Another day of incredible teamwork and a great feeling to go into the rest day! 🐺🔴 A special mention for @Pieter_Serry, wishing you a good recovery mate! 💙 Looking forward to the TT on Tuesday! 🙌🏼🔥 #TheWolfpack
Remco Evenepoel was able to defend the red jersey in the ninth stage of Vuelta a Espana, and Ilan Van Wilder played a crucial role in it. He finished in 54th place, 8 minutes and 30 seconds behind stage winner Louis Meintjes.
"The start was again very difficult for us," Van Wilder told WielerFlits. He continues, "Everyone wanted to attack us, and we were put under pressure for a while. We handled that well and kept control for the rest of the day.”
Van Wilder also revealed he will not prioritize the ITT stage on Tuesday since he wants to preserve energy to help Remco in future stages. "In consultation with the team. The team has nothing to gain if I become tenth or fifteenth and ride myself completely over the head. I am quite important for Remco, and that is why I decided to take a day off. There will be plenty of time trials for me this year or next,” concluded Van Wilder. He is currently in the 48th position in GC, 36 minutes and 29 seconds behind overall leader Remco Evenepoel.
Another day of incredible teamwork and a great feeling to go into the rest day! 🐺🔴 A special mention for @Pieter_Serry, wishing you a good recovery mate! 💙 Looking forward to the TT on Tuesday! 🙌🏼🔥 #TheWolfpack