Evenepoel joins La Vuelta a España 2023

Although it had already been rumored for several weeks that Remco Evenepoel could defend the red jersey he won last year, a few hours ago, taking advantage of the rest day in the Tour de France and thus have all the attention, the Soudal-QuickStep rider has announced his presence at the start of La Vuelta a España 2023 that will begin next August 26 in Barcelona.

The icing on the cake of a luxury participation in the next Vuelta a España 2023

For one reason or another, the next edition of La Vuelta a España was beginning to gain significant interest. All this in a complicated year for the Spanish round due to the dispute of the World Cycling Championships in Glasgow before the race, which undoubtedly subtracted a point of attraction for riders who used to take advantage of the pull of form obtained in this race in view of the World Championship.

However, one more year La Vuelta becomes that opportunity for those who have not been able to shine as they would have wished throughout the campaign and, little by little, the race has been consolidating a line-up of real luxury that will allow us to enjoy a good number of the best riders in the world.

The latest to announce his presence, just a few hours ago, is none other than Remco Evenepoel in a decision that was unexpected but logical after having to give up early, due to covid, what was his big goal for the year: the Giro d'Italia.

After the abandonment of the Giro, speculation about his participation in the Tour de France was soon unleashed, rumors that Remco himself was responsible for denying stating that he would only go to the Tour when he had full guarantees of winning. In principle, everything seemed to indicate that they would follow the plan established at the beginning of the season, with only one grand tour in their calendar and the final stretch of the season defending their World Champion title.

Change of plans, when just a few hours ago, through a brief statement, it was confirmed that he will defend the red jersey won in the last edition of La Vuelta: "I'm really excited to return to La Vuelta. Obviously, I only have great memories of my first participation last year where everything went incredibly well. I'm looking forward to being there again, to face the race and its many challenges and to enjoy the incredible fans and the energy they transmit every day".

Remco Evenepoel is currently cycling in the Dolomites, concentrated at altitude in the wonderful surroundings of the Val di Fassa before returning to competition in another of his favorite races: the Clasica de San Sebastian, where he will try to win for the third time. A test in competition before moving to Glasgow where he will try to wear the rainbow jersey one more year.

Top level rivals

It won't be easy for Remco Evenepoel to win La Vuelta 2023. Facing him will be Primoz Roglic as the most formidable adversary, who will surely want revenge after his silly crash and subsequent abandonment in last year's edition. After winning the Giro d'Italia, the Slovenian confirmed his presence in the race a few weeks ago.

It is also certain the presence, from the beginning was the great objective of his calendar, the young pearl of UAE Team Emirates, the Spaniard Juan Ayuso who already showed signs in Tour de Suisse of the class he possesses and will seek to make the final leap in quality that will place him among the greats.

It is also likely that La Vuelta will count on some of the victims of the Tour de France. We are talking about Richard Carapaz and Enric Mas, although it is still early to know the evolution of their respective injuries, being in principle, that of the Mallorcan less serious and with a better forecast than the fracture in the kneecap suffered by the Ecuadorian. In any case, the problem for them will not be to arrive recovered but in a reasonable shape to be able to be competitive.