Pogacar-Van der Poel duel inspires Evenepoel comeback / Photo: Marco BERTORELLO - AFP
-
Melbourne City edge crosstown rivals to win A-League title
-
England's Overton ruled out of West Indies series
-
Piastri stays on top ahead of Norris in Spanish GP practice
-
Heitinga returns to Ajax to take over as coach
-
Sudden hailstorm lashes Egypt's Alexandria
-
Ukraine expands evacuations in Sumy region amid offensive fears
-
Pentagon chief warns China is 'preparing' to use military force in Asia
-
Russian teen Andreeva eases into French Open last 16, to meet Kasatkina
-
Fils blames back stress fracture for Roland Garros withdrawal
-
Rescue operations underway after Nigeria flooding kills at least 150
-
South Koreans rally for presidential hopefuls days before vote
-
India monsoon floods kill five in northeast
-
Chinese automakers get stern 'price war' warning after discount spree
-
Panama launches maintenance work at contested mine
-
Swiss glacier collapse offers global warning of wider impact
-
Vienna calling: Strauss's 'The Blue Danube' to waltz into outer space
-
Trump 'tough love' on defence better than no love: EU's Kallas
-
Mumbai say 'winning mentality' can deliver record sixth IPL title
-
EU member Bulgaria faces protests over adopting the euro
-
South Koreans to rally for presidential hopefuls before vote
-
Moroccan women embroider 'art with purpose'
-
Brumbies lament costly loss in pursuit of first Super Rugby title since 2004
-
Djokovic, Sinner continue Paris quests as Gauff eyes week two
-
PSG and Inter Milan set for Champions League final showdown
-
Chevron champ Saigo takes three-shot US Women's Open lead
-
Pentagon chief warns China 'preparing' to use military force in Asia
-
Trump vowed to remake aid. Is Gaza the future?
-
Moderna Receives U.S. FDA Approval for COVID-19 Vaccine mNEXSPIKE
-
Witness accusing Sean Combs of sexual assault defends online posts of 'great times'
-
Trump says will double steel, aluminum tariffs to 50%
-
Taylor, Griffin share lead at PGA Tour's Memorial Tournament
-
Trump says to double steel tariff to 50%
-
Alcaraz fights into French Open last 16 as Swiatek, Sabalenka progress
-
Central Nigeria flooding kill more than 115
-
Alcaraz wobbles but reaches French Open last 16
-
Germany qualify, England hit six in Women's Nations League
-
Pelicans ace Williamson accused of rape in LA civil suit
-
Trump says Macrons 'are fine' after plane row video
-
'M*A*S*H' actress Loretta Swit dead: publicist
-
Stocks mixed after Trump accuses China of violating tariff deal
-
How Switzerland's Birch glacier collapsed
-
Musk vows to stay Trump's 'friend' in bizarre black-eyed farewell
-
Who said what: French Open day 6
-
Hamilton determined to make Ferrari adventure work
-
PSG will handle pressure in Champions League final, says skipper Marquinhos
-
Swiatek and Sabalenka into French Open last 16
-
The world's most unpopular president? Peru's leader clings to power
-
Comedian Russell Brand pleads not guilty to rape, sexual assault charges
-
Frenchman Fils pulls out of Roland Garros with injury
-
Whitecaps look to make history in CONCACAF final
NYSE - LSE
Pogacar-Van der Poel duel inspires Evenepoel comeback
Double Olympic champion Remco Evenepoel has drawn inspiration during his struggle with injury and personal demons by watching his rivals Tadej Pogacar and Mathieu van der Poel in recent one-day races.
The 25-year-old tore shoulder ligaments when a postal van door was opened on him in December, an injury he said "would have ended my career if I had been a tennis or basketball player".
He also admitted he had been drained by the crash, even imagining premature retirement.
He said his competitive spirit was reignited by watching races from his sickbed and sofa.
Van der Poel won Paris-Roubaix at the weekend and Pogacar won Flanders the week before.
Evenepoel returns to action Friday at the Brabantse Pijl and the Amstel Gold on Sunday, when he will take on Pogacar.
"Pogacar is an inspiration. But I have to be able to beat him. That's what my team pays me for," said Evenepoel.
"It was amazing to see Van der Poel and Pogacar battling it out. It motivated me to push myself in training. I too want to compete at San Remo, the Ronde, and Roubaix one day," he said.
On Friday, Evenepoel will be one of the favourites with Briton Tom Pidcock, Belgian Wout van Aert and Eritrean Biniam Girmay for the 162.km dash over 21 hills in this Ardennes Classic.
It may be his first outing since hitting the van, but Evenepoel, who has major ambitions for winning the Tour de France in July, wants to win Friday too, said his coach.
"That's Remco for you. He can't turn out thinking about coming 30th," Koen Pelgrim said.
The same riders will be joined by Pogacar in the Netherlands on Sunday for the 255.9 km Amstel Gold with its 34 hills, won in 2024 by Pidcock.
Evenepoel came third at the 2024 Tour de France picking up the best young rider award. He also won the Olympic time-trial and road race gold medals in Paris.
J.Oliveira--AMWN