Deceuninck-QuickStep team boss Patrick Lefevere has suggested that teen phenom Remco Evenepoel could race at the Tokyo Olympics next summer, continuing his mercurial rise to the top of the sport. The 19-year-old neo-pro his fourth and fifth races of the season earlier this month, taking a solo victory at Clásica San Sebastián and following it up last Thursday with a 19-second win at the European Championships time trial. His progress has been so rapid that many have wondered if there`s a race he won`t be able to win, but Lefevere has ruled the biggest of all out - for next season, at least.ADVERTISEMENT `Remco will still only be 20 next year. That`s too early to ride the Tour,` said Lefevere in an interview with Het Laatste Nieuws. `If he wants to do the Olympics, I`ll let him. `He is still young, in full development. He must be given the opportunity to develop himself so we`re not going to put anything in his way. [Next summer] he will therefore have his hands free to prepare for the Games.` The 19-year-old recently secured an informal contract extension with Deceuninck-QuickStep, as Lefevere reached a handshake agreement with Evenepoel`s father. As a result, another year has been added, with the option to extend further to 2023. It was an easy decision to make, according to the veteran team manager.
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