Double Olympic gold medallist Remco Evenepoel and two-time Tour of Britain winner Julian Alaphilippe are set to lead the charge at this yearโs Lloyds Bank Tour of Britain, which kicks off on 3rd September in Kelso. The Soudal Quick-Step teammates bring a wealth of experience and success to the six-stage race, promising an exciting contest.
For Evenepoel, this will be his debut in Britainโs biggest professional cycle race. The Belgian rider made history in Paris last month by becoming the first male cyclist to win both the road race and time trial gold medals at the same Olympics. His return to competition in Britain marks another chapter in a season that has already seen him secure stage victories in four major races, including the Tour de France, where he claimed the best young rider jersey.
Reflecting on his upcoming challenges, Evenepoel acknowledged the quality of his competition, notably recognising his rival, Tadej Pogaฤar, who he may face at the UCI Road World Championships in Zurich. “Tadej is the best rider in the world, he will be motivated in Zurich,” Evenepoel said earlier this week. “I can go to the World Championship with little pressure, I have these Olympic titles for four years. But if I go to a World Championship, it will be to aim high. I have a chance to win both titles: both courses suit me and the Belgian team will be very strong.”
Joining Evenepoel is the seasoned Julian Alaphilippe, who returns for his third appearance in the race. The Frenchman, known for his attacking style and previous successes on British roads, will be looking to add another Tour of Britain title to his impressive palmarรจs. Alaphilippeโs previous victories in 2018 and 2021 have made him a fan favourite in the UK, and his recent performances, including a second place at the Donostia San Sebastian Klasikoa, suggest he is in fine form.
Alaphilippeโs achievements this season also include stage wins in the Tour of Slovakia, Czech Tour, and Giro dโItalia, where he also earned the Combativity Award. His return to the Tour of Britain is highly anticipated, with British fans eager to see if he can reclaim the crown.
Ethan Vernon, fresh from his silver medal in the team pursuit at the Paris Olympics, is another notable entry. The 23-year-old will be competing in his fourth Tour of Britain and has a history of strong performances, having finished in the top six on each of the first six stages last year. Vernonโs track record on both the road and track makes him a rider to watch in the sprint finishes.
Also making his debut is Norwayโs Jonas Abrahamsen, who impressed during this summerโs Tour de France by holding the King of the Mountains jersey for ten stages. Abrahamsenโs aggressive riding style earned him recognition, and his recent victory at the Brussels Cycling Classic underlines his potential as a serious contender.
The race will see 18 teams from 12 countries competing, including six teams that participated in this yearโs Tour de France. The Lloyds Bank Tour of Britain will journey through Scotland, Tees Valley, South Yorkshire, the East Midlands, and West Northamptonshire, before concluding in Suffolk on 8th September.
Main photo credit: Getty
