Forget Tour de France, Remco Evenepoel should target Giro d’Italia in 2023 – Vincenzo Nibali

Vincenzo Nibali has urged Remco Evenepoel (Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl) to delay his Tour de France debut and target the Giro d’Italia in 2023. Evenepoel soared to a maiden Grand Tour title at La Vuelta in September, fuelling excitement over a potential showdown with Jonas Vingegaard (Jumbo-Visma) and Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) at the Tour next year.

Ad But Nibali, who rode into retirement at Il Lombardia earlier in October, advised the Belgian to pursue a “gradual development”. CyclingEvenepoel: Winning the Tour de France is 'ultimate dream'12/10/2022 AT 22:48 «I'd target the Giro in 2023 if I was Remco Evenepoel,” said the Italian at the Giro route presentation in Milan on Monday.

“He won the Vuelta and so a gradual development is the best way to go in Grand Tours. “It can be another important step in his development as a rider.» Evenepoel capped a sensational season with the World Championship road race title in September, adding to his wins at La Vuelta and Liege-Bastogne-Liege.

The 2023 Giro is expected to boast a strong field, with Geraint Thomas (Ineos Grenadiers) and Primoz Roglic (Jumbo-Visma) among those who could compete. Thomas finished third at the 2022 Tour behind Vingegaard and Pogacar, while Roglic was Evenepoel’s closest challenger in Spain before a freak crash ended his hopes of a fourth straight title.

'We have a plan' — Evenepoel coy on racing at 2023 Tour de France 'Too stupid for words' – Evenepoel to Ineos rumours shut down by Lefevere Route organisers have faced criticism for scheduling the final stage in Rome, leaving the peloton with a 750km transfer from northern Italy to the capital. With that stage set to be a procession, the Giro is set to be decided on the individual time trial from