Vuelta, Remco Evenepoel doesn’t trust rivals left in the race

The Belgian is determined to take the red jersey all the way to Madrid

Primoz Roglic’s withdrawal from the Vuelta certainly shook up the peloton on the immediate eve of Wednesday’s stage, which took the caravan from Aracena to Monesterio de Tendudia. In addition to the outcome of the stage, won after 162.3 kilometers by Rigoberto Uran, the eyes of fans and insiders were on red jersey Remco Evenepoel’s handling of the race: no surprises at today’s finish, but a promise not to underestimate his remaining rivals starting with Enric Mas, who is 2 minutes and 1 second behind with four stages to go.

“Mas tried to stretch out, I expected that,” Evenepoel commented to the official channels of his team, Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl. “I reacted well, though, even though the stage finish was not exactly the easiest. The team was fantastic, pacing and protecting me all the way to the hardest parts. I am satisfied but we have a couple of very complex days ahead: the opponents are there and they are strong, we have to keep our concentration high to avoid surprises.”