Two stages, two jerseys and runner-up in the GC for the Belgian at his debut in the race.
Remco Evenepoel became the first reigning World Champion to win multiple stages at the Volta a Catalunya, finishing the week in style with a victory on the streets of Barcelona, which he added to the one he scored atop of La Molina. It was the Belgian’s 40th pro victory, and his third since conquering the rainbow jersey in Australia, last September.
Sunday afternoon brought another scintillating battle between the rainbow jersey and Primoz Roglic (Jumbo-Visma), the former making his move with 28 kilometers to go, after Soudal Quick-Step softened up the peloton. On the Montjuic, Remco put down a searing attack, similar to the one he produced at last year’s Liège–Bastogne–Liège, and the Slovenian was the only one who could respond. On the descent, the duo was joined by Marc Soler (UAE Team Emirates), but just for a brief moment, as another attack on the penultimate climb dispatched the Spaniard.
The two continued to extend their lead over the peloton, at one point one minute separating them from the chasing group, and with ten kilometers to go it became clear that for the fifth time this week they would be involved in the fight for victory. Going under the flamme rouge, Evenepoel was ideally positioned in his opponent’s wheel, from where he came out 150 meters from the line with a powerful sprint that netted the team’s 18th victory of the season.
“I am very happy! I came here with the goal of taking a stage win and finishing on the overall podium, and I did much more than that. On top of everything, I had an incredible team by my side, the strongest in the whole race, and this makes me very proud”, said 23-year-old Remco, who also took home the KOM and youth jerseys. “I knew it was going to be very hard against one of the best riders in the world, but I tried my best, kept attacking on the Montjuic, and came close to winning the general classification, so the signs are good.”
Photo credit: ©David Ramos / Getty Images
