2023-09-09 11:19:00
As a result, Evenepoel slipped from third place to 19th place in the overall ranking and of course lost all chances of overall victory in the Vuelta.
While the defeated man apparently had to collect himself first, his sports director Klaas Lodewyck tried to give an initial explanation following Evenepoel crossed the finish line.
“You can’t say much regarding this stage. It was just a bad day for Remco – he wasn’t sick or injured. That’s unfortunate and can happen. Cycling is not a simulator race and we are all human,” commented the 35-year-old Debacle.
At the same time, he also looked ahead: “We will get together as a team this evening, analyze what happened and set our goals for the rest of the race.”
Evenepoel: “Tank war single leather”
The time trial world champion made no statement in the finish area; without saying a word, he and his assistants rolled to the team vehicles and silently freshened up for the ride down to the team bus.
Only later did the captain of Soudal Quick-Step publish a short message to his fans: “If you give everything, you don’t have to regret anything. Today the tank was simply empty. Thanks to the team for the support and for seeing you through to the end stayed with me.”
For Evenepoel, this is a new low blow following his exit from the Giro due to a corona infection, and his second attempt at victory at one of the major national tours in 2023 also failed.
Evenepoel explains – and reveals his new Vuelta goals
Evenepoel loses white jersey to Ayuso
However, last year’s winner was once once more combative: “Wolves never give up,” he concluded his post on Instagram as a reference to the wolf pack, as the Belgian racing team calls itself.
By the way: Of course, Evenepoel also had to give up the white jersey as the best young rider following the stage. This now lies on the shoulders of fourth overall Juan Ayuso (UAE Team Emirates).
The Belgian champion is only seventh in the junior rankings. At least there shouldn’t be another black day for him in the white jersey.
Evenepoel falls behind on the first mountain: “Very difficult moments”
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