Remco Evenepoel, one of cycling’s brightest stars, shocked fans and the peloton alike when he abandoned the 2025 Tour de France during Stage 14. For those searching “what happened to Remco Evenepoel,” the story is one of recent struggles, raw emotion, and high-profile heartbreak in the world’s most demanding race.
What Happened to Remco Evenepoel: The Latest in Stage 14
After two brutally tough stages in the Pyrenees, Remco Evenepoel (Soudal-QuickStep) could not continue his campaign in the 2025 Tour de France. On July 19th, early into Stage 14—described by many as the hardest of this year’s race—Evenepoel abandoned, leaving dreams of a podium and a dramatic Paris finish dashed for the Belgian champion.
The decision came after several days of visible difficulties. Evenepoel, who started the Tour strong and wore the white jersey as the best young rider, began losing touch with the race’s elite in the most grueling mountain stages. His struggles became especially evident in the mountain time trial to Peyragudes during Stage 13 when he finished a distant 12th—far below his usual high standards.
Key Points Summary – Fast Track
- Remco Evenepoel abandoned the Tour de France in Stage 14 after days of visible struggles.
- He lost significant time in recent mountain stages, including a painful time trial finish.
- The abandonment follows a period beset with physical and psychological hurdles.
- Fans and pundits alike are left reflecting on what went wrong and what’s next for the young Belgian star.
- The peloton and cycling world will now adjust to his absence in the final Tour stages.
Evenepoel’s Tour: From Hopeful to Heartbreak
Early in the race, Remco Evenepoel embodied hope for a podium finish. He took an early stage win and consistently looked poised to challenge cycling’s biggest names. However, signs of exhaustion and mounting pressure began to show after the first Pyrenean mountain stage. He dropped from second place overall to barely hanging onto the podium, suffering back-to-back difficult days.
His defeat was sealed in Stage 13, a punishing 10.9km uphill time trial. Expected to gain time on his rivals, Evenepoel found himself overtaken by Jonas Vingegaard—who started two minutes after him—and finished well outside the top contenders. Speaking after the stage, Evenepoel was candid, saying, “It was bad. I was really bad…I just could not keep pushing the power”.
These difficulties echoed physical strains as well as immense psychological pressure, with Evenepoel admitting he felt “empty” and could not explain the sudden loss of form.
Comparison Table: Evenepoel’s Critical Stages
| Stage | Result | Time Lost to Winner | Notable Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mountain TT (Stage 13) | 12th place | +2 min 40 sec | Overtaken by Vingegaard |
| Hautacam (Stage 12) | 7th place | Significant | Lost time to GC leaders |
| Stage 14 | Abandoned (DNF) | – | Could not continue |
What Happened to Remco Evenepoel: Deeper Dive
Remco entered the Tour after making a strong recovery from a winter injury. Early performances suggested he had rediscovered peak form—claiming a stage win and holding the white jersey. However, the relentless succession of high-mountain stages revealed vulnerabilities. After being dropped from the group of favorites repeatedly and losing considerable time, the cumulative toll forced a heartbreaking abandonment in Stage 14.
Key factors in Remco’s exit:
- Repeated physical exhaustion on mountain stages
- Loss of output in decisive moments (as seen in the time trial)
- Heavy psychological toll after being passed by rivals
- No indication of a crash or acute injury on Stage 14—Rather, a cumulative “cracking” under the Tour’s immense demands
His decision to quit the race was confirmed by race officials and his team before the peloton conquered the hardest climbs of the stage.
What’s Next for Remco Evenepoel?
With his Tour de France ambitions over for 2025, fans are left wondering about Evenepoel’s next goals. Will he focus on upcoming races, recover further from his winter adversity, or make significant changes before returning to the world’s biggest stage? What’s clear is that the grit and honesty shown in defeat have left an impact on both fans and peers alike.
The final stages of the Tour will now unfold without one of this year’s most compelling riders. The cycling world waits eagerly to see how Evenepoel bounces back from this tough chapter.
Do you have thoughts on Remco’s decision or predictions for his next big move? Share your insights in the comments below and join the conversation.