"I told Mikel Landa that he could go" - Remco Evenepoel struggles but limits losses on difficult Dauphine day
CyclingSaturday, 08 June 2024 at 09:57
Remco Evenepoel crashed yesterday at the Criterium du Dauphiné, however he didn't complain about the shoulder injuries. Nevertheless, the Belgian admitted that he did not feel his best today on the summit finish the Collet d'Allevard, and has lost the yellow jersey to Primoz Roglic.
"It was difficult, a tough day. In the valley towards the final climb I felt my legs getting heavy, so I knew already then that it was going to be difficult to follow the best," Evenepoel admitted in words after the stage. The day wasn't overly hard, but Lidl-Trek put on the pressure before the final climb. Evenepoel, winner of the time-trial, looked strong on that day but today couldn't show the form he hoped for. In the final climb the Belgian team raced conservatively, but with such difficulties, it was never going to be possible to hide the difference in level against the best.
"After four or five kilometres I said on the radio that I didn't feel fresh anymore and that I had to find my own rhythm. I told Mikel Landa that he could go for his chance, but he quickly dropped me and then rode me to the last kilometre," Evenepoel shares. Time was slowly lost to a group including second place in the GC Primoz Roglic, and the yellow jersey was slowly leaving his injured shoulders. "There I went all-out for a good two minutes to limit the loss of time."
The final effort was strong and he managed to drop the rest of his group, in a strong dash to the line that limited the losses. Nevertheless, it was 42 seconds lost to Roglic at the line - plus bonifications. "This is what we expected, that I wouldn't be at my best here yet. I need time to improve, although we are on the right track. Two weeks ago at altitude I couldn't show the figures that I achieved today for ten minutes."
Evenepoel now sits second in the GC, 19 seconds behind Primoz Roglic, but he is not unhappy with today's performance. "All in all it is a positive day, the loss of time is not the most important thing we have to get out of this day. I'm not going to blame my shoulder that I fell on on Thursday, this is just part of my way to the top level. We have time, no reason to panic," he assured.
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- He'd won the Giro after all. That should put him as the strongest rider by itself. His rivals couldn't match him on the Finestre. Superior team tactics, but also superior legs by no means. He didn't even miss a doping test. Believe it or notBM06-06-2025
- Solid worker this guy 💪
leedorney06-06-2025 - One of the amazing things about cycling is how many races are happening at the same time. Stage, GC, and (as is clear here) job. It’s what makes the sport so interesting. On screen maybe not much is happening, but and yet so much is happening.RidesHills06-06-2025
- In contract year, i would say that if team duties permit, you are allowed to market yourself.abstractengineer06-06-2025
- Now its not a good team for talent development and opportunities. With Tadej hogging the GTs and the Monuments and the rest left fighting for scraps, there is very little chance for leadership roles which are critical in development of future greatsabstractengineer06-06-2025
- That is why talents shouldn't sign long term contracts of 5+ years. It leaves them vulnerable to team's decisionsabstractengineer06-06-2025
- OMG you've never been in a sprint if you get touched a little and stop sprinting ! Stay back on the peleton then if you can't take a lil' touch !frieders306-06-2025
- I guess that I'll need to find another sport to follow then.
santiagobenites05-06-2025 - Agreed, this sprint s is not woethy of a religation penalty! This should be re examied ou tof fairness.sam05-06-2025
- no brilliance from Yates or Visma?? you don't win Grand Tour without being strong rider. He stayed podium thru mtns without teammates Toro had full team of super climbers.Brilliant WVA and Yates, both monumental, inspiration comebacks, crushing the ride (all-time record time and he's not strong?). We all know Toro and Carapaz failed, but they didn't trust their legs; you might win by a few seconds if the others look at each other but not 5min.ccpivo05-06-2025
Who we kidding neither Roglic nor Remco or anyone from this race his able to hold the wheel of Pog, it was sad to watch but happy for Primoz nonetheless ! Hope he keeps on improving !
It's always hard to tell what's going to transpire at the Tour before we actually get there, but Remco is not looking too good at this point to challenge for a podium position. It'll be interesting to see how he recovers, and how he climbs on stages 7 and 8.
Hope he's able to work enough to get to a competitive point for the tdf, must be tough to work yourself back from a big crash and be in peak form a few weeks later. Hoping the same for Jonas 🙏🏼
He could go top 5 in the Tour if he has some good luck, and when I say top 5 I mean fifth...
I think he is out of time to challenge Pogi at the TDF. He will be top 10 for sure. Same with Tao as well. Roglic may be his closest challenger