"Sometimes you just have to show balls in the race" - Remco Evenepoel slams Jonas Vingegaard after lack of cooperation in Tour de France attack

Remco Evenepoel was an antagonist throughout the gravel stage 9 of the 2024 Tour de France. At one point, the Soudal - Quick-Step leader was clear of the peloton alongside Tadej Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard. Sadly for the chances of the move however, only two thirds of the group had any intention of working.

"If we had turned around and joined the leading group, the race could have been held there. Unfortunately that didn't happen, although that is part of the tactics of certain teams. We have to accept that," reflected Evenepoel in his post-stage interview. "Tadej and I were certainly not happy about it. I really had the feeling that the final podium of the Tour could already be determined here. Unfortunately we have to accept that, although I think that sometimes you just have to show balls in the race. Unfortunately Jonas didn't have that. Unfortunately it was part of their plan."

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Ultimately, due to Vingegaard's lack of cooperation, the move collapsed and all three were soon back in the peloton. Despite more attacks later on in the stage, the elastic did not snap and all the main contenders crossed the line side by side, perhaps vindicating Vingegaard's tactics somewhat, with the Dane keeping the status quo despite much less energy use than his rivals.

"I understand the reasons for not taking over Jonas, from a team tactics perspective. Still, Tadej and I were annoyed, because we both like to attack from a great distance. We wanted to continue as a group, but Jonas was riding defensively. Again: we have to accept that. He will have every reason to," Evenepoel assesses.

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At point though, Evenepoel was momentarily on the back foot, with a mechanical issue forcing the Belgian to use even more effort to get back to Pogacar, Vingegaard and the rest of the contenders. "I told my teammates that they had to bring me to the front positions, but they didn't succeed. I wasn't so happy about that, since I had to close the gap myself. And that was exactly where I actually wanted to attack. Luckily I had the legs for it," he recalls.

"It is something to remember: racing aggressively, especially in stages like this. Just put your elbows out and fight!" Evenepoel concludes with optimism. "All in all, I can't complain. It was a good day for us. On to the rest day, it was a great week!"

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