"Jonas Vingegaard is the best climber in the world" - Remco Evenepoel on high-alert ahead of first real challenge to his Red Jersey

Remco Evenepoel grabbed six bonus seconds on stage 5 of the 2023 Vuelta a Espana, extending his lead in the general classification ahead of the first challenge to his hold on the Red Jersey.

“The final was technical and fast and the roads are slippery on the coast. We were at the front through all those roundabouts and then there was the sprint," the Belgian recapped in his post-stage interview with Sporza. "Actually I didn't want to participate to save energy, but UAE set up a lead-out and I thought; 'I'm going for it.' I thought it was three seconds, but apparently it was six seconds. That's not bad."

Competing for the intermediate sprint, Evenepoel was actually up against the Green Jersey and now back-to-back stage winner, Kaden Groves. After taking the maximum at the intermediate, Evenepoel actually apologised to Groves for interfering. “I just apologized to Kaden. I don't want to get in the way of his points, but he said it wasn't a problem."

"The Giro ended with a difference of fourteen seconds between Primoz Roglic and Geraint Thomas," he continued, highlighting the potential importance of the six seconds. "It's not that I'm betting on it, but it didn't take too much effort. It's nice, but it's not the most important thing. That's that we stayed upright."

Ahead of stage 6, Evenepoel admits that retaining the race lead could be a challenge, but it's one he is more than looking forward to. "I hope there is a nice breakaway that can go for the stage victory and then we'll see what we do with the jersey," he previews. 

“A half-hour climb like that should suit me right now," the Soudal - Quick-Step leader concludes. "But Jonas Vingegaard is the best climber in the world. Then you always pay attention and you look more at his wheel than usual, but we have to be alert anyway."