Remco Evenepoel shows that he opposes the inclusion of gravel roads on the 2024 Tour de France route. Belgium's concerns reflect what was expressed by his Soudal-QuickStep manager Patrick Lefevere after the course was announced in Paris on Wednesday.

Stage 9 of next year's tour will have more than 32.2 km of gravel roads, dispersed across 14 sections. The 199km stage around Trois is set to provide one of the most important afternoons of the entire race - 1.

Even his past experience of racing on gravel on the grand Tour was unfortunate as he lost more than 2021 on the road to Montalcino at the Giro d'Italia. He also acknowledged the overall lead of Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana in 2022 in the gravel section of Alto Antenas del Maigmótibi.

Speaking with Het Laatste Nieuws, Evenepoel suggested that the gravel roads in the Champagne region do not belong to the Tour de France.

"Separate events and championships for gravel are already organized," Evenepoel said. "Such a gravel section should absolutely be included in grand tours and other regular races."

Even Paul's team manager, Patrick Lefevia, and Jumbo Visma boss, Richard Plug, are also opposed to the inclusion of the gravel sector in the grand tour, saying the stage is "unnecessary."

"I think it's a bit unnecessary to include gravel," he said earlier this week. "It increases the likelihood of bad luck. We want the fight to be as fair as possible. In my opinion, a ride like this doesn't contribute to that."

Despite his past struggles with gravel, Evenepoel also runs the surface by choice, alongside the Belgian Waffle Ride in Kansas in the fall of 2021. He also noted that he occasionally incorporated gravel roads into his training rides in Belgium.

"When I train at Pajottenland, sometimes I cross to Leuven, not far away, and sometimes I challenge the gravel sector like that," Evenepoel says."If I'm lucky, the slightly looser surface gets harder and I feel like I'm riding on the asphalt.

Evenepoel is expected to make his Tour de France debut in 2024 on a route featuring a 59km time trial, but the idea of returning to the Giro d'Italia he abandoned when he was wearing maglia rosa on May 5 has also surfaced.

However, Lefevere strongly advised Evenepoel against trying the Giro Tour double, especially given his aspirations at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

"He was still open an account with the Giro and was considering combining the tour with the Giro," Rufevere told Sporza. "But in the Olympics, for example, in what comes next, the combination of the Giro tour doesn't seem to be the best idea for me."