"Sometimes you just have to show balls in the race" - Remco Evenepoel slams Jonas Vingegaard after lack of cooperation in Tour de France attack
CyclingMonday, 08 July 2024 at 09:48
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."
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.
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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Who's the defending champion here? You might see his balls disappearing up the road on Tourmalet 🤣
It's annoying when your competitors want you to race to their strengths. Both Remco and Pogacar are whining about a rider who was seriously injured earlier this year not pulling through.
A manly rider would not complain. Did Merckx complain? ;)
Don't forget Remco was also seriously injured, in the same crash...
Vin reminds me of Indurain who was about as exciting as watching paint dry once he had smashed everyone in the TT . I do not believe your can recover from life changing injuries such as (punctured lung) and race the TDF even Bernard Hinault said he would know nothing about cycling if Vin won this edition.
Its called intelligence Remco, something that you appear to lack if you think the tour podium can be decided in the 1.5 weeks. Also Remco wants to make the podium without a proper team and this is just him trying to achieve that.
Jonas crying about the stage having gravel...maybe if you rode some of the spring classics you'd be a lot tougher in riding off-road ! Quite whining ! You wheel sucked and now you cry !
Vingegaard is crying? Where did you hear that?
He was crying about having gravel in the tour! He wants a clean road to ride on since he never rides the Strade or any of the spring Belgian classics.
This is actually what I like about Remco. A little blunt talk is in order sometimes.
Totally. Sometimes he says stupid things. Sometimes he says some pretty smart things. But at least he's not an athlete that only talks in pre-approved cliches.
Also it seems like Pogi and Remco are grating on Vingo a bit. If these mind games make Jonas do something stupid to show he "has balls", then mission accomplished