Evenepoel beats even Pogacar in the time trial. But the Tour remains in the hands of the yellow jersey
Winning leads to more wins. Remco Evenepoel, the king of time trials – the only rider in this Tour still capable of causing Tadej Pogacar a few (minor) headaches – is really starting to get into his stride.
The Belgian has in fact won his second consecutive stage (the 26.1 km Evian Le Bains–Thonon Le Bains time trial), beating the yellow jersey by almost half a minute; the yellow jersey, however, remains firmly in the lead in the general classification with a lead of 4 minutes and 42 seconds over Evenepoel himself.
It was a fine victory – the 76th of his career – for the Belgian specialist, though one that was widely expected given Remco’s qualities as an Olympic and World Champion and reigning European champion in the individual time trial. His dominance, despite Pogacar’s strong performance, was never in doubt. The Belgian prevailed both in the first section (ten kilometres on a gentle incline) and in the second, which was downhill and on the flat. Evenepoel’s victory is nonetheless a significant confirmation, as it comes on the heels of his success on the climbs of the Plateau de Solaison.
As the race enters its final stage, with the finish in Paris on Sunday 26 July, the renewed vigour of Evenepoel – already world champion in 2022 and winner of two Liège–Bastogne–Liège races, adds at least a little spice to a Tour which, with the withdrawal of Vingegaard and Pogacar’s total dominance, already seemed to have reached its conclusion.
Let’s be clear: the Slovenian’s lead – bearing in mind that there are still two gruelling mountain stages to come before Paris (featuring the Galibier and the double ascent of the Alpe d’Huez) – does not alter the overall picture. So far, Pogacar has consistently proved himself to be far superior to the Belgian in the mountains, whilst the Belgian is more at ease in time trials. However, two consecutive victories provide a boost to morale and the impetus to prove that this much-discussed champion can also be competitive in a race like the Tour.
