Remco Evenepoel’s Tour de France bid takes a hit on stage 12 to Hautacam but Belgian salvages podium hopes

The chances of Remco Evenepoel bettering his third place in the Tour de France last year suffered a major hit after the Soudal-Quickstep rider lost contact with his rivals as Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates XRG) attacked to leave Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) behind en route to Hautacam.

Evenepoel had already been in trouble on an earlier climb, the Col de Soulor. The Belgian lost contact more than 7km from the top but his directeur sportif got on the radio to encourage him, saying there would be more riders dropped.