"Soudal-QuickStep's team manager denies unrealistic comparison to Tadej Pogacar's team, stating the criticisms are unfounded."
Ilan Van Wilder, a Belgian cycling star, is gearing up for another challenging role as a support rider for Remco Evenepoel in the 2023 Tour de France. Van Wilder, who rides for the Soudal-QuickStep team, has proven his mettle in previous races, notably helping Evenepoel secure a victory in the 2022 Vuelta a España and supporting him during the 2023 Giro d'Italia.
In the Tour de France, Van Wilder's role is pivotal. He contributes to the team's overall strategy, setting the pace and offering crucial support in critical moments, especially during the mountainous stages. His experience and skills make him an indispensable asset to Evenepoel and the team's broader ambitions in Grand Tours.
The 2023 Tour de France has not been without its challenges for Soudal-QuickStep. The team faced a significant setback when Mikel Landa, Evenepoel's climbing lieutenant, crashed out of the Giro d'Italia. However, Van Wilder, along with other key riders like Valentin Paret-Peintre and Max Schachmann, has continued to play a crucial role in the team.
Van Wilder has expressed his commitment to supporting Evenepoel during the difficult days of the Tour de France. He is not focusing on his own general classification (GC) position or positioning for hectic finals. Instead, his priority is staying safe during the first week of the race.
The 2023 Tour de France promises to be a fierce competition, with Soudal-QuickStep and Evenepoel facing strong competition from Tadej Pogacar's and Jonas Vingegaard's teams. Other Grand Tour contenders, such as Simon Yates, João Almeida, Sepp Kuss, and Adam Yates, are also supported by their respective teams in the high mountains.
Evenepoel himself has been vocal about the criticism he has faced this year, reiterating his frustration in an interview with WielerRevue. He believes that comparisons with teams that use captains as domestiques, like UAE, are not realistic. Van Wilder echoes this sentiment, stating that teams like UAE have support squads of "all leaders who ride for at least €2 million," a luxury that Soudal-QuickStep does not have.
Despite the challenges, Van Wilder remains optimistic. He believes he is a stronger rider than he was last year, having achieved a strong eighth place at the Tour de Suisse, preparing him for his role in the Tour de France. As the race approaches, cycling fans eagerly await to see how Van Wilder and Evenepoel will navigate the challenges and strive for success in the 2023 Tour de France.
[1] It's worth noting that Ilan Van Wilder has previously accompanied Remco Evenepoel in the Giro d'Italia and the 2023 Tour de France. The team's support squad for the Tour de France also includes Valentin Paret-Peintre and Max Schachmann.
- With the upcoming challenges in the 2023 Tour de France, sports-analysis will be crucial to understand the dynamics of Soudal-QuickStep's support squad, consisting of Ilan Van Wilder, Valentin Paret-Peintre, and Max Schachmann, and their roles in helping Remco Evenepoel secure a win.
- During the challenging stages of the 2023 Tour de France, sports-analysis will showcase the importance of Ilan Van Wilder, who prioritizes supporting Evenepoel over his own general classification (GC) position or positioning for hectic finals, in keeping Soudal-QuickStep in the race against rivals like Pogacar's and Vingegaard's teams.
