Remco Evenepoel has vowed to take the struggle to his GC rival and “idol” Primož Roglič on Sunday’s remaining stage of the Volta a Catalunya after the pair fought over bonus seconds on stage 6 to Molins de Rei.
The world champion, who lies 10 seconds down on the race chief, traded seconds with the Slovenian on the lumpy 174km stage, with the duo escaping late on and Evenepoel even mixing it with the sprinters on the finish of the stage.
Talking after the stage, Evenepoel mentioned that the staff’s plan had been for Evenepoel to assault on the late climb 27km from the road, although he had hoped that Roglič would not be on his wheel.
“It was the plan this morning,” Evenepoel advised Eurosport. “We had a plan to go from the bottom of the climb full gasoline however in the long run, one other staff did it to manage for the dash, so I made a decision to attend for the final kilometre and do an assault like I did in Liège, simply excessive of the climb and the descent full gasoline.”
Evenepoel added that he had hoped to battle for the stage win together with his GC rival however mentioned that Jumbo-Visma‘s staff orders prevented Roglič from cooperating.
The 23-year-old appeared pissed off and swung off the entrance of the duo forward of the ultimate intermediate dash, however he and Roglič had been again on the entrance there as Evenepoel snatched again the second he had misplaced earlier within the day.
“In the long run, I had the incorrect man with me,” Evenepoel mentioned. “I imply he is the strongest of the race so most likely if he works with me, we go to the end line collectively as a result of we had 30 seconds arriving within the valley. However I feel his staff determined to not trip and save the jersey, which I utterly perceive.
“Nevertheless it’s only a pity as a result of it will’ve been good to try to go for the stage win. I even advised him that I simply wished to try to go for the stage, even when could be second I might be completely satisfied. However in fact, in case you get staff orders it’s a must to comply with them. It isn’t that I am indignant or one thing; that is simply bike racing.”
Sunday’s remaining stage takes Evenepoel, Roglič and the remainder of the peloton to Barcelona for a 136km stage which takes in six laps of the hilly Monjuïc Park overlooking town. The Alt del Catell de Montjuïc will play host to the ultimate GC battle of the race, which has seen Roglič lead from the beginning with Evenepoel hanging shut behind him all week.
Evenepoel mentioned he expects a tough day of racing the place he’ll once more bid for a stage win and the general title in addition to one other battle with Roglič if they will get away collectively as soon as extra.
“For positive, there is a fairly lengthy climb at first of the stage so there will likely be huge assaults, huge tempo, laborious racing,” he mentioned.
“Then the native lap in Barcelona is understood to be very laborious. There’s not one second of relaxation so there will likely be assaults in every single place. For positive we’ll attempt to go for the stage win, hopefully.
“However in fact, the GC will likely be very tough. However every part remains to be attainable. We’ll see. I feel at this time it was once more he two strongest who went off on the climb. Let’s hope it is the identical tomorrow and I hope that if we go, he’ll work with me, and we are able to attempt to go for the stage.”
Evenepoel mentioned that the race, his first again after two weeks at altitude on Mount Teide, has been about testing himself as a lot as something. With six weeks left to go till the Giro d’Italia – and one other battle with Roglič – begins, there are nonetheless a number of proportion factors of type to seek out.
“I got here from altitude – I have to really feel how the legs are, I wish to race, I wish to enhance in the direction of the Giro,” he mentioned. “I really feel that I am nonetheless not at 100%, I am simply in good condition. However I really feel like there are small particulars like weight and so forth that may nonetheless enhance my form.
“However I feel that what we’re exhibiting collectively is that we’re very equal in degree and that it will be a really good battle through the Giro if we hold this form. However in fact, another guys may even enhance.
“It is truly very good to race in opposition to my idol as a result of I actually look as much as him. It is simply very good to race with a famous person like Primož.”
