Belgian Remco Evenepoel (Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl) is the new leader of the Volta ao Algarve, after winning the 32,2 km time trial between Vila Real de Santo António and Tavira.
This triumph by Evenepoel, who was the winner of the Algarve in 2020, puts him in a good position for tomorrow, in the last stage, to repeat the victory and become the new winner of the competition.
Evenepoel was far superior to the other riders during the 32,2 kilometer time trial. He beat all his rivals' records in the first and second intermediate points, having cycled at an average of 51,089 km/h to stop the timer at 37:49.
At the finish line, the distance with his opponents was enormous. The Swiss Stefan Kung (Groupama-FDJ), who was the runner-up, stopped the clock in 38:47, that is, with almost 1 minute of difference, while the British Ethan Hayter (INEOS Grenadiers) was 3rd, 1:06 behind the Belgian cyclist.
Commenting on his performance, at the end of the race, Evenepoel said: «I'm super, super happy. From the beginning of the week I knew that this was the most important day for me. I tried to protect myself as much as possible for today and I think I had perfect preparation thinking about the time trial. We did a good reconnaissance of the time trial. The wind was strong, it was a little dangerous going down and I didn't risk anything on the way down. I'm glad I survived without any problems. On the flat and on the climb, I gave everything, without hesitation, at full throttle».
“I think today was my best time trial ever. I didn't expect to win by such a big difference. Stefan Küng is one of the best time trials in the world», confessed the man of the day.
Overall, the Belgian rider is now 1.06 minutes ahead of Hayter and 1.25 over American Brandon McNulty (UAE Emirates).
O Frenchman David Gaudu (Groupama-FDJ), pure climber, with little physical wingspan, defended himself very well, but his characteristics didn't allow him better than the ninth place in the stage, yielding 2m09s and the Yellow Jersey Tourism of the Algarve to Remco Evenepoel.
Rafael Reis (Glassdrive-Q8-Anicolor), who spent a good part of the afternoon in the chair for the best time holder, was quoted as the best Portuguese, in 23rd position, 3m26s from the winner of the stage.
INEOS Grenadiers, still with Daniel Martínez and Dylan van Baarle in the top 10, will be the biggest threat to Evenepoel's ambition to repeat the 2020 triumph in the Volta ao Algarve.
“We'll probably just have to control the race. We can expect a very difficult stage at the beginning. It's going to be chaotic, a big struggle to put us under pressure. I have 100% confidence in my teammates, especially Louis [Vervaeke], the last one who stays with me, we will also try to win the stage.”, said Remco Evenepoel.
But there will be plenty of ground to try to change the classification, this Sunday, in the fifth stage. It will be a 173 kilometer link between Lagoa and Alto do Malhão, Loulé. The goal coincides with a second-rate mountain count. But Malhão will still be climbed 24 kilometers from the end, preceded by the climbs of Picota (km 43,6), Vermelhos (106,2) and Alte (135,5).
Remco Evenepoel is joined by the IPDJ White Jersey, for the best youngster, to the Yellow Jersey Tourism of the Algarve. Fabio Jakobsen (Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl Team) wears the Credo Agrícola Green Jersey, from the points, and João Matias (Tavfer-Mortágua-Ovos Matinados) will have a busy Sunday, defending the Blue Lusíadas Jersey, from the mountain. INEOS Grenadiers commands by teams.
Vicente García de Mateos (Aviludo-Louletano-Loulé Concelho) leaves for the last day as the best element of the Portuguese teams. He is 21st, 5m39s from the yellow jersey. The best national cyclist is Ricardo Vilela (W52-FC Porto), 30th, at 8m05s.
Photos: Nelson Ignatius | Sul Informação and João Fonseca
Comments