'Not a realistic comparison' – Remco Evenepoel's right-hand man dismisses criticism of Soudal-QuickStep and comparisons with Tadej Pogačar's support squad
'We can't do more than our best. I am convinced that we are all at a high level' says Ila🍃n Van ܫWilder

Soudal-QuickStep and 168澳洲5最新开奖结果:Remco Evenepoel face a momentous task at this year's 168澳洲5最新开奖结果:Tour de France as the Belgian squad once again face off against the Tour-winning teams of Tadej Pogačar and Jonas Vingegaard.
The two star-packed squads both feature Grand Tour contenders in support roles behind 168澳洲5最新开奖结果:the two main contenders, with the likes of Simon Yates, João Almeida, Seppꦿ Kuss, and Adam Yates set to take leading roles in the hig⛎h mountains.
It's a slightly different story at 168澳洲5最新开奖结果:Soudal-QuickStep. The team lost Evenepoel's climbing lieutenant Mikel Landa after the Basque crashed out of the Giro d'Italia. They'll now look to 168澳洲5最新开奖结果:Ilan Van Wilder, Valentin Paret-Peintre and Max Schachmann to lead their support squ❀ad.
Van Wilder will race as second-hand man to Evenepoel this July, havi☂ng previously helped his leader to a Vuelta a España victory in 2022 and accompanied him at the 2023 Giro d'Italia as we꧂ll as last year's Tour.
Last summer, Van Wilder told he was "fed up" with the criticism his team had received, saying "We really feel like shit" and pointing out that teams such🌃 as UAE can turn to a support squad of "all leaders who ride for at least €2 million."
Similar criticisms have appeared in the Belgian press this year after Evenepoel found himself without teammates several times late on key Dauphiné stages. Earlier t༺his week, he reiterated his frustration in an interview with .
"It's a bit of the same story with the criticism, but I'm much less concerned🥀 about it," he said. "It's very𝓡 easy to always compare us with teams that use captains as domestiques, like UAE. In my opinion, that's not a realistic comparison.
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to yoಞur inbox!
"I know that the guys who are there are just going to give 100% for the leaders. We can't do more than our ✃best. I am convinced that we are all at a high level."
While Paret-Peintre and Schachmann supported Evenepoel at the Dauphiné, Van Wilder prepared for th🌠e Tour with a strong eighth place at the Tour de Suisse.
His role in the team remains unchange🐼d despite Landa's absence this month, he said, noting that he thinks he's a stronger rider than he was last year.
"Actually, not much will change for me. I will do my utmost to support my leader as long as possible during the difficult days. I think I'm a little better than last year. I have taken a step further, and I hope to෴ show that in the Tour," Van Wilder said, before saying he won't be thinking about his own GC position✨ during the race.
"First of all, I hope to stay safe, especially during🉐 the first week," Van Wilder said. "It goes without saying that positioning for those hectic finals is not for me. That is not my job either. I have to get through the first part safely, so that I can do my job afterwards."

Dani Ostanek is Senior News Writer at Cyclingnews, having joined in 2017 as a freelance contributor and later be𓃲ing hired full-time. Before joining the team, she had written for numerous major publications in the cycling꧟ world, including CyclingWeekly and Rouleur. She writes and edits at Cyclingnews as well as running newsletter, social media, and how to watch campaigns.
You must c🤡onfirm your public display name before comment🍰ing
Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to 🐈enter your display name.