It was enough for him to watch his back, to protect his advantage, but Remco Evenepoel wanted to prove in the 18th stage that he is the strongest in the Vuelta. The ‘little cannibal’ won at the finish line of Alto del Piornal with an exhibition of legs, both attacking and defending in the last ascent of the starts of Enric Mas, also brave.
The Belgian achieved his second partial victory and left the general almost sentenced after beating the Spanish in the final meters and undoing the illusions of Gesink, the last of the escapees and faithful gregarious of Roglic until his abandonment.
The section, 192 kilometers between mountains through Extremaduran lands, did not invite the viewer to take a nap, with constant movements and attacks. In the initial section there was a multiple crash involving Carlos Rodríguez, who, bruised, gave up fourth place overall at the finish line. Worst off, however, was mountain leader and two-stage winner Jay Vine, who dropped out.
The escape, with more than 40 runners, including Carapaz and Higuita, was formed before the first ascent of the day to Alto de la Desperá. Almeida jumped a few kilometers later and the Emirates made Marc Soler slow down, among the escapees, to help the Portuguese, sixth overall. From behind, Astana took the lead to protect their leader, Supermán López, from Almeida’s attack, and in turn did a favor to Evenepoel’s Quick Step, with practically no troops.
Controlled the escape, the hostilities between the favorites began on the last climb, where all tried their luck, knowing that the victory of the stage was among them. The attacks followed one another, with O’Connor, López and above all Mas involved, but they were useless in the face of the hegemony of the leader, who already crosses out the days to celebrate the victory in Madrid. Friday’s mid-mountain stage seems ready for the breakaway and will be on Saturday, ending at the Navacerrada pass, where Evenepoel should defend the red jersey for the last time.
1. Remco Evenepoel (BEL) Quick-Step 4:45:17
2. Enric Mas (ESP) Movistar Team 2
3. Robert Gesink (NED) Jumbo – Visma”
4. Jai Hindley (AUS) BORA – hansgrohe 13
5. Thymen Arensman (NED) Team DSM ”
6. Thibaut Pinot (FRA) Groupama – FDJ
7. Ben O’Connor (AUS) AG2R – Citroen Team”
8. John Ayuso (ESP) UAE Team Emirates
9. Miguel Angel Lopez (COL) Astana – Qazaqstan Team
1. Remco Evenepoel (BEL) Quick-Step 69:59:12
2. Enric Mas (ESP) Movistar Team 2:07
3. Juan Ayuso (ESP) UAE Team Emirates 5:1
4. Miguel Angel Lopez (COL) Astana – Qazaqstan Team 5:5
5. Carlos Rodriguez (ESP) INEOS Grenadiers 6:49
6. João Almeida (POR) UAE Team Emirates 7:14
7. Thymen Arensman (NED) Team DSM 8:09
8. Ben O’Connor (AUS) AG2R – Citroen Team 9:34
