At Alto del Piornal, a tongue of asphalt in the mountains of Extremadura that borders some of the most beautiful regions of Spain (Monfragüe, Gredos, la Vera), Remco Evenepoel sinks his head into the handlebars, arches into an aerodynamic pose, accelerates in the port and clears doubts in the third week. He is a spark in victory. The leader of the Vuelta thus punishes Enric Mas, the Spaniard who challenges him, who attacks and watches, who does not want to give up, but who does not let go. A beautiful duel in the heart of La Vera that ratifies the spirit of the new wave that dominates cycling. They don’t even leave scratches, they don’t forgive one. The diplomacy and wisdom of Induráin, who lived and let live, is a lesson from the past that does not square with this amazing and possessive generation.
Carlos Rodríguez makes a Roglic near Trujillo. Fall in a group that transports you to the pain and the inevitable experiences of cycling. A few hours later the image of him is terrifying. The jersey turned into a rag, the left arm bandaged in plaster mode, rosettes of blood on the back and a red blowout on the left leg. A frame for the 22-year-old from Granada, who clings to the handlebars and to his will to complete the stage and lose the shortest time, 1 min: 20 sec at the finish line.
The day is an odyssey due to the determination of the UAE and its director, Josean Matxín, who does not like to slow down, but rather speeds up. The Portuguese Almeida, sixth at six minutes, is launched to break the race, win the stage or turn around. Anything goes for the Emirates team.
A massive escape is formed, 41 cyclists, a third of the peloton, who are chased by the Portuguese. The trip through the high areas of Cáceres, in the foothills of Gredos, acquires the frenzy of the unpredictable because the group of the best remains in twenty and poisoned by the impulse of Astana, which defends the fifth position of ‘Supermán’ López.
Through the convoluted and narrow roads of Extremadura, an opportunity arises to isolate Evenepoel. His team goes with its tongue out, without assistants in moments of truth. But the train becomes bland, Astana pulls, but Movistar does not with many elements in the group and in the breakaway.
Movistar has other plans, as can be seen later. And they never coincide with extreme risk, those all-or-nothing starts. It is a team educated in the calm and patience of long-term planting. He who resists winsas the spirit of life.
Almeida does not make way, despite the help of Oliveira and Marc Soler. The stage has closed the tracks on that side and other issues remain in the air. The stage victory and the attitude of Enric Mas. Gesink and Carapaz respond to the first question with lungs, although not enough. To the second, Mas replies in his way.
The Mallorcan attacks several times, he tests the leader, he demands to go one step further. Evenepoel does not give in, the stretched out port is going great. Enric Mas, who is a regular cyclist and not an ax rider, is tempered in defeats: he picks up a can of water at that moment, looks back, asks for a relay. He is not a cyclist to stick his head in, grit his teeth and humiliate the enemy.
Ayuso and ‘Supermán’ are delayed a few meters, the grieving Carlos Rodríguez remains and starts off like a bison Evenepoel to proclaim his ambition, defeat Enric Mas and leave the staff cold.
Madrid is closer for him. «The Tour is not over, It is another victory that gives me and the team more confidence -says the leader-. Without Roglic it’s easier, it’s better to chase one than two. My goal is to win in Madrid, I don’t want to think about anything other than that.”
