"They have to say what they think they see" - Quick-Step and Evenepoel hit back at fake flat tyre accusations

Stage 16 was quite a dramatic one as Primoz Roglic put on a surprise attack close to the finale and then crashed towards the end, seeing Mads Pedersen repeat a win under similar circumstances to those of stage 13, however after a more difficult finale. The day's highlights weren't only in the front however, as Remco Evenepoel punctured inside the last three kilometers.

After looking at the TV footage, many have speculated that the Belgian may not have had a flat tyre, and was instead faking the situation so as to save his legs in the difficult explosive finale into Tomares. Eurosport commentator Adam Blythe - who has in the meantime corrected his opinion - said that it was "a little too convenient that right at the bottom of that climb" and that "both wheels are pumped up and he’s pedaling fine".

Over the accusations, which have also spread through social media, Velonews have contacted a team member who has responded that “he punctured. That’s the only answer we can say to that. It happened in the last 3km. I know that Adam has to do his job but Remco punctured and that’s it. They have to say what they think they see.”

The situation could have consequences, as the 16th stage was not mentioned in the road book as one where the 3 kilometer rule would be used. This led to the possibility that Evenepoel would loose the red jersey to Enric Mas as he lost several minutes after rolling slowly into the finish, and with Roglic's crash in sight of the line.

In a post-race interview, Evenepoel has commented on the incident: “I knew I had a puncture because I realized I couldn’t ride my bike properly. I had no idea how far from the finish we were, but they told me in the radio that I was inside the last three kilometers, so there was no reason to panic. It’s a pity, because I wanted to go for the stage win, but at the end of the day I can be content with things," he concluded.