Thanks to the bonification seconds he scored, @EvenepoelRemco sits fifth in the #ParisNice general classification.
Evenepoel and Bernal spice up the opening stage of Paris-Nice with a battle for bonus seconds: "It was a very nervous and fast race"
CyclingSunday, 03 March 2024 at 15:28
Remco Evenepoel, along with Egan Bernal and Primoz Roglic, animated the opening stage of Paris-Nice. The Belgian champion repeatedly sought bonus seconds in the Race to the Sun (and also aimed for the stage win), but couldn't break away. However, Evenepoel didn't come away empty-handed, snatching a nice four extra seconds.
"The goal was to grab bonus seconds, which we achieved," Evenepoel told Het Nieuwsblad. "There was one rider (Matteo Jorgenson, ed.) who was a bit smarter: he started a bit earlier. Plan A was to go on the top," Evenepoel recounted, and he did just that. "But all those who were with me were sprinters' domestiques who didn't want to collaborate. Which is their right."
Evenepoel didn't know Roglic was in his wheel
Roglic, however, didn't compete for the the bonuses, but was alert when Evenepoel launched a second acceleration in the final phase. "When we have a plan, Roglic is usually glued to my wheel. I didn't see him there; that's why I kept pushing so hard. I think he just wasn't well-positioned at the front. That's always the case in your first race of the year: you have to regain some confidence. We were riding so fast that not many guys had an answer, and for a moment, four or five of us got away. I don't know if Roglic didn't want to or couldn't keep up. You'll have to ask him."
"We did what we wanted to do. Took a few seconds, that's something. Didn't fall, that's also something. The team is solid, so that's good for morale. Purely in terms of chaos, this was probably the most dangerous stage of this Paris-Nice, and we survived it well. Everyone was immediately in the right place, so the first test in France was successful."
Continue reading below the tweet.
Egan Bernal: "Grabbing bonus seconds was not the intention"
Bernal was thus a partner in crime with Evenepoel. "It was a very nervous and fast race," the Colombian said. "Our plan was to make the race hard, and we succeeded. The team worked well, and I am happy with my performance and my day. The intention on the last climb was to be in a good position and to attack, but grabbing the bonus seconds was not part of it. However, when I saw the opportunity, I just followed the riders in front of me."
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Latest Comments
- Well explained, thanks for the clarity! Daniel DantasDanieldantas20-12-2024
- This is the kind of 'news' that belongs in a cheap tabloid. No matter how boring the offseason gets, nobody wants to read this.
santiagobenites19-12-2024 - I wish we could have seen him try. He'd absolutely get dropped before Pogi overtakes his domestiquesVeganpotter10-12-2024
- Talk is cheap! Next year barring crashes with a healthy team... all well be on track! Some need to talk to make a headline!mootman27-11-2024
- I do not see this event listed on HBO Max Sports Online? Can anyone confirm? Thanks!
MrYuck23-11-2024 - It seemed that he was focusing forward at the time of the crash, after seeing a quick video snippet. But one thing I think he should focus on more intently is breaking a bad habit he has, right now. And that is his constant looking over his shoulders. He does that so much, that I am very sure it is not good for him. Simply watch videos of the greats of CX and you will see very little of that constant looking over their shoulders. That is a behavior that betrays a bit of insecurity on his part. He shouldn't be so concerned, incessantly, about what is over his shoulder. He needn't worry they didn't all disappear. He neds to keep his focus more ahead of himself, and he needs to pay a bit more attention to himself, in a confident manner. It is very frustrating to watch, because it is apparent that he has a lot of potential, and is in much better shape thwan many of his competitors, but the mental game needs to be sharpened more, because that part of strategy plays a huge part in the final results
reemmo022-11-2024 - hahahaha love this shit! I didnt even watched the race, but reading all the gossip articles of how stupid this is!Zatoichi19-11-2024
- Van Aert is really handsome. He can influence me all day! Ditto for Philipsen. Why do you think many of us love cycling?: to see heroic attempts at climbing mountains at high altitudes or to watch speedsters sprint for the finish line or to watch a human being ride at break neck speed down a tricky descent? No, it's all about their lean physiques and muscular legs. (apologies for objectifying these dedicated and amazing athletes).BarwonHeadsUp25-10-2024
- It is unfortunate that the author can't feel the joy that Pogacar brings to the sport and his fans who are legion and I for one feel lucky to have watched such a memorable performance and historic season From the Strada until yesterday with multiple wins in stages in both tours and beyond dominance in the World's. He is proud to wear the Rainbow stripes, shows his leadership to protect his fellows and is as courteous and sportsman-like as the sport allows. He goes early to not have to respond to each attack as all the rest would make him do it. Any racer who could would do the same. Don't "grow tired" of greatness as it is always fleeting.ccrider13-10-2024
- What load of rubbish. Pog is likely a once in a generation cyclist, the like of which hasn't been seen since 'the Cannibal '. How many people were complaining that Merckx was making racing predictable? I remember this year's World RR as one of the most exciting I've watched. Mainly BECAUSE Pog was the favourite and launched what everyone thought (Pog included) was a suicidal attack with 80km to go. For the next 2 hours, I was on the edge of my seat thinking "this is too much, even for Pog". Maybe Zonnefeld prefers the snooze-fest that is a bunch sprint? Like most people I know, I can't watch two hours of the bunch riding very fast... I wait for the final 5km and watch just the sprint. In any event, most races are won from a sprint or lone break. What difference does it make who makes the lone break? Ultimately, the other contenders will have to figure out a way to beat Pog. Even if that means collaboration between teams. It's going to be an exciting few seasons, until the next Pog arrives on the scene. If this is boring, heaven knows what exciting looks like!Michael513-10-2024