In 2019, Remco Evenepoel became the European Time Trial Champion, an amazing feat for the 19-year-old Belgian, who moved from the junior ranks to the WorldTour team Dečuninck-Quick Step, completely skipping the under-23 category, in his professional It was an amazing feat in his first season as a professional.

Even more amazingly, this victory was followed by a stage win and overall victory at the Baloise Belgian Tour, a stage win at the Adriatica Ionica race, and a solo win at the Classica San Sebastian One-Day World Tour in Spain. The team also won a stage at the Adriatica Ionica race.

With this European title, Ewenepoel will also represent Belgium in the individual time trial and road race at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo this summer.

Even though Evenpoel once played youth soccer for Anderlecht and PSV Eindhoven in Belgium, representing his country at both the under-15 and under-16 levels before ultimately choosing to focus on cycling, the 15-year-old Evenpoel has his sights set on the Olympics and (soccer) Would he have set his sights on the World Cup, he was asked?

"If you're a soccer player, your highest goal is to be in the World Cup," he said. So, four years ago, I would have answered that question without hesitation: the World Cup in soccer."

Now, Evenpoel happily admits that going to the Olympics takes precedence over everything else. When given the cycling-specific choice between winning gold at the Olympics and winning gold at the World Championships, the teenager again answered clearly.

"To be an Olympic champion, that's for sure.

"The Olympics transcends the traditional sporting atmosphere, it's part of something bigger, it's no longer in the cocoon of cycling.

"And if I could win there, the recognition would be different. Of course, if I become world champion, I will get a lot of respect and recognition, but I think the Olympic title will be different. So, to be honest, winning an Olympic gold medal would give me the most satisfaction."

"In the world of cycling, winning the World Championships is the highest attainable goal of the season. On the other hand, you only get to experience the Olympics once every four years. On the other hand, the Olympics come only once every four years, and it's a rare opportunity that you may only experience once in your career.

The tough, hilly course of the time trial and road race in Tokyo in July is why Evenpoel is "totally focused" on training this winter.

"Then adapting to the climate is also very important. We are already looking at several options in that regard." The training will be more specific and I will have to abstain from certain races. But all of this has been decided in consultation with the (Detunink-Quickstep) team. We have planned like a dream and my preparation will be perfect.

As for whether he will focus on time trials or road racing in Tokyo, Evenpoel said he will take things "one day at a time" in Japan.

"If I do well in the road race, great. If it works out in the road race, great, and if it doesn't, that's a bummer. But in either scenario, my focus switches to the time trial." I can't be focused on two things at the same time there. If you neglect even the smallest detail, it can make the difference between winning and losing. "

Evenpoel also cited two one-day classics as competitions where he hopes to shine this year or in the near future: the Liège-Bastogne-Liège and Il Lombardia.

Few would dispute the notion that, given his crushing victory in San Sebastian last season and his dedication to performing at the Olympics, that whatever goal Evenpoel sets for himself, he is ultimately capable of achieving it.