Paris (AFP)
At 20, the Belgian Remco Evenepoel performed a solo number in the climb to the finish of the 3rd stage of the Tour de Burgos, Thursday, at Picon Blanco, the first altitude test for the resumption of the season.
Evenepoel, winner with about twenty seconds ahead of New Zealander George Bennett, took control of the event which will end on Saturday.
The Belgian phenomenon, with the qualities of a rider (silver medalist at the 2019 Worlds), showed the extent of his register in the final ascent, limited to 7.8 kilometers but very steep (9.3% average) .
Evenepoel, who attacked 2 kilometers from the summit, widened significant gaps. Spaniard Mikel Landa, third on the stage, dropped around 30 seconds, and Ecuadorian Richard Carapaz around 50 seconds in the first of the two finishes at the top of the event, at the end of the 150 kilometers.
The Belgian, winner of the Clasica San Sebastian last year for his first season in the professional peloton, thus brilliantly answered questions about his level in the mountains. And thus confirmed that he would be one of the great protagonists of the next Giro, the first Grand Tour of his career.
In this very hot stage (nearly 40 degrees), several of the podium contenders found themselves trapped, more than 50 kilometers from the finish, in a curb organized by the Bora and Ineos teams. If a regrouping then took place, the reigning winner, the Colombian Ivan Sosa, paid for his efforts at the foot of the final climb.
The Spaniard Roger Adria, survivor of the breakaway, was caught on the approach of the last two kilometers. Just before Evenepoel's irresistible attack.
"The last kilometers were very difficult. There was a headwind but everyone has a headwind. I was at the limit but if we don't try, we don't win," said the young Belgian from l The Deceuninck team, which also placed the young Portuguese Joao Almeida, 21, in 5th place on the stage.
"It's not yet in my pocket but I have confidence," added Evenpoel, who won his first two races this year, the Tour de San Juan (Argentina) in January and the Tour of Algarve (Portugal). in February.
On Friday, the sprinters will have an opportunity in the fourth and penultimate 163 km long stage between Bodegas Nabal (Gumiel de Izan) and Roa de Duer.
© 2020 AFP