The Helta Skelta Vuelta once again lived up to its reputation today.
The first two stages were marked by crashes caused by torrential rain. Today on the summit finish in Andorra, it was a poorly planned finish that forced Remco Evenpoel into a wall of photographers and soigneurs just past the finish. It was, as NBC Peacock commentator Bob Roll said, “inexcusable.”
Evenpoel jumped near the top of the summit, quickly opening a gap over Tour de France winner Jonas Vingegaard (Jumbo-Visma) and Juan Ayuso (UAE Team Emirates). He took the victory, pounding his chest and shaking in first in triumph.
The things quickly went down hill. Evenepoel, still carrying plenty of sprint speed, suddenly ran out of open space. He plowed into a female soigneur, knocking her off her feet as he hit the deck. The right side of his face was covered in streams of blood where his sunglasses had ripped open a wound. His fell on hard on his right side, near the edge of a metal barrier.
Evenepoel has already been frustrated with the lack of safety precautions and today in his immediate post stage comments, he reiterated his unhappiness in no uncertain terms. “Again, some things of safety. It was only 50 metres after the finish line, and it’s the third day in a row,” he said. “And it’s a bit breaking my balls now.”
He was lucky he didn’t break anything else. He can also count himself incredibly lucky to have escaped without a race-ending injury. The Vuelta continues to imitate the Giro d’Italia, a grand tour that has often made spectacle a priority over rider safety.
At least the race went well up until after the finish line. When the break was caught, Remco was ready to make his move. “I felt super good on the final climb. I think I had a big punch left in my legs,” said Evenepoel. “Super happy with the victory.”
Evenepoel now has a much fuller wardrobe for Spain. He took the climbers jersey, best young rider jersey and the red jersey of race leader. Perhaps he should ask for a jersey with extra padding, given the dangers of this Vuelta.
Former Lance Armstrong DS Johan Bruynell, no fan of the UCI, brought the hammer down hard. “Today’s start of @lavuelta has shown us once again what organizers and UCI are interested in: ‘Panem et Circenses.’ ” Now let’s have everyone complain a bit, and then like a flock of obedient sheep go on to the next ridiculous obstacle on the road.” Ouch, says the Vuelta!
Jumbo-Visma fared well with Jonas Vingegaard sticking close to Remco until the final few hundred meters. Teammate Primoz Rogic, perhaps still recovering a bit from his crash the other day, finished in fourth. Enric Mas is clearly off to a good start as is Aleksandr Vlasov.
Remco was able to see the humorous side of things. “I’ve lost some flesh and meat from my head but that’s good for the uphills.” Well, let’s hope that nobody has their cojones cracked on tomorrow’s Vuelta stage.
GC standings
1 Remco Evenepoel (Bel) Soudal-QuickStep 8:43:11
2 Enric Mas (Spa) Movistar 0:00:05
3 Lenny Martinez (Fra) Groupama-FDJ 0:00:11
4 Jonas Vingegaard (Den) Jumbo-Visma 0:00:31
5 Aleksandr Vlasov Bora-Hansgrohe 0:00:33
6 Cian Uijtdebroeks (Bel) Bora-Hansgrohe
7 Romain Bardet (Fra) DSM 0:00:35
8 Santiago Buitrago (Col) Bahrain Victorious
9 Wilco Kelderman (Ned) Jumbo-Visma 00:00:37
10 Primoz Roglic (Slo) Jumbo-Visma
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