There was once an era when the team of Quick-Step would have dominated a race like the opening stage of the 2025 Tour de France. The Belgian outfit just a few seasons ago were kings of the Classics; a well-drilled, organised squad proudly bossing the front of the peloton with their self-proclaimed “wolfpack” aura. Back then, they relished carnage and chaos because it was when their strengths came to the fore – if crosswinds and narrow roads were on the menu, Quick-Step were feasting. But times have changed.
Instead of the famous blue jerseys taking to the front of the bunch when the splits started happening in stage one of the Tour de France this year – as the likes of UAE Team Emirates and Visma-Lease a Bike did – Soudal-Quick-Step were scrambling. Remco Evenepoel, a favourite to finish on the podium in the general classification, was out of position and out of luck, losing time on his rivals on a day which, on paper, shouldn’t have been a problem for the 25-year-old. It was sloppy riding from both him and his teammates, who admitted after the race they should have done better.
“I think we were not expecting it anymore. We kind of fell asleep a bit. We were too relaxed and that was a big and the only mistake we made today,” a dejected Evenepoel said after he eventually lost 40 seconds to the likes of Tadej Pogačar on stage one. “Otherwise we were pretty much always in front and well organised. I think after the climb of Cassel it was quite relaxed in the bunch and we became sleepy because of that. We believed it was going to go the sprint so it was a big mistake from us and a pretty unfortunate situation.”
Image: Zac Williams/SWpix.com
It wasn’t just Evenepoel who will leave this stage disappointed with his performance for Quick-Step. Four-time Giro d’Italia stage winner Tim Merlier had been primed for success in the sprint finish, openly discussing the amount of work he had put in ahead of this Tour de France to try and at least have the chance to sprint for the win and the first yellow jersey of the race. The cold, sad reality for the 32-year-old fast man was a 47th place finish and the weight of disappointment on his shoulders.
“It’s still a very long race, this was stupid time loss but we can’t change,” Evenepoel continued. “I’m happy I have not been off the bike today and that I could stay on the bike but, of course, the most disappointing thing is that we didn’t get to go for the stage with Tim. That is more disappointing than the time loss.”
It’s an overused cliché, but Evenepoel is right to point out that the Tour de France still has a long way to go. One mistake like this is far from ideal for the Belgian team, but it also serves as a wake up call for them to do better and there is still time to do so. While Evenepoel’s time loss is notable, it isn’t catastrophic and Quick-Step can correct their mistakes to try and bring themselves back closer to the collective level of rival GC teams such as Visma-Lease a Bike and UAE Team Emirates.
“We have to look forward. It happened but there is still a long way to go. It is 21 stages and only one has gone,” Evenepoel reflected after the race. “Tomorrow we will try to make the best of it again. It will be an explosive race and a tricky stage. Of course, it is always a bit shit to start like this.”
Cover image: Jasper Jacobs/Getty
