A general classification shakeup is very likely on stage 19 of the 2024 Tour de France, with two HC climbs and a summit finish atop Isola 2000 awaiting the peloton. Remco Evenepoel begins the day ranked third, but his Belgian teammates are certain that they won’t jeopardize everything in order to advance.
“It’s never too late to dream big and find inspiration when you need it, but pushing yourself too hard isn’t a smart idea,” Soudal – Quick-Step sports director Klaas Lodewyck says ahead of time in an interview with Het Nieuwsblad. “It is not our responsibility to act. We won’t take risks in an attempt to advance, only to lose everything.”
Mikel Landa, who is currently ranked fifth overall, might be Soudal’s backup plan for Quick-Step on stage 19. But Lodewyck doesn’t believe that putting the Basque rider in an early breakaway would put Evenepoel in a favorable position for the finish. “Yes, we must follow suit if Visma or the UAE deploy athletes in the early breakout. But most definitely not Landa, as other teams will take offense,” he says. “All that entails is a decrease in energy. It would be ideal if he maintained his current position of sixth in the standings. We won’t allow him to drop positions needlessly, but we will use him if we need him.”
“The stage is pretty level, which makes it challenging to devise plans. In closing, Lodewyck offers a preview of what may be a pivotal day in the high mountains. “It will depend on the legs.” It will be evident whether Vingegaard performs poorly once more or deflates himself because he is putting everything on the line to win the Tour. It is untrue to say that you will reduce the two-minute difference if you win twelve seconds once.