Despite beginning the race as the big favourite for overall victory,
Remco Evenepoel has failed to set his first race since the Giro d'Italia alight. Nevertheless, sitting 4th in the GC at just 46 seconds down he remains optimistic.
"I felt much better already. Gall increased the pace seven kilometres from the top. I knew this climb inside out and chose my own pace," recapped the
Soudal - Quick-Step leader in his post-stage interview with HLN. "Not full gas but not slow either. I was never really far away. Unfortunately I ceilinged a bit at 300 meters from the top. Otherwise, I would have crossed the line with those men and I would not have lost any time."