Soudal-Quick Step on Monday confirmed that Remco Evenpoel will return to the Vuelta a España this year, which he won in 2022.

World champion Evenpoel initially targeted this year's Giro d'Italia. At one point there was speculation that he might compete in the Tour de France, but the Vuelta was seen as more likely, if still distant.

"Initially, I said I would prefer that he did not compete in the Tour de Spain," Souldal-Quick Step team manager Patrick Lefebvre told La Dernière Heure. 'But when I saw the level he had achieved again and his enthusiasm, I had no choice but to follow his lead.'

"Lemko wants a big challenge. If the training camp goes well and he has no problems, he will participate in the Vuelta.

"I am very excited to be back in the Vuelta," Evenepoel said in a team press release. 'I participated for the first time last year and had a great time, so I can't wait to be there again, to take on the race and its many challenges, and to be reunited with my wonderful fans, whose energy I feel every day is amazing.'

The world champion was referring to his victory at this year's Volta a Catalunya in Barcelona. He escaped from leader Primoš Roglic, who took him to the stage win, but finished second, six seconds behind the rider of Jumbo Visma. "As you all know, I love racing in Spain and many of my big wins since turning pro have come in Spain. I hope to continue on this path next month.

After abandoning the Giro, Evenepoel took a stage win and third overall at the Tour de Suisse, and in late June he won the 2-up sprint at the Belgian national road championships.

Lefebvre dismissed the notion that Evenpoel would be under pressure to repeat his victory in the 2022 Vuelta.

"As a team we will not put pressure on him. Lemko has only finished one Grand Tour so far, and that won't be enough if he wants to be competitive in next year's Tour de France.

"For us, he has no obligation to get results in Spain. Besides, he cannot rely on his usual team in Spain."

"But you know Lemko: if he starts the race, he will try to win there.

At last year's Vuelta a España, he won two stages, a time trial in Alicante and a three-week summit finish, to win his first Grand Tour in over 40 years.

Other winners include three-time winner Primoz Roglic (Jumbo Visma), who won his first Giro this May despite falling in 2022, Geraint Thomas (Ineos Grenadiers), and Juan Ayuso, who finished third in the Vuelta last year at age 20, with UAE Team Emirates), who finished third in the Vuelta last year at age 20.