Remco Evenepoel faces possible suspension before Tour de France

The Belgian Cycling Federation has warned that any rider who skips the Belgian road national championship without a valid medical certificate will receive a nine‑day suspension. Rider Remco Evenepoel, who is set to start the Tour de France for Red Bull‑Bora‑Hansgrohe, could be barred from the race that begins on 4 July in Barcelona if he skips the championship on 28 June. Team officials say they are preparing a medical exemption, but the exact repercussions remain unclear.

Legal experts note that a Belgian suspension could be transferred to UCI‑sanctioned events abroad, although no precedent exists. Similar issues affect other Belgians such as Tim Wellens and Wout Van Aert, who also risk sanctions for non‑attendance.

In the Netherlands, star rider Mathieu van der Poel has chosen to skip the Dutch national championships to focus on the Tour, calling the event a “flutwedstrijd.” He remains listed as a reserve for the Dutch championship in Nijmegen, and his participation could still influence the title fight.

The Belgian championship itself saw a large number of riders absent, triggering criticism from federation director Massimo Van Lancker, who reiterated that the race is compulsory for all professionals.