"Is Remco still angry? No, that's over in a few minutes" - Patrick Lefevere critic but understanding of Vuelta a Espana TTT drama

Remco Evenepoel finished the opening team time-trial of the Vuelta a Espana with a strong result but was very unhappy at the finish. However Patrick Lefevere reveals that the initial burst of emotion wore off shortly after.

“We are used to that in cycling, so we are an amazing sport, aren't we. Of course, the organization cannot control the weather conditions," Lefevere told Het Nieuwsblad. "We arrived here when it was 40 degrees and much too hot and suddenly it changes completely and we are here with situations that are reminiscent of a bad movie. No one could change the weather, but the stage could have started an hour earlier. If you see those photos that they arrive in the dark, that says enough.”

The unexpected change of weather in Barcelona was very dramatic and saw pouring rain and a dark sky in the peak of summer. Not only was there a lot of criticism - not to speak of mishaps and crashes from riders - but today the situation has not improved at all and the stage finale has been neutralized when it comes to the overall classification.

“For us it was a pity that the riders had to ride in the dark. They also sometimes did not know whether to ride on the left or right," Lefevere explains. "Is Remco still angry? No, that's over in a few minutes. That's that adrenaline after the finish, but I saw him on the team bus and then he was already laughing again."