"Evenepoel just said 'sorry'" - Pieter Serry gives update after his team leader cracks out of Vuelta contention

Remco Evenepoel's reign as Vuelta a Espana champion is all but officially over after the Belgian completely cracked on stage 13, losing over twenty-seven minutes by the time he crossed the line.

Evenepoel shock dropping on the first climb of the day set the tone for what was a disastrous stage for the Soudal - Quick-Step man. There was clearly something not quite right with the Belgian as he barely offered up any fight. After the stage, he understandably didn't want to talk to any reporters, instead heading quickly away towards the team hotel.

One man who did say a quick word was Evenepoel's Soudal - Quick-Step teammate, Pieter Serry. "A bad day on a stage like that is difficult," he lamented. "We fought, but if it doesn't work, it doesn't work. He just said 'sorry.'"

"What's he supposed to say? There is no shame," Serry concludes. "We tried our best. Just because it doesn't work now doesn't mean it won't work in the future. We are trying to turn the switch and go for stage wins."