Britain's James Knox will be on the hunt for Lemko Evenpole's Grand Tour victory in the coming years as Quick-Step shifts its focus to a more broadly focused race strategy to back up the Belgian youngster's ambitions. ready to support his fight for victory in the Grand Tours.

The Flemish-based WorldTour team has traditionally focused on the classics, with overall Grand Tour victories, especially in the Tour de France, considered out of reach.

But Evenpoel's talent and his success have changed all that, and he is expected to target the 2023 Giro d'Italia before turning his attention to the Tour de France.

"It's a huge achievement for Lemko, for the team, and for Belgium. He's only 22, but he has lived up to the hype. He's only 22, but he's lived up to the hype. Knox recently told Cyclingnews and VeloNews

, "I'm very proud of the team. [I think everyone on the team knows how good he is in training and in one-day races. But to actually do it in the Grand Tour is not a surprise, but a bit of shock and awe at the way Lemko won the Vuelta."

Knox has proven himself to be a talented climber and would seem to be the ideal rider to support Evenpoel in the Grand Tour, especially in the crucial mountain stages of the 2023 Giro d'Italia. Italy's Fausto Masnada will also likely be part of the Quick-Step contingent at next May's Corsa Rosa.

Knox joined Quick Step in 2018 and quickly proved to be one of the team's best climbers, finishing 11th overall at the 2019 Vuelta a España and 14th at the 2020 Giro d'Italia. He is already racing with Evenpoel and is ready to play a key role in 2023.

"I have been racing with him and supporting him for the last few years. I know that role very well and there will be opportunities in the future to support him in the Grand Tours," Knox explained.

"Thankfully, we already have strong riders like Dries Devenance and Pieter Serry who do a great job. The team has added support from Masnada, Luis Verweke, and Ilan Van Wilder."

"We have a lot of people who are very good at what they do.

"We now have a climbing player, which will be a big attraction for the players joining the team, especially now that Lemko is delivering. Especially since Lemco is getting results now."

"Some players will want to get on the 'good train' so to speak. Given that Lemco will be taking on more Grand Tours over the next five years or so, one can imagine that Patrick Lefebvre will be looking to strengthen his team in that regard.

With Ineos Grenadiers eager to pull Evenpoel away from Quick Step, Lefebvre knows he will have to further strengthen his team. He told Cycling News that his contract with Evenpoel is valid through 2026, but pressure from rival teams trying to pry him away means he cannot waste time in building a Grand Tour team.

The 27-year-old Knox has a contract through 2023, when the team will become Suredal-Quick Step thanks to further sponsorship. The Cambrian climber had a trying 2022 season, but hopes to return to his best next season.

"I had a bit of a problem at the beginning of the year, I wasn't in good enough shape. I competed in the Giro, but I didn't have the legs. The second half of the season went better," Knox said.

"Experienced riders will tell you that sometimes it's your year and sometimes it's not. The level is getting higher and there is no room for mistakes. That seems to be the key thing."

"A big star like Lemko can get results when he's not at 100%, but a guy like me has to be at 100% to be in the race, and I want to be in 2023."