Lemko Evenpoel is enjoying his Tour de France debut despite the expectations placed on his young shoulders and the fatigue of a slowly accumulating race.

His stage 7 time trial victory over Tadej Pogachar (UAE Team Emirates), Primoš Roglic (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe), and Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Ries-A-Bike) is the 2023 World time trial title, and arguably the most prestigious time trial victory of his career.

Everything about the Tour de France is a new experience and a new success for Evenpole. He is eager to savor it all and seems to be in love with the sport's greatest race.

"I'm never coming back, I hate it," he joked when asked about his Tour debut.

"Of course I'm joking. Of course I'm joking, it's been a week of racing and I'm second overall. I'm having fun, I'm relaxed, and a stage win is very special. And stage wins are very special. I'll be back for sure. There was a moment when I thought I had a flat tire, but it was a great performance and I proved that I am the time trial world champion. He was fastest in all three time checks and closed the gap in the Tour de France GC standings by 12 seconds to Pogachar, 34 seconds to Roglic, and 37 seconds to Vingegaard.

"It was super high today and the time difference was small. It's even more special because my family is all here. I'll never forget this win," he said, his voice trembling slightly with emotion.

"Taddei is the best chronoman in the Grand Tour race and a hard one to beat. I have to be happy and build on this."

Evenpoel can aim for the podium, but he is keeping his ambitions in check, at least for now. He sees Pogachar as the winner of the Tour and will have the advantage in the mountain stages, but will not fully accept defeat.

"Taddei is a different kind of rider and should easily win the Tour de France. Taddei is virtually unbeatable. But you never know. ......"

After a great effort in the time trial, Evenpoel can enjoy a quiet day in the peloton as the sprinters are expected to control the attack on Saturday's eighth stage from Semur-en-Aussios to Colombie-les-deux-Eglise

The next big day for Evenpoel and his GC rivals is Sunday, with a gravel stage starting and finishing in Troyes The 199km stage includes 47km and 14 sectors of gravel. The last six sectors are packed into the last 35km, making it a true test for the overall contenders.

Evenpoel is often critical of gravel stages in Grand Tours, but his love of the Tour de France has him ready for Sunday's race.

"It will be a tough stage. From Paris to Nice, there are a lot of ups and downs.

"The gravel sectors are not as dangerous compared to Strada Bianche or the 2021 Giro d'Italia. From our reconnaissance, some of the sectors had steep and hard starts, but this was a very beautiful gravel stage.

"It will be important to be in a good position all day. It's a long stage and it's day nine, so your legs will be tired."

"It's definitely not a stage you can win the Tour, but if you're unlucky you could lose the Tour.

"If everything goes normally, there won't be a big difference between us and the GC favorites, maybe not even a difference. But we have to be ready and prepared for the big day of racing."

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