"I also get along well with Jonas Vingegaard" - Remco Evenepoel insists Tour de France drama was overblown after "lack of balls" comment

So far, Remco Evenepoel has passed almost every test on his Tour de France debut. Two weeks and 15 stages down, the Soudal - Quick-Step leader reaches the second rest day sitting third overall and with a comfortable 5:45 lead over his nearest challengers for the final podium position.

"Last week the Pyrenees were coming, such a first mountain weekend is decisive. At the moment I am in a good position for that third place, so I would be lying if I said that I am not going to defend it," says the Belgian, who entered his Tour de France debut very vocal about his targeting of a top-5 in the general classification, in his rest day press conference.

Whilst there have been blows for Evenepoel in the second week, such as the recent abandonment of key mountain domestique Louis Vervaeke, the Soudal - Quick-Step leader and his right hand man, Mikel Landa looked the best of the rest in Pyrenees behind Tadej Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard and as such, the duo sit 3rd and 5th in the general classification heading into the final week of racing.

"Louis had Covid with us, like me last year and several others have dropped out of the race. Our staff tests daily and everyone is negative for the time being. We also isolated Louis as quickly as possible. At the finish, the men also wear a face mask, because that is where the largest crowd is," Evenepoel says of Vervaeke's departure through illness.

The post-stage interviews of Evenepoel have also been a big talking point, with the Belgian questioning Jonas Vingegaard's lack of balls. According to the time-trial world champion however, the whole drama has been overblown. "I also get along well with Vingegaard," he insists. "Maybe I'm even a little bit more of a contemporary of Pogacar but they're nice guys to talk to during the stage."

With a podium place likely secured, does Evenepoel go on the attack to try and move up in the final week, or will he be content with 3rd place, especially knowing that stage 21 this year is an individual time-trial? "I know almost the entire last week. I've done several stages 2 or 3 times and that gives a certain peace. We know what to expect and I call very motivated. I'm also looking forward to the time trial. That's not really a time trial in my opinion, more of a mountain stage," he assesses. "If I can win another stage I will definitely try, but if I don't succeed I will also be very happy with a podium finish in Nice."