Vuelta race director Javier Guillén looks back at past three weeks: "Remco really colored the race and ensured that many people were glued to the TV"

The 78th edition of the Vuelta a España is over. The big man from behind the scenes - the race directior Javier Guillén evaluates the race in an interview for EsCiclismo.

Guillén is initially referring to the introductory team time trial in Barcelona, which was literally and figuratively overshadowed. "The biggest problem was that it got dark too early that day. The day before the team time trial the weather was perfect and there was no problem with the light, but the storm gave us enormous darkness that Saturday. For next year we may have to adjust the timetable of the first stage."

And then there was the commotion after the first mountain stage in Andorra. On the final climb to Arinsal, Remco Evenepoel raced to victory, but the Belgian did not brake in time after the finish and did not have time to avoid a group of people. Evenepoel hit a woman and fell to the ground. "It is important to analyze this without immediately looking for perpetrators," says Guillén.

Despite these controversial moments, Guillén is more than satisfied with the further course of the race. "One team was super dominant. There was hardly any resistance. I like the winner of this Vuelta as he is very popular among Spanish cycling fans. I also think it's great that he was flanked on the final podium by the winners of the Tour and Giro."

Finally, Guillén has words of praise for another trendsetter: Remco Evenepoel. After a collapse in the Pyrenees, the Belgian could forget a good classification, but managed to take revenge as a stage hunter and king of the mountains. "Remco really colored the race and ensured that many people were glued to the TV. I look back on this Vuelta with a positive feeling. It was a very entertaining edition."