The Belgian Champion finished runner-up Thursday afternoon, at the Volta ao Algarve.
Alto da Foia – Algarve’s highest point and the place where a statue inspired by Remco Evenepoel’s spectacular 2020 victory was erected – returned at the Portuguese race. The riders climbed it from the same side as four years ago, but the scenario was completely different this time around, the headwind forcing the GC contenders to keep their powder dry and rely instead on just one powerful surge in the last 200 meters.
Before the yellow jersey favourites were left to battle for the win, Soudal Quick-Step did a tremendous work the entire stage, controlling things from one end to the other and bringing back all nine members of the breakaway. At the start of the last ascent, Remco had with him three men – Mattia Cattaneo, James Knox and Mikel Landa – whose immense effort helped thin out the peloton, leaving only a handful of riders in the group as they rode under the flamme rouge.
The Belgian Champion made his move before the last corner, but coming out of his wheel, Dani Martinez (Bora-hansgrohe) took the win on the line, while Evenepoel had to settle for second. The result brought him some precious bonifications, which put the 24-year-old in a good position ahead of Saturday’s individual time trial.
“I want to surprise the others and I went a bit early, which in the end was a mistake. The wind changed direction from what we knew at the start of the day and that surprised us a bit. On the other hand, I didn’t lose any time on the road, which was important. The team did a great job, and I would have wanted the victory for them, but you can’t always get what you want. I am proud of my teammates and of how we controlled the stage by ourselves, and in the end, I think it’s a good result”, Remco explained after his seventh top-three finish at the Volta ao Algarve.
Photo credit: ©Dario Belingheri / Getty Images
