COMPETITION: Win a copy of “To Remember – How Remco won the Vuelta” | cycling

Christophe Vandegoor follows Evenepoel’s career from the juniors, commented on his first real professional victory in the Baloise Belgium Tour of 2019 and this season experienced his victories in Liège-Bastogne-Liège and the Tour of Spain from the front row .

That victory in the Vuelta in particular made a big impression: not only sportingly, but also the way Evenepoel had grown mentally, despite the fact that he is still only 22 years old.

“After more than 40 years, a Belgian won another Grand Tour,” says Vandegoor. “Thanks to Sporza I was able to experience this unique event up close. It was a tough assignment, but a nice one because the days afterwards that three-week journey did not let go of me.”

“That’s why I decided to write it down, even before he became world champion. As a kind of time document of a special year.”

“To never forget” is mainly about the Vuelta 2022 with detailed descriptions of all rides, but also with personal anecdotes and things that Vandegoor experienced along the way. Naturally, LBL, San Sebastian and the World Championships in Australia will also be covered.

Vandegoor cites another 3 moments from that Vuelta here that were special to him.

Read more below the photo.

The first mountain stage in the Vuelta was ridden in very severe weather conditions with heavy rain, fog and cold at the top of this col in
the north of Spain.

I was there several hours in advance, but in that desolate landscape, actually a cow pasture, there was nothing to be seen outside the stage and a few trucks from the Spanish TV.

In the end, those hours of waiting in the car were rewarded by the impressive finish of Evenepoel. In the first mountain stage he immediately grabbed the leader’s jersey and power.

I had positioned myself next to his regular caretakers and was able to experience the first, real emotions
filming up close. The panting, his rain-marked face,
the first smile: this moment gave a huge kick. His first leader’s jersey
a grand tour, in almost apocalyptic conditions!

Afterwards it took me blood, sweat and tears to get the interviews to Brussels on time. Two minutes before the start of Het Journaal on One, it worked. Completely soaked by the pouring rain, I rode back down the col and saluted the cows that had taken over the mountain again. Tired but extremely satisfied, as they say.

This was the only stage, the time trial, that Evenepoel had explored several times in advance. He had set his sights on this. Here he would try to sell the opposition a big blow.

Because that was the plan, floating on the good condition after San Sebastian: try to gain time in the first Vuelta week where possible and then strike in the time trial.

That day started well. In Elche I was just at the right moment at the starting podium when Evenepoel, in his Belgian champion jersey, left for the warm-up and reconnaissance. Because I was able to provide beautiful images for the Middagjournaal, the day could not go wrong professionally.

Remco had asked his parents and fiancée in advance to be sure to be present in Alicante. He was that confident. He pulverized the opposition and already took a big option on the overall victory. I interviewed father Evenepoel who gave me a lump in my throat.

While all the supporters cheered as if he had just become world champion, Patrick said: “We are especially happy that we still have our child. That is the most important thing, after that terrible fall in the Tour of Lombardy”.

The penultimate day of the Vuelta, the last mountain stage, the last chance for the competition to shake Evenepoel. Enric Mas and co did not succeed in this either.

The nervousness at the finish line was enormous: among the organization, the reporters, photographers and cameramen as well as the entire Lefevere team. A few moments later, Remco Evenepoel won the Vuelta and gave Belgium another Grand Tour victory after 44 years!

Evenepoel put his hands in front of his face, everyone gave him the necessary space while he sobbed very hard and let his emotions run wild. I got to interview him pretty quickly.

At this victory interview, in which I expected nothing but happiness, he accepted
his final answer to self-reflection. He said he in the past
had been selfish at times and now more than ever realized the value of the
people around him. I found that very powerful.