Lemko Evenpoel addressed recent reports and speculation about his future and said he was "surprised" by his connection to Ineos Grenadiers. He has committed his future to Quick Step Alpha Vinyl.

The new world champion said Monday ahead of his rainbow jersey debut at Binche-Simay-Binche on Tuesday.

Evenpoel, who won the Vuelta a España before the world championships, has fully established himself as a super-big star in the sport, and talk of a move to Ineos Grenadier, Velonews (opens in new tab), is Ineos' boss, Dave Brailsford has dominated the headlines since revealing that he mentioned Evenpoel's future in a message to Quick Step boss Patrick Lefebvre.

"To be honest, to tell you a little bit about this story, I was out training and I was very relaxed. I walked out the door, went for coffee and cake with a friend, and when I got back home, my phone exploded," Evenpole explained at a press conference on Monday.

"I was actually really surprised. Like I told Patrick on the phone, I didn't know anything about this."

Evenpore was not at all surprised by the news. In fact, he revealed that he knew of approaches from rival teams as well as the Ineos Grenadiers.

"I knew there was interest from different teams, not just one," Evenpoel said, choosing his words carefully.

"But I didn't want to know because it was before the Vuelta. But it was before the Vuelta, so I didn't want to know. I had a big goal with the team and I wanted to focus on that." [he added.

Lefebvre has already tried to quash speculation that Evenepoel might make a shocking move, saying the story was "stupid beyond words" and posting a photo online of him eating and talking with Evenepoel and his father Patrick, who is also his agent

The story is "too stupid for words.

Evenepoel has already signed a long-term contract through 2026, and the player indicated at a press conference on Monday that he intends to work it out.

Evenepoel's contract is closely tied to the five-year sponsorship deals Lefebvre has with Sudar, Quick Step, Specialized, and others, and the Belgian manager has indicated that it would take more than 100 million euros to keep Evenepoel out of the team.

Despite speculation that payment of the Vuelta title signing bonus has been delayed and that Evenpoel's market value has soared since signing the long-term deal, Evenpoel denied that he is unhappy with Quick Step.

"I'm on the team until the end of 2026, so I still have three more years. I mean, I'm here with the team, I have faith in the team, and the team has faith in me."

"I have no reason to leave. I'm really happy where I am. I have to keep working."

Evenpoel will race in Binche-Chimay-Binche on Tuesday after winning the world title. Competitively, his season is over, but in the six weeks he has been away from Belgium, he has become the country's first Grand Tour winner in 44 years and the first Belgian men's road race world champion in a decade.

He was met with fanfare at the Brussels airport last week, and on Sunday he appeared before a large crowd in the capital's main square. As a result, he is scheduled to have a rainbow jersey exhibition in his hometown on Tuesday.

"I'm not racing to win, I'm just here to have fun and show people my jersey," Evenpoel said.

"It's been a hard week, I always sleep late, and I'm more thankful to the people and teams that have supported me all year. I will try to enjoy it as much as possible."

Evenpoel, however, did not want to make himself the center of attention. Binche-Chimay-Binche marks the beginning of a new career for Gilbert, but also the end for two important Belgian riders.

Philippe Gilbert, the former Evenpoel world champion in 2012, will retire this weekend at Paris-Tour after an illustrious career, racing his last race on Belgian soil. Veteran track rider and Quick-Step domestique Iljo Caisse is coming to the end of his career.

"Phil, his career, no words are necessary," said Evenpoel, who rode with Gilbert in the 2019 Neo Pro season at Quick Step and assisted him, especially at the 2019 World Championships, stopping after the mechanicals.

"He is my idol. He won big races in every aspect. It was very impressive. He is also a model rider, so I am really proud to have ridden with him and to have been there for his last race in Belgium."

As for Caisse, who was a mainstay of Quick Step for 13 years, Evenpoel described the 39-year-old as a mentor.

"Especially the first year, and the year I crashed," Evenpoel said of his pelvic fracture in 2020 and the long rehabilitation that followed.

"We didn't see each other much after the crash, but he was always checking in on me through messages and phone calls.

"He had so much experience in his career and in life, and he always tried to give it to me and advise me on some steps in my career and in life.

Evenpoel concluded that Tuesday's race would be a "special day," but also hinted at his desire to stay away from the headlines. He plans to get married this weekend and enjoy a well-deserved vacation before looking ahead to 2023.

"When all is said and done, I have no complaints. All I can do is enjoy whatever happens. I'll only be racing in the jersey once this year. After that, I'm done."