Evenepoel justifies himself and is not hiding from the favorites of Parisian Nice
Remco Evenepoel has had a great start to the season. Three victories in six days of competition. His first victory came on display 51 km from the finish in the Figueira Champions Classic. He then dominated the Volta al Algarve, which he won overall, proving to be the best time trialist.
His next race is Paris-Nice this week and his form is still good. one of the best in the platoon. At the first stage, he already claimed to be ahead of such favorites as Primoz Roglic, Egan Bernal or Matteo Jorgenson. The Belgian did not think twice and wanted to do everything possible to win the French race.
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Evenepoel wins four seconds in Montaigne-Ville and hurries Roglic.#ParisNice | #LaCasadelCiclismo pic.twitter.com/Cenq2wcWXq
— Eurosport.es (@Eurosport_ES) March 3, 2024
Evenepoel, to the surprise of some, followed Jorgenson in the final intermediate sprint. “The goal was to get bonus seconds., and we achieved it,” Evenepoel told Het Nieuwsblad after the performance. Four seconds that could be decisive for the final victory. “Attack” which surprised its most direct competitors that after a few seconds they actually responded.
Moreover, Evenepoel wanted to turn the race on its head. On the last climb of the day on the Erbeville hill (2.6 km at 5.1%), short but intense, Bernal jumped and Remco followed. This meant that Roglic now had to fight in first person. It didn’t go anywhere, but Remco’s statement of intent is clear. Bernal, in turn, continues to deliver great sensations.
Thus, Evenepoel sends the first warning to Roglic, Bernal and company that the Soudal Quick Step leader is giving it his all in this race and that he has already been trying to disrupt the test since day one.