Belgian professional cyclist Remco Evenepoel (Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl) continues to aim for his first triumph at a major national tour.
The 22-year-old clinched his second victory of the day on Thursday on the 18th stage of the Tour of Spain and extended his lead in the overall standings. After the exit of defending champion Primoz Roglic, his lead with three stages to go is 2:07 minutes over Spaniard Enric Mas (Movistar), who finished second on Thursday.
On the home stretch of the tricky 192 km stage from Trujillo to Alto del Piornal, Evenepoel intercepted Dutchman Robert Gesink (Jumbo-Visma), who finished third. German professional cyclists, who are still waiting for a day’s victory at this year’s Vuelta, had nothing to do with the outcome of the race.
Roglic (Jumbo-Visma) had to give up on Wednesday due to injury, the Slovenian had recently won the Vuelta three times in a row. In the sprint final on Tuesday, he fell with serious consequences. Before that, he had done well in the race as second-placed overall.
On Friday, the peloton faces a moderately difficult stage over 138.3 in Talavera de la Reina, the Vuelta ends on Sunday in Madrid.