“I gave everything for Julian!" - Remco Evenepoel turns super domestique but Alaphilippe denied Tour of Britain stage win by Stephen Williams

Returning to racing for the first time since the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, Remco Evenepoel offered up a super leadout as teammate Paul Magnier took the win on stage 1 of the Tour of Britain. On stage 2, Evenepoel again was in domestique mode, this time for Julian Alaphilippe. Sadly for the Soudal - Quick-Step team however, a second stage win was not on the cards.

Although clearly not quite at his best level, Evenepoel was working incredibly hard in the service of his teammates and heading into the finale, was marking moves. When Stephen Williams and Oscar Onley rode clear on the final climb of the day, Alaphilippe latched onto the wheels. Whilst Evenepoel was then left in the chase group, his French teammate contested for the stage win, but ultimately came up just short to Williams at the line.

“I really suffered,” Evenepoel admittedly honestly afterwards, in conversation with VTM Nieuws after the finish of stage 2. “I gave everything for Julian. We just missed out on a second stage win, but I do have a 'ça va' feeling about this stage. Even though I saw stars, everything is in function. It is good that I can also race this way. And in the end, I did participate in the final. That is not bad to not be in shape yet.”