The Belgian prodigy secured his red leader’s jersey at the end of the penultimate stage won by the polka dot jersey Richard Carapaz, winner of his third stage in this Vuelta.
The triumph of Remco Evenepoel. Arriving sixth in the 20th stage, two seconds behind his main rival Enric Mas (Movistar), the Belgian prodigy secured the red jersey of leader of the general standings, where he keeps two minutes ahead of the competition on the eve of arrival in Madrid. As for the 20th stage, it was won by the Ecuadorian Richard Carapaz (Ineos Grenadiers). Best climber’s polka dot jersey on the back, the Olympic champion has validated his status as king of the mountains of this Tour of Spain 2022.
At 22, the rider of the Belgian formation Quick-Step-Alpha Vinyl will win his first career grand tour on Sunday, the first for a Belgian rider for 44 years (Johan De Muynck on the Giro in 1978). A real coronation for the one who was quickly nicknamed “the little cannibal”, who had offered himself a Monument earlier in the season with Liège-Bastogne-Liège in April.
Dressed in red for fifteen stages, Evenepoel proved untouchable throughout the day in the face of attacks in the Morcuera and Cotos passes (first category). In tears on arrival, the 22-year-old Belgian understood that he was going to win the Vuelta. “I don’t know what’s going on in my body and in my head right now, but it’s amazing. All the criticism I’ve had for the past few years, I’m finally delivered and I could answer with my legs“savored Evenepoel.
«I’ve worked so hard to get here in the best possible shape and win this Tour of Spain, it’s incredible. It’s the first Grand Tour I’ve finished, and I’m going to win it. I’m happy to be the first boy to win for the Quick-Step“In a Grand Tour added the Belgian nugget.
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