Remco Evenepoel revives his genius in San Sebastián

There where his legend was born,

returned to claim his category, the promise of a reborn cyclist, even if he is only 23 years old.

On La Concha beach, where in 2019 he left the world speechless with an unusual exhibition, a 19-year-old boy to dominate them all, the Belgian raised his arms, his second Txapela, his love story with the Clásica de San Sebastián.

And, as then, he achieved victory with a display of force, alone, this time even further, with an attack on the first ramps of Erlaitz, 45 kilometers from the finish line.

Remco didn't hesitate for a moment, feeling like he did then, full, powerful, superior.

His hair-raising crash in August 2020 at the Giro de Lombardia was about to ruin the career of a special cyclist, of another who understands his profession as a permanent attack, like those who took the front page from him in those long months of recovery,

... This 2022 is his year of reunion, he already showed it in the Liège-Bastogne-Liège, his first monument.

Another impossible attack on La Redoute, another solo victory, the way he likes it best.

With

too soon out of action, already out of gas on the climb to Jaizkibel, without legs a week after putting an end to a devastating Tour, the Deceuninck had it clear.

, that guy who flies down, had tried, but as soon as the ground got hard, Evenepoel sped up without guessing.

And that an unrecommended rival stuck to his wheel like a limpet.

But

, who had just won in Castilla y León, soon gave in too.

Not a doubt on the descent, not a doubt on the flat, not a doubt on the last climb to Murgil.

The distances only increased, showing all his virtues against the clock.

Because from behind he was chased by the Ineos couple,

.

The one from Almuñecar, like Evenepoel, will be at the start of the Vuelta in a few days.

What has been shown is hopeful, although he finally ended up somewhat broken, in fifth position after suffering on the Murgil wall.

The distances were unusual for the Clásica de San Sebastián.

Almost two minutes on Sivakov.

And that Remco spent the last kilometer celebrating with the public, in one of his "favorite places".

"The Basque fans are incredible. It's my favorite race along with Liège-Bastogne-Liège, and luckily I've won both", he confessed at the finish line.

It had been almost 30 years since such a difference had been seen.

And no one has ever won the Klasikoa with such a long attack: the previous record was held by none other than

, who went solo with 40 kilometers to go in 1990.

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