Going into the weekend, the Belgian is still in contention for finishing on the podium.
Remco Evenepoel overcame one of the hardest stages of this year’s Tour de France, the short but gruelling stage 13 that started from Loudenvielle and finished atop Peyragudes. It was the first mountain individual time trial in more than two decades at the race, and the World ITT Champion once again gave his best on the brutal slopes of the Pyrenean ascent.
One of the last riders to roll down the ramp, Evenepoel had a good start and set the fastest provisional time at the first checkpoint, just before taking on the demanding slopes of this ascent which returned for the second year in a row at the Tour. Soudal Quick-Step’s leader gave his best there and concluded the stage, won by yellow jersey Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates), in a time of 25:39.
This helped Remco retain his third place on the overall podium of the competition ahead of another tough day, peppered with four classified climbs, which will finish in Superbagnères. At the same time, the Belgian kept the race’s white jersey – rewarding the best young rider – now on his shoulders for an impressive 26th time in the last two years.
“I had a good start, but after a few minutes on the climb I couldn’t produce the power needed there. I just didn’t have the legs I wanted and felt empty out there. I don’t know what’s the explanation for this. Thursday wasn’t a good day for me and today was even worse, despite managing to cling onto the overall podium. It was a poor ride, but I hope things will be different on Saturday as I continue to remain confident”, Remco explained after the stage.
Photo credit: ©Tim De Waele / Getty Images
