"Evenepoel rode a super good time trial for the Vuelta and for the classification" - Jose De Cauwer praises Remco Evenepoel despite missing out on ITT stage win

Finishing second on the stage 10 individual time-trial at the 2023 Vuelta a Espana, Remco Evenepoel was unable to take the stage win or the Red Jersey. Nevertheless, Jose De Cauwer praises the Belgian and is confident in his chances heading into the remainder of the race.

"He certainly rode a good time trial and as he said himself: he had to give a lot in recent days. Filippo Ganna was able to prepare in a different way. Evenepoel did not hide behind that, but he mentioned it anyway. in his response. He may find an explanation in that," says De Cauwer as part of Sporza's coverage of the race. "We saw a very eager Ganna who was able to overtake 4 riders. Evenepoel was not stunning, as he said himself. It was not his best day. But perhaps he should put everything together and conclude that it was not a single time trial like a championship."

Evenepoel's gap to race leader Sepp Kuss was slashed to just 1:09 but a solid ride from the American ensured that he still maintains a somewhat comfortable grip on the Red Jersey. "Evenepoel rode a super good time trial for the Vuelta and for the classification. I can imagine that he is a bit disappointed for the day's victory," says De Cauwer. "We should not look for the reason why Evenepoel lost and why Ganna won. The result is the result."

"If Jonas Vingegaard falls faster in the rankings than Kuss, the American can be played as 2nd man," De Cauwer concludes, guessing Jumbo-Visma's tactics for the remainder of the race. "For the time being, I still think that he is the first man they count on when they have to put something right. But for the same money, one of them goes into a break and then Soudal - Quick Step has to check again."