Abandon of @EvenepoelRemco in #GirodellEmilia.
With an irritated eye, Evenepoel withdraws in Emilia: "Focused on being my best in Lombardy"
CyclingMonday, 07 October 2024 at 13:12
Remco Evenepoel came to Emilia with the intention of winning. After finishing fifth at the Road World Championships in Zurich, the Belgian was determined to put pressure on world champion Tadej Pogačar. However, it didn't work out: with two laps to go, Evenepoel decided to call it a day.
In the soaked Bologna, Evenepoel made his move. On the first ascent of the famous San Luca climb, the Soudal Quick-Step rider increased the pace, quickly thinning out the peloton to a group of about fifteen favorites. However, Pogačar seemed to ride comfortably in his wheel. Moments later, this was confirmed: the Slovenian attacked and immediately dropped everyone. Evenepoel couldn’t keep up and was forced to chase. The world champion rapidly extended his lead. Seeing his chances for victory vanish, the Belgian decided to withdraw: with about twenty kilometers to go, he called it a day. The rain may have played a role.
Evenepoel provides reason for his withdrawal: splashing water was the culprit
After the race, Het Laatste Nieuws recorded the reason for Evenepoel's exit. The time trial world champion had issues with his eye. Splashing water was to blame, as some dirt got into his eye, which he couldn’t remove right away. His vision was impaired, so the Belgian decided to stop at the top of the San Luca climb. The withdrawal was also a precautionary measure. With victory already seeming impossible, he didn't want to push himself. "I’m just making the best of it; there’s nothing more I can do," he said. "The goal is to perform well at Coppa Bernocchi and Tre Valli Varesine on Monday and Tuesday to be at my best in Lombardy. If everything goes normally, I should be able to do that."
Video of the abandon of Remco Evenepoel at yesterday’s Giro delľ Emilia. 🎥: juanbmoraes
Pogačar's attack ultimately proved decisive: the Slovenian world champion crossed the line with more than two minutes' lead. Behind him, Tom Pidcock (INEOS Grenadiers) finished in second place, followed by the very young Davide Piganzoli (Polti Kometa).
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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