Remco Evenepoel might not have been in a position to defend his 2022 title at this yr’s Vuelta a España, however the Belgian can stroll away happy along with his three weeks in Spain, heading again to Belgium with the polka dot climber’s jersey and three stage wins.
He virtually got here away with a fourth – for the second day in a row – following a late assault throughout Sunday’s last stage in Madrid, leaping from the peloton inside the ultimate 40km in a transfer together with Filippo Ganna and inexperienced jersey Kaden Groves.
Nonetheless, after an enormous effort to carry off the peloton, Evenepoel pale within the last kilometre as Groves burst via to win his third stage of the race forward of the Italian. Ganna later mentioned that he had advised Evenepoel to assault within the impartial zone, saying, “It may need been a joke, however he took it significantly”.
Talking after the stage, Evenepoel mentioned he merely ran out of legs within the last however that he ended the Vuelta feeling optimistic.
“Whether or not I needed to keep away from the standard bunch dash? On the finish it nonetheless appeared like a little bit of a dash,” he advised Sporza. “We had a plan with Casper Pedersen, however [Soudal-QuickStep DS] Klaas Lodewyck had advised me I might leap if I noticed a possibility and if a pleasant group rode away.
“Nonetheless, within the final 200 metres, my legs crammed up. They nonetheless came visiting me simply. It was additionally arduous to assault as a result of Kaden Groves was good sufficient to remain in my wheel. He knew I’d strive one thing else.
“I used to be within the least lucky place to assault, and my begin was sturdy, however my legs had been full. However I had enjoyable, and I can finish this Vuelta with an excellent feeling.”
Evenepoel mentioned that he comes away from the Vuelta happy along with his achievements, which embody inserting twelfth general and the combativity prize, having made 5 breakaways through the last week.
“I am happy with this Vuelta. Solely stage 13 was disappointing,” Evenepoel advised Het Nieuwsblad. “We will not be upset, although. I received three phases and virtually a fourth. That is a pleasant outcome.
“I nonetheless do not know what I did mentally to win a stage the day after that breakdown. I used to be actually empty however the second I acquired on the bike afterwards, I felt that I had good legs. Maybe it was a sort of ‘revenge’. After that, I discovered my morale once more and answered with the pedals.”
He mentioned he “nonetheless has no clarification” for the dangerous day on the street to the Col du Tourmalet, the place he dropped 90km out, shedding 27 minutes and falling out of GC rivalry, including that he’ll must put the day behind him.
“I’m proud and completely satisfied. I nonetheless don’t have any clarification for that off day. After that every thing went effectively, and I will finish the race with optimistic emotions and delightful reminiscences.
“I now must neglect that thirteenth stage. Right here I realized to race extra defensively, to cope with completely different conditions and disappointments. This Vuelta will definitely assist me sooner or later.”
Two extra race days lie between Evenepoel and his winter break, with Il Lombardia on October 7 and the Chrono des Nations time trial (October 15) his last outings of the season. Earlier than that, he’ll take a relaxation week forward of one other coaching block as he prepares to tackle Tadej Pogačar on the yr’s last Monument. Afterwards, it will be time to look in the direction of 2024.
“Now an extended winter is coming,” he advised Het Nieuwsblad. “I will not begin racing in January but. So, we have now time to ensure every thing will probably be to ensure that the Tour de France.
“I’ve confidence within the crew. We will probably be in the beginning of the Tour with the very best preparation doable.”