'I deliberately got rid of my social media for two weeks' – Remco Evenepoel addresses drama of surprise Tour of Flanders debut and says he wouldn't be starting if victory wasn't possible

Remco Evenepoel has publicly addressed the swirling anticipation around his Tour of Flanders debut this Sunday, revealing he deliberately eschewed social media for two weeks to manage external pressures. While positioning himself behind established favourites Tadej Pogačar, Mathieu van der Poel, and Wout van Aert, the Soudal Quick-Step leader nonetheless exuded confidence, stating he wouldn't be on the start line if he didn't believe victory was a tangible possibility. This marks a significant moment for the Belgian, stepping into the cobbled Classics fray for the first time.

Evenepoel’s foray into the Ronde van Vlaanderen is a calculated gamble, reflecting Soudal Quick-Step's perennial quest for a Classics triumph beyond their traditional hunting grounds. His Grand Tour pedigree is undeniable, yet the unique demands of the Flandrian cobbles and bergs present an entirely different challenge. This move signals a broader ambition for Evenepoel's career trajectory, testing his versatility against the sport's most formidable one-day specialists and potentially reshaping his image from pure climber to all-rounder.

Evenepoel's self-imposed media blackout and measured confidence are precisely what one expects from a rider of his calibre. He knows the stakes, understands the narrative, and is playing the game perfectly.