Remco Evenepoel drops out of the top 10 overall, but shows a lot of determination on the race’s queen stage.
World Champion Julian Alaphilippe showcased again his rainbow jersey and panache by going on the attack early on in the penultimate stage together with teammate Mikkel Honoré, the two Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl riders being an active presence in the nine-man breakaway that jumped away on a small unclassified hill after another fast and furious start.
At one point during the stage, they had a five-minute maximum advantage, but with many of the GC teams having an interest in the stage victory, their gap melted in the second part of the course and they were pegged back, one by one, on the first ascent of the Carpegna (6km, 10%). Despite the impressive effort produced at the front, Alaphilippe still had enough left to pace Remco Evenepoel, who had previously lost contact with the bunch midway up the climb, helping him also in the valley and all the way until the bottom of the final ascent.
Even though he found himself out of the GC fight, Remco didn’t concede, but instead continued to grit his teeth and show the same formidable never-say-die attitude that he had put on display in the face of adversity several times since turning pro. In the end, Evenepoel concluded this hard day a couple of minutes after stage winner Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates), a result which will see him start the final day of Tirreno-Adriatico in 11th place.
Photo credit: ©Tim De Waele / Getty Images
