"To say that it was easier without Roglič - that’s not true" - Remco Evenepoel arrives in Madrid in red

Remco Evenepoel had questions and unmeasurable amount of pressure on him for several years as Belgium looked for their new Grand Tour star, and Remco Evenepoel has finally delivered on his talent that has been shown for several years.

“Crashes are part of racing, I can talk about that as well in Lombardia 2020," Evenepoel said yesterday at the finish after being asked about Primoz Roglic's absence from the final days of racing. "Although for sure for the race it’s a pity that he was not there anymore. Everybody knows Primož one of the best riders in the world, but to say that it was easier without Roglič - that’s not true."

His Vuelta a Espana win is coming as a fruit of immense climbing talent, but also of his versatility and ability to remain calm under pressure. Throughout the three weeks there were some moments where he was put under pressure, specially in the second week's summit finishes, but he managed to limit his losses and remain at the head of affairs all the way into today's celebratory stage into Madrid.

“You always have to push, you always feel your legs. Enric Mas is also one of the best climbers in the world, he was already fifth in the Tour, twice second in the Vuelta and now third. So he, too, is one of the best Grand Tour riders," he said about the Movistar rider who will join him on the podium this afternoon, alongside compatriot Juan Ayuso.

At only 22 years of age, Evenepoel is still on paper an under-23 rider. However, he is already at the very top of the sport, having won a monument [Liège-Bastogne-Liège] and a Grand Tour this year. His changes in training and preparation were what saw him improve his climbing performances on the second half of the year, which leads to decisions on where to focus in the future. “I can combine them, but probably I really have to make a season in two parts; focusing on one-day races and then on Grand Tours," he said. 

"For example, it’s not possible to focus on Liège and the Giro. But maybe to focus on the Giro and end-of-season Classics and Worlds," he added. He will likely be riding the Giro d'Italia in 2023 so he may have hinted towards his main focus for the coming season, before a Tour de France debut in 2024. However for the time being Belgium and Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl Team can enjoy and celebrate a Grand Tour win that has been decades in the making.