The Massif Central, and stage 11 of the Tour de France, is not significantly near Belgium. It is not a bus or bike experience away, however 700km between the 2.
Regardless of this, it was the Belgian followers who had been out in power within the ski station in central France which briefly paid host to among the greatest bike riders on the earth.
Even 100m away from the rostrum, it was clear which rider the followers favoured, with chants of “Remco! Remco! Remco!” audible over the by no means unexciting Tour de France presentation music.
And, though their favorite, Remco Evenepoel (Soudal Fast-Step), misplaced time on Wednesday, he did so in a managed method, with out catastrophe, one which prompt he’s coming of age as a basic classification rider.
When Tadej Pogačar (UAE Staff Emirates) attacked on the Puy Mary Pas de Peyrol, solely Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) might comply with, with Evenepoel and Primož Roglič (Pink Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) instantly on the again foot. Nonetheless, the pair restricted their losses, combining collectively properly on the following climb, the Col de Pertus.
Vingegaard might need gained the stage, however Evenepoel was solely 25 seconds behind, and with bonus seconds added, now trails Pogačar, within the race lead, by 1:06. It’s removed from sport over for the previous world champion.
“In case you see how Jonas and Tadej are driving, they’re in one other league, so I am happy with my efficiency,” the Belgian, nonetheless within the white jersey, stated post-stage. “Perhaps I did not have my greatest legs at this time… I used to be on the restrict, I needed to do my very own battle. I put in a hell of a efficiency, I saved pushing, I saved believing that we might keep fairly shut. It is fairly a constructive outcome for me.
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“I felt on the second that Tadej attacked that he was going full gasoline, and I knew if I attempted to comply with I’d not be capable to keep that near them within the remaining outcomes, so I made a decision to do my very own rhythm, and it was an excellent determination.”
The theme of the Vingegaard and Pogačar being higher riders is one thing Evenepoel has referenced earlier than, and whereas he sits in second general, it seems like he’s already getting ready to slide again. Nonetheless, that is clearly not seen as a catastrophe, however the plan.
“Tadej’s assault was very brutal, he went from fairly far-off, and should you see that the one rider who might go throughout was Jonas, then we all know who the 2 greatest riders within the race are,” he stated.
“It is primarily me and Primož who’re battling for third spot. We’re doing properly, we have to deal with the rostrum.”
It is an enchancment for a rider, who, whereas a former Vuelta a España champion, has at instances appeared overeager to comply with assaults whereas driving at stage races. He’s maturing into the GC rider Belgium hoped he can be, even when he sits behind Pogačar and Vingegaard within the present pantheon of greats. He already appears higher than the rider on the Critérium du Dauphiné final month who shipped time to Roglič on climbs.
“We got here right here for prime 5, and we’re getting nearer and nearer,” Tom Steels, sports activities director for Soudal Fast-Step, stated. “Now it is extra concerning the restoration, we will not have a very unhealthy day, and to compete with the blokes we wish to compete with.
“He has extra of the mentality of a GC rider, which implies you do not have to be someday good and someday unhealthy, you need to keep throughout the restrict of 95-100% of the trouble, so you are able to do it the day after. That is what it’s about. He has an excellent thoughts. As a TT rider, he is aware of completely the place his limits are. He can experience simply to the restrict, after which he is aware of the place to again off.
“He’s serene, he’s very calm. He is within the sport, and step-by-step he is getting extra into it.”
The following hazard for Evenepoel lies within the Pyrenees, with phases 14 and 15 severely troublesome days to cope with. This would be the true testing floor of Evenepoel the Tour de France racer.
“Each are very troublesome,” Steels added. “A climb is a climb, legs are legs, and there is not one which is a straightforward one or a foul one. You comply with or you do not comply with.”
