Remco Evenepoel and his Soudal Quickstep teammates have already arrived in Argentina ahead of their appearance in the Vuelta a San Juan, which begins on January 22.

The world champion will be joined by a strong six-man team with Fabio Jacobsen, Yves Lampert, Mikhail Morkov, Jan Hilt, and Pieter Serry.

Evenpoel is the defending champion and will wear the number 1 dossard in San Juan. The Belgian won the last edition in 2020 ahead of Filippo Ganna and Oscar Sevilla, and they will be back in 2023.

"Lemko won here last time and came back as world champion. All of us are ready to open the season hoping to provide many great moments," said Davide Bramati, director of Sudar-Quick Step, in a statement released by the team.

Three years ago, Evenpoel took the final overall victory in the time trial to Punta Negra, but this time there is no stage against the clock.

"Without the individual time trial, Alto Colorado (stage 5, ed.) will be the decisive stage for the overall.

On Thursday, Evenpoel and his teammates got on their bikes for the first time since their arrival and trained for 80 km in the stage 6 finale. The Dutchman's sprint rivals in Argentina include former teammate Sam Bennett (Bora-Hansgrohe).

"San Juan will be a good test for Fabio. He will have a good leadout and will want to show his speed and win on one of the flattest days of the race," Bramati said.

But all eyes will inevitably be on Evenpole and his rainbow jersey. The Belgian will be the guest of honor at a friendly soccer match in San Juan between Argentine champions Boca Juniors and Chile's Everton de Viña del Mar.