Meintjes, an Intermarché climber, was more than a minute ahead of the young Italians Simone Battistella (Astana) and Edoardo Zambanini (Bahrain) on the finish line.

"I knew it was a really, really tough climb. It's an incredible feeling," said the winner of the day after the stage.

Seventh in the last Tour de France, the South African notably took advantage of the 24% portions in the final climb classified first category to win his opponents in the breakaway and win his first stage victory in a Grand Tour, at thirty years old. , confirming his excellent season.

It is also the fourth time in five days of racing that a member of the breakaway has managed to resist the return of the peloton to take over the stage.

Evenepoel on a cloud

The day after a grueling course between Pola de Laviana and the Collau Fancuya pass, Remco Evenepoel (Quick-Step) once again tamed his main competitors in the general standings, at the end of one of the key days of this 2022 edition.

As in each mountain stage since the start of the Spanish race, his teammate Julian Alaphilippe blew up the peloton in the last kilometers to put his leader in an armchair at the foot of Les Praeres.

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"We had a great day. Remco (Evenepoel) had great feelings, like since the start of the Vuelta. I'm happy to be able to help him as best as possible. When you have the leader of the Vuelta, it's good to be able to work for the team", commented the double French world champion.

The Belgian then carried an acceleration to the train that even Enric Mas (Movistar), the only one who had not been taken down by the Belgian until now in the last difficulties, did not manage to follow.

The "little cannibal" finally finished the race in fourth place, 1 minute and 34 seconds behind Meintjes, at the same time gaining nearly a minute from his direct competitors Mas and Primoz Roglic (Jumbo).

Evenepoel improves its lead in the general classification with now a minute and twelve seconds ahead of its Spanish runner-up and 1 minute and 56 seconds over the Slovenian three-time defending champion.

At 22, Remco Evenepoel is the youngest rider to wear the red jersey for at least three days since Spaniard Miguel Indurain in 1985.

Note the retirements at the start of the stage of the American Sepp Kuss (Covid-19), Roglic's lieutenant in the high mountains, the Belgian teammate of Remco Evenepoel Pieter Serry (Covid-19) and the Dutchman from Bahrain-Victorious Wout Poels (fever).

After two exhausting mountain stages, the peloton will have the right to a day of rest on Monday, before attacking a decisive individual time trial on Tuesday between Elche and Alicante.

© 2022 AFP