Remco Evenepoel “is already feeling a bit better” and is committed to the running project: “During my time at Anderlecht I finished 13th during a half marathon”

“I feel a bit better already,” says Remco Evenepoel two weeks after his heavy fall in the Tour of the Basque Country. Our compatriot broke his collarbone and shoulder blade in that fall. He is not fit yet, so instead of preparing for Sunday’s Liège-Bastogne-Liège, Evenepoel fulfills his task as ambassador for Tous à Bord. The association is committed to the inclusion of people with disabilities through sport and is celebrating its 20th anniversary with a 400 km running project, in which able-bodied and disabled athletes run from the Atomium in Brussels to Paris over five days. “More than the sporting challenge, it is the spirit that is important to me. We are lucky that we can live a normal life. Unfortunately, that does not apply to everyone,” says Evenepoel. “It is up to us to take responsibility and give them a pat on the back to help them move forward.”

Evenepoel is known as a good runner during his time at Anderlecht, but to his great regret he cannot run. “It’s only a few weeks before the Tour de France, so it’s far from ideal. But if another event is organized between October and December, I will do my best to attend.”

When Evenepoel was sixteen years and nine months old, he made an impression by running a fast time during the Brussels half marathon. He crossed the line after one hour and sixteen minutes. “I remember it very well. I was at Anderlecht, in Stéphane Stassin’s team. We had just played against Bruges before and he advised me to rest. My father participated in the marathon. I went to cheer him on. My mother told me not to just look at him on the side of the road. That’s how I got to the start of the half marathon, which I eventually ran in 1 hour 16 minutes. I don’t think that was that bad. I finished thirteenth, an important number for me. I still have good memories of it.”

Isaac Kimeli

“Running has always appealed to me and it is one of the sports that I follow closely,” he continues. “For example, at the Olympic Games I watch the entire marathon, while others certainly fall asleep watching the race. I just find it exciting to watch. I also still have a few friends in the sport, like Isaac Kimeli, with whom I keep in touch regularly.”

“I still run in the winter, even two or three times a week. During the season it is more difficult because the risk of injuries is somewhat greater than with cycling. But as soon as I have a recovery period, I take the opportunity to get out for 30 to 40 minutes. No more than that or it will kill the muscles. But I still walk quite often. I already have some running projects in mind for after my career, but nothing to share yet.”