"Very proud of what I've already achieved, but I'd like to close with a second stage win" - Remco Evenepoel's targeting one last success on Tour de France debut

Remco Evenepoel went on the attack, gambling everything on the final mountain stage of the Tour de France, but was countered by Jonas Vingegaard and Tadej Pogacar.

Despite not winning, Evenepoel secures a third place finish in his first Tour appearance, provided no mishaps occur in the final time trial. "I'm very proud of what I've already achieved, but I'd like to close with a second stage win," said the Soudal Quick-Step leader.

From the start of the day, Evenepoel had the final time trial in mind. However, he decided to give it his all on the final mountain stage, instructing his teammates to chase down the early breakaway. "We wanted to try to put some pressure on, to see if Jonas' bad day yesterday would continue," Evenepoel explained to Sporza. "It didn't. We gambled and lost, but we have no regrets. It's very positive that we were able to show this on the last mountain stage of the Tour."

On the final climb, Evenepoel tried two attacks. The first was cautious, but the second was more aggressive, resulting in a counter-offensive from Vingegaard. "Those two Tour champions ahead of me have a lot more experience and a much stronger engine. That I have to accept," he reflected.

Evenepoel is aware that to attack Jonas Vingegaard and Tadej Pogacar he will need more specific training and a lot of work. However, he is satisfied with his performance so far. "I am very proud of what I have achieved. There were only two better riders, the winners of the last four Tours. That's no disgrace. And I've never completely collapsed, that should be a relief for you (journalists) as well," he commented.

Although the task will be difficult, Evenepoel is not ruling out the possibility of a second stage win in the final time trial. He knows he will have to be at his best to overcome the formidable Tadej Pogacar, who is looking for his sixth stage win in this Tour. "I want to close the Tour with a stage win," Evenepoel concluded.