"Now I'm going to fight and try to win this Vuelta" - Remco Evenepoel achieves main Vuelta a Espana goal and focuses on red jersey

Although he had ridden a very strong opening week, Remco Evenepoel stressed during the rest day that his priority remained a stage win. He had opportunities, but today in the individual time-trial - the only of the race - he's made it count.

“Actually, I don't know the differences. 48 seconds on Roglič? Well, that's a big surprise!" the Belgian said as he was interviewed right after his effort. "My teammate Rémi Cavagna did very well. It was perfect that he had a good time trial because that way I knew the times of the others. I already saw that everyone in the second part slowed down compared to him.”

Evenepoel was the grand favourite to take the win today in Alicante, and he didn't disappoint as from the start he set a blistering pace that no other rider could match. Over the intermediate sprints he set the best time, and arrived at the finish only seconds after Enric Mas, to take almost a whole minute on second place Primoz Roflic.

“I had to keep pedaling the same power all the time. It was flat the whole time and the finish was still very difficult," he said. "My legs were so heavy here at the end. That was still very tough. But it's nice to win this time trial in the red jersey. That is a great feeling.”

“I knew this time trial was going to be super fast. I'm so happy to get the stage win. This is a dream come true. Now I'm going to fight and try to win this Vuelta. The first pressure is over, we have won a stage. Everyone on the team is confident and doing so well. Now we have to fight to take this jersey to Wevelgem," Evenepoel concluded.

Into stage 11 the Belgian carries 2:41 minutes on Primoz Roglic and 3:03 minutes on Enric Mas. Very meaningful time, which in his current form seems to be a tough ask to anyone. However Evenepoel's biggest challenges are yet to come...