Remco Evenpoel described reports that he might be leaving Sourdal-Quick Step for Ineos Grenadier or another rival team as "a little bullshit that's been circulating" and insisted that he has the mental strength to focus on the races this summer, starting with Saturday's Clasica San Sebastian, followed by the Glasgow He insisted that he has the mental strength to focus on the races this summer, including Saturday's Clasica San Sebastian, the UCI Road World Championships in Glasgow, and the Vuelta a España in late August.

During the Tour de France, there were numerous reports that Israel Premier Tech and other teams had joined Ineos Grenadier in trying to convince Evenpoel and his entourage to break their contract with Sourdal-Quick Step.

It was also revealed that an American investor, believed to be affiliated with the Wasserman Sports Management Agency, inquired about acquiring Sourdal-Quickstep, but was turned down because of the team's lack of profitability.

Team manager Patrick Lefebvre denied reports that he might lose Evenpoel and sell his 20% stake in the team. He promised the riders and staff at the Tour de France that he would continue as CEO until 2027 to the team's major sponsors and said Mikel Landa could be a target to strengthen the team for 2024.

Evenpoel, who will challenge Jonas Vingegaard and Tadej Pogachar in the 2024 Tour de France, has so far said little about his current contract with Sûre-Quick Step or reports that he is unhappy with the strength of the team. On the eve of the Clasica San Sebastián, he claimed to a select group of media, including Cycling News, that he had little real information and insisted that he was satisfied with the Belgian team.

"It's actually interesting because from the outside looking in, you guys know more than I do myself," Evenpoel said.

"So there are things going on that are unknown to myself, to my entourage, and to my family. So there are things going on that I myself don't even know about.

"Mentally, I think I'm strong enough to focus on what I need to do before the summer comes. I mean, there's no reason to be unhappy here. There's a little, let's say, little bullshit going on. I didn't know a better word for it."

While at a high-altitude training camp in Italy in preparation for the World Championships and the Vuelta a España, Evenepoel watched the 2023 Tour de France on television.

He was impressed by the sight of Jonas Vingegaard and Tadej Pogachar vying for the yellow jersey and admitted that he had some work to do to compete with them in the 2024 Tour de France.

"It's a very difficult question. Next year we will know. We'll see next year," Evenpoel responded to the question of whether he was close to their level.

"But if you believe in the math of watts per kilometer and things like that, that's the number I'm already pushing for. But of course, it's a streak [in the Tour de France]. So I think they've achieved an incredible level this year.

"Now it's up to me. I have a year of work ahead of me to take big steps and get closer to those two crazy guys and super talented riders. I want to be on par with them next year."

Because the road world championships are held seven weeks earlier than usual, Evenpoel will race in the world champion's rainbow jersey for the last time at Clasica San Sebastian. However, Evenpoel has ambitions to fill his wardrobe with more prestigious jerseys.

"It's the middle of July and it's already my last race in Rainbow," he said.

"But I think I have a good race next week to take the jersey again. San Sebastian is a really important race for me. If we win, we can share our race record. That would be a great motivation and I would enjoy my last time in the jersey.

"Of course, I hope it won't be the last race of my life wearing the rainbow jersey. This year it is, but I had a very good season in the rainbow stripes. Some great wins, including the Belgian national title. I think I can look back on a very beautiful year wearing the rainbow jersey."

Evenpole won the rainbow jersey in Wollongong with a long solo attack. He was third in the time trial, but is confident that he has a good chance in both disciplines in Glasgow.

"The TT is long and not that technical, which helps, and the road race is pretty technical, but it's a super long race," said Evenpoel, who knows the race route in Glasgow.

"It's going to be a special race. I hope it doesn't rain, but of course it's a Glasgow race."

"The local lap (in Glasgow) has a lot of corners and a lot of ups and downs, but the race is almost seven hours long, so I think the legs will be tired and attackers and escapees will have the advantage.

"Both should suit me, but we'll see what happens. The Belgian team is very strong and they have a lot of different cards to play, with Jasper Philipsen, Wout Van Aert, myself, and others. We have a lot of strong riders who can win races."

Evenpoel caught COVID-19 while leading the Giro d'Italia and had to reset his season. He finished third overall in the Tour de Suisse and took the Belgian national title.

He will target both the road race and time trial at the Super World Championships in Glasgow before heading to Spain to defend his 2022 Vuelta a España victory.

"It was actually quite easy, just copying and pasting last year's training plan," Evenpoel replied when asked how he prepared for the summer of 2023.

"Of course, the World Championships are already next week, so I should be in a little bit better shape than last year, but I need to stay in pretty high shape for the Vuelta. My weight and everything is good, so I think I'll be fine for San Sebastian and the next few weeks." .