Remco Evenepoel revealed he hit rock bottom during a high-altitude training camp at Sierra Nevada ahead of the Tour de France, describing a severe physical struggle during the initial phase of preparation. According to an interview reported by La Gazzetta dello Sport, the Belgian star experienced an unexpectedly difficult start to his altitude block, forcing a re-evaluation of his form and recovery limits.
Sierra Nevada Training Camp Struggles and Physical Toll
The altitude camp at Sierra Nevada tested Evenepoel’s limits more severely than anticipated. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the Soudal Quick-Step rider admitted that the first days on the Spanish mountain left him feeling empty and struggling to keep up with basic training metrics. Altitude training places extreme demands on the cardiovascular and respiratory systems, and Evenepoel’s initial response to the thin air was overwhelmingly negative.
High-altitude camps are standard practice for Grand Tour contenders aiming to boost red blood cell production before major races like the Tour de France. However, pushing too hard too early in the mountains frequently triggers overreaching. Evenepoel noted that his body simply shut down temporarily, requiring careful adjustments from his coaching staff to manage fatigue and salvage the remainder of the preparation block.
Tour de France Preparation and Recovery Strategy
Overcoming the early dip at Sierra Nevada required a shift in training volume and intensity. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the team’s sports scientists stepped in to monitor his recovery markers closely, ensuring he did not slide from functional fatigue into full overtraining syndrome. Adjusting rest days and scaling back climbing intervals allowed Evenepoel to absorb the altitude stress and eventually complete the camp on a positive note.
For elite cyclists, recognizing the threshold between productive stress and burnout is critical. Evenepoel’s transparent admission highlights the fragile balance riders maintain during specialized altitude blocks. By addressing the slump directly rather than masking the fatigue, the Belgian rider reset his physical condition ahead of subsequent racing blocks and his ultimate targets on the international calendar.
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