Alberto Contador has said Remco Evenepoel suffered a lot more than lost time to Primož Roglič on today’s stage 14 of La Vuelta.
While Evenepoel (QuickStep-Alpha Vinyl) still leads Roglič (Jumbo Visma) by 1:49 in the general standings, the hardest third week of the race is just starting. And Contador believes the manner of Evenepoel’s faltering today – though he limited his losses with a battling ride – does not bode well for the young Belgian.
There have been questions about Evenepoel’s climbing abilities, specifically whether his performances on the biggest mountain passes on very hot days can match the rest of his abilities.
And now that the first crack has appeared in his performance, Contador – who served a ban after a clenbuterol positive test and was stripped of his 2010 Tour and 2011 Giro wins - is one of those commentators who believes Roglič is getting better.
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"Right now it's fifty-fifty,” Contador said when asked if Evenepoel or Roglič would win the race. “But today Evenepoel has not only lost time. Roglic now also has the mental advantage. He had to stay off the bike for two weeks after the Tour, but I think he will only get better and better.
"Remco clearly had a bad day today. That was the big question everyone had in their head beforehand: can he do it in a three-week race? We don't know the answer yet, but the Vuelta is completely open from now on.
“The Vuelta is still between Evenepoel and Roglic and on Sunday we will know who will win the Vuelta. The climb is so long and also goes to 2,500 metres. It's the perfect climb to overtake an opponent in crisis.
“If you want to win or take time, you have to attack there already,” added Contador of Sunday’s final climb. "That applies to Roglic, but also, for example, to Miguel Angel Lopez, who will still want to drive to the podium.”
