Things can change quickly in the cycling world. One week you win two gold medals at the Olympics, and the next, you’re featured in The New York Times. This is what happened to Remco Evenepoel after his incredible performances in Paris. In an interview with The Athletic, the sports section of the American newspaper, the Belgian cyclist made some remarkable revelations. Not only about his potential ambitions after his cycling career but also about a rare mistake made during the Olympics…
Winning both the time trial and the road race at the Olympics: in Paris, Evenepoel displayed one of the most unique achievements in modern cycling. It’s no wonder that the Belgian star got attention from all corners of the world. Even across the Atlantic Ocean, people noticed his impressive feat. An invitation for an interview with The New York Times followed, something that not many active cyclists have been asked for.
Will we ever see Evenepoel as a triathlete?
In that interview, Evenepoel reflects on the time trial in Paris, particularly the medal ceremony after the race. A rare mistake occurred that wasn’t his fault. “Wout (Van Aert, ed.) was also on the podium, and there was a specific outfit we were supposed to wear. But Wout had brought the wrong one, so I had to take off my jacket to find another,” the cheerful Belgian explains. And indeed, in the photo, Evenepoel and Van Aert are wearing the same jacket, while other Belgian medalists on the podium wore slightly different jackets.
Evenepoel also discusses his plans for when he has “checked off all the boxes that he has in mind in terms of cycling.” A possible duathlon for Evenepoel was already considered when it seemed that the water in the Seine might not be clean enough for the Olympic triathlon to take place. “That would have been special,” he laughs. “I don’t know if that’s allowed when you’re a professional cyclist. But one day, I will do Ironmans and triathlons. I think age matters less in an Ironman because it’s less explosive. And it will keep me from gaining weight. A third medal would have been very special, but it wouldn’t have done me any good for the road race,” Evenepoel concludes.
