One day after a monumental collapse that separated Remco Evenepoel of any option in the Vuelta, The Belgian time trial world champion was proud to win alone in the fourteenth stage between Sauveterre-De-Béarn and Larra-Belagua, 156.2 km, a transition day for the men in the general classification, in which the American Sepp Kuss (Jumbo Visma)
From frustration to tears of joy. Barely 24 hours after the historic “bird” on the Tourmalet day, the revenge of the Belgian champion did not wait. He caused the breakout of the day, he crowned the day’s passes with Bardet, he dressed in the mountain leader’s shirt and proudly entered, inaugurating the summit of Larra-Belagua.
Remco imposed its class on the last climb. He defeated Bardet, his adventure partner, 4 km from the finish line, and raised his arms for the second time, as he also won in Arinsal. An outstanding task that alleviates the penalty of the winner of the 2022 Vuelta.
“I’ve had a difficult day, I haven’t slept much, I had negative thoughts. Today I went out to give it my all. He knew the stage because I came to see it, and he knew it was hard. It has been very nice to achieve this second stage in the Vuelta,” he said, excited, at the finish line.
A duel between two that Remco decided thanks to his class, intact despite the painful image in the Pyrenees. He raised his arms with authority, 1.11 minutes ahead of the French rival. No battle in the platoon. Evenepoel’s escape was perfect for the Jumbo to move from the toughest day in the mountains to a day of transition. The men in the general classification arrived hand in hand at 8:17 minutes.
Another day in red for Kuss, a leader who already thinks as such, and not as an eternal gregarious. The American is followed by his companions Primoz Roglic y Jonas Vingegaard to 1.37 and 1.44 respectively. Juan Ayuso remained at 2.37, Enric Mas at 3.06, Marc Soler at 3.10 and Mikel Landa at 4.12.
Remco’s pride, a wounded champion
After the storm of the Tourmalet stage, another day with a queen’s label due to the hardness of the route. Between two small towns like Sauveterre De Béarn and Belagua a Pyrenean crossing with 4 major portsan ideal litmus test to ratify hierarchies or rectify disappointments.
Jumbo Visma went out to save his general treasure, and others, like Evenepoel, to “start another way of running” after the “pájara” that eliminated him from the Vuelta. A wounded champion, eager for revenge, who took matters into his own hands early with an offensive and ambitious attitude.
Remco got into an initial escape of 24 men on the way to the Col Hourcére (Special), a climb of 11.1 km at 8.7 with 14 ramps filled with quality cyclists, such as Castroviejo, Storer, Kamna, Bardet. Among all, Evenepoel and Bardet stood out, who took the lead with the group of Jumbo, Ayuso and Mas at 1.30 minutes.
Remco took the lead with the Frenchman on the wheel, and was 1 point behind the mountain jersey that Vingegaard won in the Tourmalet. The platoon passed at 3.50 minutes, without signs of alarm. The same duo climbed the most demanding climb of the day, Larrau, a 15 km special category wall at 8 and 16 ramps that marks the border between Spain and France. Through these scenarios, Miguel Indurain knew what it was like to climb without options. In that ’96 Tour the Navarrese myth did not suffer, among other things because he had already lost the Tour and it was not a question of giving up his life on the climb.
This time Remco and Bardet were in search and capture, and with many options to win the stage. A therapeutic treat for both. They passed the summit with 2 minutes over Storer and 4 over the men in the general standings. The Belgian already had the blue polka dot jersey.
Evenepoel, tears of joy; general truce
The climb to the unprecedented summit of Belagua (1st, 9.5 km at 6.3%) began in Isaba, in the Roncal valley, a treat for the eyes, where, oblivious to the landscape, Evenepoel and Bardet began to climb. A chess game to decide the first conqueror of the unprecedented Navarrese goal.
Evenepoel showed his face, from the beginning of the stage, during, and at the end. She could not miss the opportunity to alleviate the deep wound of the Tourmalet, one of those days that are not forgotten. Climbing at a lively, demanding pace, the Belgian finished with Bardet 4 from the finish line. the triumphant path remained.
Walk for reflection, time to enjoy imminent success. The lion of Aalts, 23 years old, double winner of the Liege Bastogne, already with 4 stages in the Vuelta and 2 in the Giro, is not one of those who give up. A champion may bend his knee, but the next day he gets up. Remco taught a lesson. With no options in the general classification, he was relieved with a special victory at the unprecedented Navarrese summit.
This Sunday the fifteenth stage takes place between Pamplona and Lekunberri, of 158.3 km. After the mountain, a relative day with three passes, Lizarraga (3rd, 19.3 to 2.6) and a double pass through Zuarrate (2nd, 7.3 to 4.8), the last summit 8 from the finish line.
2023-09-09 19:48:15
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