Remco Evenepoel on risk of Volta ao Algarve stage cut; possible sprint in summit finish: "I especially think of Wout van Aert and Magnus Cort"

The Alto da Fóia at the Volta ao Algarve is known to be a very windy climb, but this Thursday the weather may force organizers to cut the final climb's final kilometers. Remco Evenepoel reacts to this possibility, and ponders on his main rivals for the day.

"I don't think shortening will benefit the safety of the race," Evenepoel told Het Nieuwsblad this morning ahead of the start. The Belgian already thrived in windy and stormy conditions this past weekend at the Figueira Champions Classic, and sees no point in shortening the final climb by two kilometers as is currently being discussed within the race bubble.

"I think it will be a closed race today. It will also be the half climbers who can win at the top here if they survive the climb. I especially think of Wout van Aert and Magnus Cort," he says. The Belgian champion is clearly aware of the threat of a sprint towards the end, which would not benefit his chances - although he won in this very climb back in 2020 in that same scenario.

The time-trial will be the true defining stage of the week, but the two summit finishes will create important selections regarding the overall classification. Evenepoel will not want the likes of Wout van Aert, Filippo Ganna and Stefan Küng finishing alongside him, as they pose a serious threat against the clock later in the week. "As a team we must rely on our own strength and the fact that we can tackle the race in different situations," he concludes.