"I chose my own pace" - Remco Evenepoel doesn't risk Tour de France trying to match Pogacar and Vingegaard battle

Remco Evenepoel has kept his second place at the Tour de France despite an emergence from Jonas Vingegaard on a day that saw more damage in the overall classification than what most expected. The Belgian put on another controlled ride to finish third on the day and increase his advantage to many of his rivals.

Soudal - Quick-Step does not have to work, and Evenepoel only focused on climbing as fast as possible to the summit of Puy Mary once Pogacar attacked with 31 kilometers to go. "It wasn't even a question of trying to follow Pogacar. Tadej's attack was very aggressive," Evenepoel said in words to Sporza. "At that moment there was also a strong lead from Yates. It wasn't even a question of trying, I chose my own pace." His own pace was enough to create a small gap over the riders behind at the summit of the climb, and on the Col de Perthus to catch Primoz Roglic. 

"I then came back to Primoz, who completely exploded. We tried to come back, but we just didn't succeed." Still a 25-second loss at the finish line meant that the Belgian was able to cut half of the gap that the duo had behind Pogacar and Evenepoel at the summit of Perthus. Evenepoel succeeded in defending his second place.

"I thought I was doing quite well on the descents, but those other guys were really going faster. It was just a good stage today. Maybe I didn't have the best feeling, then I would have tried to react to the attack, but it was just fine. I took time on quite a few men again," he continued.

Evenepoel paced himself to the finish, having heard Primoz Roglic crash behind him on the final descent. "Roglic also fell, but in the end it was a good ride." However, the Slovenian was given the same time due to the rules that applied on the day. "Those are rules and that's part of it. No problem. His turns were just not heartfelt".