A new era of cycling stardom dawned on Thursday, August 24th, as 22-year-old Remco Evenepoel of Belgium powered to a scintillating victory in the individual time trial at the Vuelta a Espana. It was a performance that sent shockwaves through the cycling world and evoked comparisons to the legendary Eddy Merckx, regarded as the greatest cyclist of all time.
The 30.9km course in Elche, Spain, was a demanding one, with rolling hills and technical corners. Evenepoel, however, made it look easy. His average speed of 53.1 km/h was the fastest of the day, and his margin of victory – 48 seconds over second-placed Primoz Roglic – was the largest in a Vuelta time trial since 2012.
It was Evenepoel’s second Grand Tour time trial victory of the year, having also won the opening stage of the Giro d’Italia in May. That win, along with his overall victory at the Tour of Belgium and his runner-up finish at the Tour of Switzerland, has established him as the heir apparent to the likes of Tadej Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard.
A Return to Form
Evenepoel’s performance at the Vuelta comes after a difficult few years for the Belgian. In 2020, he suffered a horrific crash at the Giro d’Italia, which left him with a fractured pelvis. The following year, he struggled with injuries and illness, and he was unable to perform at his best.
However, the 2023 season has been a different story for Evenepoel. He has been in scintillating form, winning multiple races and cementing his status as one of the most exciting young riders in the world.
A Harbinger of Greatness
Evenepoel’s time trial victory at the Vuelta is a clear sign that he is back to his best and is ready to challenge for the biggest prizes in cycling. He is still only 22 years old, and he has already achieved more than most riders do in their entire careers. It is hard to imagine what he might achieve in the years to come.
With his combination of youth, talent, and determination, Evenepoel has the potential to become one of the greatest cyclists of all time. His victory in the Vuelta time trial is a harbinger of the greatness that is to come.
Kind regards,
E. Thompson
