The descent off the Col du Galibier uncovered Remco Evenepoel’s Achilles heel on the Tour de France, however the Belgian confirmed his preventing spirit by closing the hole to the chase group behind an untouchable Tadej Pogačar after which profitable the dash for second place on stage 4.
“It’s all the time good if you end second behind the perfect rider on this planet,” Evenepoel mentioned after once more pulling on the white finest younger rider’s jersey in Valloire.
“Tadej’s assault at 2,600 metres was very robust. I attempted to stick with him however that was nonetheless a bit an excessive amount of above my stage. If you attain the end alone, you’re the better of the day, however that is nice for my confidence.”
If Jonas Vingegaard ultimately cracks or falters whereas attempting to race towards Pogačar, then Evenepoel might emerge his largest rivals.
The Belgian took eight bonus seconds for ending second and an extra two seconds on the summit of the Galibier to maneuver previous Vingegaard into second total, 45 seconds down on Pogačar. Evenepoel undoubtedly seems to be a podium contender early within the race and he will certainly achieve time on his rivals in Friday’s 25.3km time trial.
“A prime 5 end stays the plan however the nearer we get to the rostrum, the extra we have now to go for it. I’m chasing a stage win after which we are able to have a look at the classification,” Evenepoel mentioned.
Evenepoel had Mikel Landa with him for a lot of the Galibier, and Soudal-Quick Step seem to have stepped up as Grand Tour workforce. He regarded composed and in management on the climb of the Galibier and the most important drawback seems to be descending.
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“I attempted to go as quick as doable within the ultimate a part of the Galibier as a result of I knew there have been bonuses on the prime. Then I went down full pace, however that icy water was a bit scary,” he admitted.
Evenepoel was referring to a number of factors in the course of the first a part of the descent when melted snow sparked working water throughout the street. Even Pogačar was cautious there however Evenepoel was particularly so.
He began the descent in third place however was handed by Carlos Rodriguez (Ineos Grenadiers), Primož Roglič (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe), Juan Ayuso (UAE Team Emirates). He even misplaced their wheels and needed to battle to get again on in the course of the ultimate a part of the 18km descent.
“It was quick, technical and a bit scary. The asphalt jogged my memory of the Basque Country, a bumpy street floor. I did not really feel 100% comfy,” he admitted, referring to the horrible crash on the Itzulia Basque Country race that noticed him, Vingegaard, Roglič and others crash at pace.
“I slipped a number of occasions and that is not nice for confidence. I made some errors and a few guys had been capable of come again,” he mentioned. “Hopefully it will not go downhill from right here, I can really feel myself getting higher. Now I’m already specializing in Friday’s time trial.”
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