“A pretty smart move” – Remco Evenepoel shrugs off UAE crosswind test to seal first Yellow Jersey of Red Bull career in Valencia
Cycling
Remco Evenepoel closed out the Volta a Comunitat Valenciana with control rather than drama, calmly neutralising a late tactical probe from UAE Team Emirates - XRG to secure overall victory and the first stage race Yellow Jersey of his Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe career.
The final stage into Valencia had long been marked as a potential danger zone rather than an opportunity. Short, fast, and exposed to wind, it offered limited terrain for time gaps but plenty of scope for positional stress. For a brief moment, that threat became real when a large breakaway formed and the peloton hesitated.
“I think the only moment of doubt was when the big group went up the road, because at first you never really know the names in the breakaway,” Evenepoel explained after the finish to Cycling Pro Net. “So we were pacing and checking who was in front. Then we decided to let the gap go to around one minute forty or one minute fifty, and after that everything was under control.”
Red Bull had a rider represented in the move, removing any urgency to chase, and the team’s measured response ensured the situation never escalated into a genuine GC threat.
UAE test control in the crosswinds
As the race moved into the final kilometres, UAE attempted to inject tension with a crosswind acceleration, briefly stretching the peloton and forcing teams to react.
“UAE did try to split the bunch with some crosswinds, which was a pretty smart move, I have to say,” Evenepoel said. “But we were always well positioned at the front, and we never really lost control of the race.”
That moment, small in time but significant in context, underlined the broader meaning of the day. Even without Tadej Pogacar on the start line, UAE’s willingness to test Red Bull’s grip was noted, and Evenepoel’s calm response reflected a rider comfortable in race leadership.
The Belgian repeatedly credited his team’s collective execution, adding that “the boys did a very strong job again today,” as the race settled into a controlled run to the finish.
Building momentum without overreaching
With two stage wins and overall victory secured in Valencia, questions naturally turned to timing and form. Evenepoel has now enjoyed two highly successful weeks at the start of the season, but he was keen to stress balance rather than momentum.
“I hope not,” he said when asked whether this level might come too early. “You never really know, of course, but I think we’ve found a good balance between focusing and recovering as well.”
Looking ahead, Evenepoel confirmed his next stop will be the UAE Tour, a race he expects to be defined more by wind and positioning than sustained climbing, before selective GC days come into play.
“The race there can be quite easy with bunch sprints depending on the wind, and then there are a few days where I’ll need to be ready for the general classification,” he said. “So overall it’s not the hardest week.”
For now, the significance lies in how Valencia ended. No panic, no reactionary chasing, and no cracks under pressure. When tested by UAE, Evenepoel and Red Bull responded with composure, closing out a week that delivered not just results, but a statement of control.
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Kieran WoodDeputy Editor-in-Chief
Kieran Wood is a sports journalist based in Wales and has been active in journalism since 2022. He regularly contributes to DartsNews.com and CyclingUpToDate.com, where he covers professional cycling and darts. In cycling, his work includes liveblogs from major races, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, alongside race reports and analysis. He has also conducted interviews with professional riders.
His reporting spans the full racing calendar, from one-day classics to stage races, with a focus on accurate, real-time coverage and clear contextual analysis. For statistics, results, and historical context, he regularly uses resources such as ProCyclingStats. To support reporting on rider activity and training context where relevant, he also references Strava.
In his work, Kieran places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles as new, verified information becomes available.
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