Remco Evenepoel after his puncture: “I panicked a bit, I used to be afraid of shedding the purple jersey”

Remco Evenepoel skilled a really eventful finish to the sixteenth stage, like its competitor Primoz Roglic. Whereas the purple jersey suffered a puncture within the final three kilometers of the race, the Slovenian fell violently within the last dash. Evenepoel, present chief of the Vuelta, returned to this fully loopy finish of the stage on the microphone of our particular correspondent Kevin Paepen.

“It was the best stage because the begin of the Vuelta, however the final ten kilometers had been harmful. I needed to struggle for the win right now… however I could not with my puncture 2.5 kilometers from the end. I had good legs. I like this type of end however sadly I could not struggle for the win“, mentioned the Belgian runner.

When Evenepoel suffered a puncture, Roglic, for his half, determined to assault and took the lead on the peloton with different riders together with Pedersenright now’s winner:At first I panicked a bit as a result of I used to be afraid of shedding the purple jersey. I used to be burdened as a result of I used to be unsure if the three kilometer rule was utilized. Once I modified my bike, I used to be informed it was good in order that reassured me“.

Within the normal classification, Evenepoel retains his purple jersey however loses 8 seconds on the Slovenian, who in response to the jury, was a part of the primary group on the time of his fall and was due to this fact categorized within the time of the winner, not like the Belgian. “I hope Primoz is nicely and may proceed. However we’ll see for the classification. Usually, in case you have a puncture within the final 3 kilometers, you’re categorized with the primary group. If it stays like that, 1 minute 26 forward continues to be good however the climbs are coming… I hope they are going to give me the 8 seconds I misplaced due to the puncture. I had the legs to be with the perfect in entrance“, plagued Remco Evenepoel.

Shortly after the Belgian’s interview, the jury confirmed the final classification in a press launch. On the finish of the sixteenth stage, Evenepoel solely has a minute and 26 seconds forward of Roglic.