"Power was there but missed the stage win" - Mixed emotions for Remco Evenepoel after securing 2024 Volta ao Algarve triumph

It's been a near-perfect opening to a potentially career-defining 2024 season for Remco Evenepoel. After his win at the Figueira Champions Classic last week, the Belgian has now secured overall victory at the Volta ao Algarve.

“I am very happy with the overall victory," reflected the Soudal - Quick-Step leader in his post-race interview. On the final stage, Evenepoel and his team were put under considerable pressure from a long-range attack by Wout van Aert. "It's good to see how the team handled the situation, because we remained calm. Especially now that someone like Mikel Landa is there. He is very experienced and checks everything else. I am proud of that.”

Nevertheless, missing out on the stage win to Daniel Martinez leaves something of a mixed feeling for the Belgian in the end. "In the last 20km I could no longer switch back to the inner ring. And you know I like to have a high cadence. You could also see that in the sprint,” he explains. “I felt I had the power, but because I was riding on the outside, I felt the energy draining away. That's a shame, because I could have won.”

"Missing the stage win is a bit of a shame, because I really wanted to win because the team was strong. But my legs were filling up. That's a real shame, because I was one of the strongest on the climb, but that's life. Now I'll take some rest first," concludes the now three-time Volta ao Algarve winner.