"At the moment there’s a lot of joy and lots of emotions" - Remco Evenepoel and Quick-Step celebrate Vuelta a Espana win

Remco Evenepoel has won the 2022 Vuelta a Espana. A long journey for the Belgian rider and team, who celebrate their first Grand Tour win in what is a long history, one that has became richer due to the last three weeks' achievements.

“The emotions are still high. I worked hard for this, I made a lot of sacrifices and I’m happy it all paid off here in Spain," Evenepoel told the media after crossing the line safely in Madrid. "I’m proud to see the support of those at home, I’m thankful for that, as I am for the fantastic support I have continuously received the entire time from my team and my family. I’m happy to be part of this superb team and overwhelmed with what I achieved."

A win obtained on the base of consistency, great climbing performances and admirable psychological resistance, the Belgian supertalent has won his first full Grand Tour. In a team used to having some of the best sprinters and classics riders in the world, they now have in their hands one of the best stage-racers in the world, in Evenepoel who is just 22 years of age and with a long future ahead. He has given a speech in Madrid thanking his teammates, family and compatriots, and the team management was incredibly satisfied after a stressful period, with high rewards.

“At the moment there’s a lot of joy and lots of emotions, but I think it will be only next week when we’ll realise what we all achieved here," team DS Klaas Lodewyck said. "It means a lot, it’s a collective victory. Coming into the race we believed in ourselves and in our chances of getting a good result, but it was after the time trial – when Remco gained so much time on the others – that we began thinking it was possible to keep red and take it to Madrid. It wasn’t an easy race, for half of the time we had to control it with just five guys, but both Remco and the team showed a lot of character and adapted to all the different situations we encountered, and if there’s one thing that makes me super proud, it’s this.

This win also represents a time of change for Quick-Step, who have found the country's new Grand Tour star, in a rider who has already had so much success away from the three-week races, who is one of cycling's most exciting talents. “Many people weren’t born the last time Belgium had a Grand Tour winner, so it’s quite a special moment. Remco surprised everyone, including us, and showed what a phenomenal rider he is”, Patrick Lefevere himself said.

“I am happy he believed in us when he was 17 and we started our beautiful collaboration. It wasn’t easy for him, especially with that crash in Lombardia which took away maybe a year of his career, but he proved his fantastic character and came back stronger from that. It’s a great moment for him, for our team and for Belgium, one that people will remember forever, and I’m proud of Remco and this incredible team that gave everything and did a great race," he pointed out.