Remco Evenepoel stayed in Nice after finishing second overall in Paris-Nice, no doubt reflecting on his second place overall as he completed two laps of the 34km hilly Monaco to Nice time trial that will crown the winner of this year’s Tour de France in July.
The Belgian had a successful Pais-Nice on his stage race debut in France but also had some regrets. Many considered him the strongest rider in the race but he finished second to Matteo Jorgenson after opting not to chase when the American attacked on stage 6 with Brandon McNulty and Mattias Skjelmose. Evenepoel lost 52 seconds to Jorgenson that day.
Evenepoel and Jorgenson got away during the final stage around the Nice hills on Sunday, dropping all their rivals in a show of force and climbing ability in the rain-soaked Nice hills. Evenepoel won the stage and Jorgenson took the yellow jersey from McNulty.
Evenepoel finished second overall at 30 seconds, with McNulty third at 1:47, also taking the green points jersey, the polka-dot mountains jersey and the combativity prize. Only the yellow jersey and the stunning Paris-Nice winner’s trophy eluded him.
“For sure I should be happy,” Evenepoel said after Paris-Nice, trying to see his glass half-full.
“I think it was a very high level amongst the GC contenders. The only GC guys not here are Tadej (Pogacar), Jonas (Vingegaad) and Juan (Ayuso).
“The main goal was to win a stage and get a podium spot. I finished second on a stage, won a stage, was fourth on two others and then we were unlucky in TTT (due to the rain). It’s a super positive week for us and it’s perfect to keep parking with this morale.
“The only regret is Friday’s stage of course. I lost my GC hopes there and the first place complete. They’re mistakes that will not be made any more.”
Evenepoel admitted that Jorgenson was the deserved winner. On Sunday the American led Evenepoel for much of the final 40km, using his local knowledge of the roads to ensure they gained time on McNulty and the other chasers.
“The two of us were the strongest men in the race this week. On Friday he made the right choice and I made the wrong one. So nothing to complain about,” Evenepoel said.
The Tour de France is still four months away and Evenepoel showed he is building well for the expected showdown with Pogacar, Vingegaard and Roglic.
He will next race at Itzulia Basque Country (April 1-6) facing Vinegaard and Roglič. Pogacar will be absent as he rides Milan-San Remo and then…
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