Remco Evenepoel Triumphs in Tour de France Time Trial
A Day of Drama and Victory
Remco Evenepoel, the world champion in time trials, emerged victorious in the 7th stage of the Tour de France, covering the 25.3 km stretch between Nuits-Saint-Georges and Gevrey-Chambertin. Despite encountering a minor mechanical issue, the Belgian rider from Soudal-Quick Step managed to clinch the win by 12 seconds ahead of yellow jersey holder Tadej Pogacar.
Evenepoel's performance was marked by his strategic use of a 62-tooth chainring, which allowed him to dominate at each intermediate checkpoint. Although he lost some time on the downhill section, he regained his momentum in the final kilometers, overcoming a small derailleur problem to secure his lead.
In the general classification, Tadej Pogacar retains his yellow jersey, but Evenepoel has significantly closed the gap, now trailing by just 33 seconds. Jonas Vingegaard, who finished fourth in the stage, is now 1 minute and 15 seconds behind Pogacar.
A Close Call and Remarkable Recovery
Evenepoel's victory was not without its challenges. At the 21st kilometer, he experienced a scare when he felt as if he had a puncture. The Belgian raised his arm to signal his team car, but after a few tense moments, he realized there was no issue and continued his race. Post-race, Evenepoel expressed his relief and pride, saying, 'I was disturbed in my head, but I had to take risks because Tadej Pogacar was behind.'
Primoz Roglic (Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe) took third place, 34 seconds behind Evenepoel, while Jonas Vingegaard (Team Visma | Lease a Bike) finished fourth, 37 seconds back. French rider Kevin Vauquelin (Arkéa-B&B Hotels) secured an impressive sixth place, likely ensuring his selection for the Paris Olympics.
This stage was particularly memorable for local favorite Julien Bernard (Lidl-Trek), who enjoyed the support of his family and fans along the route, reminiscent of Thibaut Pinot's celebrated ascent during the 2023 Tour de France.
- Before the favorites took to the road, Victor Campenaerts (Lotto Dstny) held the lead for a significant period, finishing fifth overall. Bruno Armirail, the French time trial champion, had a disappointing day, finishing in 22nd place.
- Evenepoel's victory marks his first stage win in the Tour de France, and he remains optimistic about his chances in the overall competition. 'Tadej is untouchable, but we don't know what could happen. I feel better and better every day,' he said.
