. However, in direct encounters with Pogačar—the cyclist who has often bested him in major competitions—Evenepoel has found it difficult to come out on top. A recent example of this was the World Championships in Kigali, Rwanda, where Pogačar’s solo performance relegated Evenepoel to 2nd place.

Following that race, Evenepoel expressed his frustration, citing a saddle issue that hindered his ability to chase down Pogačar, stating, “Without the saddle problems, I think I could have stayed with Tadej, and maybe the outcome of the race would have been different.”

As the highly anticipated Il Lombardia approaches, the cycling community eagerly awaits a potential showdown between Evenepoel and Pogačar. For Remco, this race is not merely another event; it symbolizes his chance for revenge and the possibility of finally reconciling with the lingering ghosts of his past. With a formidable transition to the Red Bull–Bora-hansgrohe team on the horizon, Evenepoel’s determination may very well propel him toward his long-awaited redemption.