Remco Evenepoel settles for third place at Tour de France: "If the Tour ended now, that would be fine too"

Remco Evenepoel and his team, Soudal Quick-Step, achieved their goal on stage 16 of the Tour de France in Nîmes. Wearing the white jersey and in third place overall, the Belgian declared that the job was done. Although he wanted to leave immediately, he had to give a brief interview after the finish.

"The stage started with a lot of wind, but then the intensity decreased, which made it almost a rest day," said the Soudal Quick-Step team leader. "I was on the wheel of Yves Lampaert the whole time, who did his job perfectly by keeping me well positioned and out of trouble. That was the only important thing."

The next two days will take the peloton into the Alps, and with what still lies ahead, Evenepoel seems to want to play it safe. "I think the breakaways will have room twice, so in a way it will be calmer for us," the 24-year-old indicated.

Evenepoel also looked ahead to the difficult final weekend that awaits the peloton at the Tour de France. "I'm keeping an eye on the riders behind me, because I want to keep my place on the podium. I think I can take a more defensive approach, but something more could still be possible. After all, I have a good margin. But if the Tour were to end now, that would also be fine with me."

The Belgian continues to race a perfect Tour de France which is now likely to end in a podium, as long as he is able to avoid major cracks on the stages going up to Isola 2000 mainly, but also the Col de la Couillole on Saturday. Soudal - Quick-Step will have Mikel Landa protect him if necessary in the toughest moments which may come on the brutal 19th day of racing, but also Ilan van Wilder who is on rising form.