The world of cycling is celebrating. Remco Evenepoel and Annemiek van Vleuten have received the Golden Bicycle award that recognizes the best runners in the world in both the male and female categories. However, the big surprise has been that of Jonas Vingegaard, since for the first time in 16 years the winner of the Tour de France is not among the first three classified, and occupies the fourth position.
Vingegaard surprised in the Tour de France by winning his first yellow jersey. Despite his youth, he calmly withstood Pogacar’s attacks and showed great strength. The Jumbo-Visma cyclist was always well supported by his team and had a decisive teammate like Van Aert by his side.
Evenepoel, a 22-year-old Belgian rider, is the current champion of Liège-Bastogne-Liège, the Tour of Spain and the World Championship. He prevailed as a favorite for this award and received 139 points from the jury, ahead of his compatriot Wout Van Aert, with 88 points, and the Slovenian Tadej Pogacar, with 84. In addition, he has announced that he will run the Giro d’Italia in 2023.
In the women’s section, the Dutch Movistar rider, Van Vleuten, is champion of the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, the Vuelta a España and world champion. As the winner of the prize, she achieved 145 points followed by Lotte Kopecky, with 69. In third position there was a tie between the French Pauline Ferrand Prevot and the Italian Elisa Longo Borghini.
-Men’s classification of the Golden Bicycle:
1. Remco Evenepoel (BEL, Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl Team) 139 pts
2. Wout Van Aert (BEL, Jumbo-Visma) 88 points
3. Tadej Pogacar (ESL, UAE Emirates) 84 points
4. Jonas Vingegaard (DIN, Jumbo-Visma) 80 puntos
5. Filippo Ganna (ITA, INEOS) 15 points
-Female classification:
1. Annemiek van Vleuten (PSB, Movistar) 145 puntos
2. Lotte Kopecky (BEL, SD Worx) 69 pt
3. Pauline Ferrand-Prevot (FRA, BMC MTB Racing) and Elisa Longo Borghini (ITA, Trek-Segafredo) 48 pts