As the mist descended on the iconic Luchon-Superbagnères climb during stage 14 of the Tour de France, Soudal-QuickStep faced a grim reality—they had lost their star rider, Remco Evenepoel, altering the course of their race.

Evenepoel, the team's hope for General Classification glory after finishing on the 2024 podium, ducked out early in the stage. His struggles began at the renowned Col du Tourmalet, where he faced difficulties following two taxing days in the Pyrenees.

A Rocky Road Ahead

The team's aspirations were set high, targeting both the GC and stage victories with sprinter Tim Merlier. However, with Evenepoel’s departure, those ambitions took a significant hit, especially with limited opportunities for sprint stages remaining.

Tom Steels, Soudal's sports director, shared insights into Evenepoel's early exit: "It was evident on the road that he wasn't feeling his best. You hope for a turnaround, but it simply didn’t happen." After a serious injury last winter—when he was struck by a driver's van door—Evenepoel struggled but no specific reasons, like illness, have been confirmed for his poor performance.

Making the Tough Call

Steels emphasized that it was wiser for Evenepoel not to push through the discomfort: "He didn’t possess the strength to endure. We need to consider the rest of the season; pushing on might compromise everything." As soon as Evenepoel dropped back, the team adjusted their strategy, directing other riders to race independently.

Ilan Van Wilder recounted the moment: "After Remco’s drop, our mission changed. It was disappointing news, but we had to race on. We couldn’t linger on his setback." Evenepoel is now redirecting his ambitions towards upcoming races, like the Clásica San Sebastián and the World Championships, where he aims to defend his titles.

Looking to the Future

While Evenepoel’s withdrawal is a massive setback for both him and the team, the spirit remains to find silver linings. As Van Wilder put it: "It’s tough for us all, but we have to adapt our strategy. We’re aiming for at least one more stage win with Tim Merlier. That would certainly lift our spirits in what has been a troubling tour."

With the team shifting focus from GC to potential sprint stages or breakaways, Soudal-QuickStep is racing towards what they hope will be a more gratifying finish to the Tour de France. Despite the disappointment, they are determined to make the most of their remaining time in the competition.