Touching moment of Remco Evenepoel in view of the arrival of Lombardy 2024. The Classica delle Foglie Morte is special for the Belgian runner who in his first participation, in 2020, fell during the descent of the Sormano, risking his life. A terrible accident that affected the rest of the season (which had just (re)started at the time given that it was the year in which the calendar, and not only that, was upset by Covid), but also the following one, so much so that he returned to racing only nine months later, directly at the Giro d’Italia. However, 2021 was also complicated, given that in addition to the fracture of the pelvis, the consequences of that accident also had a bearing on his psychophysical development as an athlete. However, it could have been much worse and the Belgian talent is well aware of this and who knows how it would have gone without his sporting director Davide Bramati, who immediately lowered himself into the slope to help him.
Evenepoel remembers well those moments at the bottom of the ravine and how important the Italian manager was. Four years later, the two-time Olympic champion achieved a splendid second place, beaten only by a phenomenal Tadej Pogacar and he wanted to dedicate this first podium in the last Monument of the season to Bramati, sending him a touching message via radio.
“This second place is for you. You saved my life here four years ago,” Evenepoel said a few meters from the finish line to Bramati, who was congratulating him in the flagship. The images recorded by the Belgian team show the emotional reaction, with the eyes becoming teary, of the expert Italian coach, who in turn certainly remembers that day very well and all the emotions he felt.
The recap of an emotional day that started out with a surprise and ended with a big result 😍 pic.twitter.com/7BRIdHSiKW
— Soudal Quick-Step Pro Cycling Team (@soudalquickstep) October 12, 2024
