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Remco Evenepoel may be making a surprise return to racing ahead of schedule, as a name sticker on an unreleased Specialized Tarmac SL9 hints at his participation in the Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alps. This revelation could significantly impact the dynamics leading up to the Tour de France.
The Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alps is a crucial testing ground for new tech and strategies before the season's biggest event. This year's event showcases the Specialized Tarmac SL9, spotted at Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe's camp. A sticker under the bike's downtube bearing Evenepoel's name suggests he might race, despite previously removing this event from his calendar to focus on training for 69 days.
The presence of a gold chain on the bike, a signature of the Olympic champion, adds further intrigue. While Red Bull has not disclosed their full roster, the clues lean towards Evenepoel's early return, especially with the team time trial featured in this race, offering him a final chance to fine-tune his performance.
If Evenepoel competes on Sunday, it could complicate things for pre-race favorite Paul Seixas, as he would face formidable competition. A strong supporting squad for Evenepoel could reshape the narrative before the Tour de France begins in Barcelona.
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