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Belgian cyclist Remco Evenepoel has hit back at claims made on Flemish TV suggesting he financially supports his wife’s Moroccan family. «My wife comes from a wealthy Moroccan family. Is it that hard to believe they simply worked hard and built a good life?» he wrote in a sharply worded Instagram post.
The Olympic champion was responding to remarks made on Monday’s episode of the VRT programme De Afspraak, where journalist Ruben Van Gucht hinted that Evenepoel had «involved his wife’s family in his victories» and was «trying to take care of them».
Evenepoel, who married his childhood sweetheart Oumaïma «Oumi» Rayane in 2022, said the rumours were not only false but also disrespectful. «Oumi’s parents live 200 metres from mine in Schepdaal, in a beautiful villa they built through hard work and entrepreneurship. They owe their wealth to no one—certainly not to me».
The cyclist, who embraced Islam after meeting Oumi, said her family had always been a source of strength. «If anyone has supported someone, it’s them supporting us».
He also took direct aim at Van Gucht: «Your limited worldview says more about you than about reality. Maybe focus on your own family. We hear things too».
