The battle between
Remco Evenepoel and
Primoz Roglic had been marking this
Vuelta a Espana, and as it was entering it's crucial and final days of battle, the ending to it was anticlimatic as the
Jumbo-Visma abandoned the race following a harsh crash at the end of stage 16.
In conversation with Sporza at the start of the 17th stage, Evenepoel talked about the situation that has developed: "It may be a different race, but Primož's withdrawal will not change our tactics and mentality. We have to keep the focus. The Vuelta will only end in Madrid on Sunday.” Evenepoel was leading the overall classification with Roglic being his main opponent, sitting 1:26 minutes behind this morning as the announcement on his departure was announced.
The two had clashed in the first week with Evenepoel taking meaningful time on the ascents to Pico Jano and Les Praeres, aswell as the stage 10 time-trial, however on the second week Roglic began a remount. He's won over a minute throughout the summit finishes at Sierra de La Pandera and Sierra Nevada, and on the 16th stage he also officially won eight seconds on the Belgian following his attack near the end.
“Every day is a new day. It may be a different battle, but it is especially unfortunate for the race, Jumbo-Visma and Primož. I don't believe the way is open now. We have to stay focused for four more stages and fight for our main goal," Evenepoel concluded. Today's summit finish at Monasterio de Tentudía will be a first test without Roglic present.
