Remco Evenepoel cruises to Vuelta a España victory in final stage

11.09.2022 - 22:57 theguardian.com

Remco Evenepoel has claimed the Vuelta a España title for his first Grand Tour triumph, capping a dominant three weeks with one last push on the final stage from Las Rozas to Madrid that was won by Juan Sebastián Molano in a thrilling sprint finale.

The 22-year-old Belgian had all but confirmed victory after holding off his nearest rival Enric Mas on stage 20 and he finished the job with ease as he rolled into the Spanish capital flanked by his Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl teammates.

Mas of Movistar settled for second place overall while UAE Team Emirates’ Juan Ayuso completed the podium. After his win at the Clásica de San Sebastián earlier this year, Evenepoel’s Vuelta victory completes a turnaround for a rider who abandoned the 2021 Giro and failed to medal at the Tokyo Olympics.

He is the first Belgian winner of a Grand Tour since Johan De Muynck at the 1978 Giro d’ Italia and the youngest Vuelta champion since Angelino Soler in 1961.

mountaineering sprint victory Enric Mas Juan Ayuso Mads Pedersen Primoz Roglic Belgium Spain Uae Madrid Tokyo

What, no Wout? The Wollongong World Championships time trial takes place with one notable absentee from the startsheet. Belgian superstar Van Aert is still heading Down Under but, after a long hard season, has decided to put all of his eggs in the road race basket.

Blazin’ Saddles: 10 talking points from La Vuelta 2022 as Remco Evenepoel comes of age

Evenepoel sets sights on Tour and Giro In red from Stage 6 onwards, Remco Evenepoel’s only real threat came from himself in the form of that freak crash on the final descent in Stage 12. When he was dropped on the climbs, the Belgian showed maturity beyond his 22 years and stuck to his own tempo – limiting his losses on La Pandera and then all but securing the overall win a day later in Sierra Nevada. Ad On top of that, he demonstrated supreme time trialling prowess to win a maiden Grand Tour stage in Alicante, and then ruthlessness to win in red by denying Robert Gesink on the Alto del Piornal.

Remco Evenepoel claims first Grand Tour victory with Vuelta a Espana

Belgian Remco Evenepoel claimed the Vuelta a Espana title on Sunday for his first Grand Tour triumph, capping a dominant three weeks with one last push on the final stage from Las Rozas to Madrid that was won by Juan Sebastian Molano.

Remco Evenepoel wins La Vuelta as Juan Sebastian Molano springs surprise on final stage in Madrid

Remco Evenepoel (Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl) cruised through Sunday’s procession into Madrid to confirm his maiden Grand Tour title at La Vuelta, with UAE Team Emirates lead-out man Juan Sebastian Molano unusually winning the bunch sprint on Stage 21. The Belgian was all but guaranteed to keep the red jersey after surviving the final mountains test on Saturday’s penultimate stage, with the 22-year-old enjoying some celebratory photos with his Quick-Step team-mates on the slow run to the Spanish capital.

Remco Evenepoel set to win La Vuelta as Richard Carapaz lands treble on Stage 20

Remco Evenepoel (Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl) is poised to win La Vuelta after easing through the final day in the mountains, while Richard Carapaz (Ineos Grenadiers) capped his redemptive Grand Tour with a third stage victory on Stage 20. Barring a spectacular unravelling on Sunday’s final stage, a processional pan-flat ride to Madrid, Evenepoel will win a maiden Grand Tour. Closest rival Enric Mas (Movistar) was unable to force an opportunity to attack on Stage 20, and ultimately resigned himself to another second spot on the podium.