Questions about whether Remco Evenepoel (QuickStep-AlphaVinyl) can last three weeks at his best on a Grand Tour have been brought squarely into focus today when his main rival on La Vuelta, Primož Roglič (Jumbo Visa), took the fight to him on the summit finish and inflicted serious damage.
Roglič came into this race undercooked after being forced out of the Tour de France and, he claims, only getting back on his bike two weeks before the start of La Vuelta. Evenepoel started the race looking the leanest he has ever been and having undertaken prolonged preparation at altitude. However, as the big test of endurance begins - the difficult third week - the momentum has suddenly switched towards three-time Vuelta winner Roglič and away from Evenepoel, who has not yet completed a Grand Tour in his career.
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To Evenepoel's credit, he rallied well on the final climb today and limited his losses to Roglič to 52 seconds on the day despite being on the ropes some 4km from the finish when Roglič attacked. However, the difference between the two riders on the summit finish is a complete reversal of their status so far on this Grand Tour, when Evenepoel has looked in charge and at his ease every day.
With the last of the breakaway men just ahead of the select group on the final climb to the finish line today, Roglič attacked on the steep slopes with just over 4km to go. And while it took him a while to open a meaningful gap, it was immediately clear Evenepoel could not respond.
As Roglič pressed on alone, Evenepoel was on the front of the select group and looking around for help in the chase. And when Enric Mas (Movistar) and Miguel Ángel López (Astana Qazaqstan) pressed on in pursuit of Roglič, the select group disintegrated and the main GC riders all gradually rode away from Evenepoel.
Juan Ayuso (UAE Team Emirates), the Spanish 19-year-old, suffered a mechanical issue as the group was splitting. He managed to get a spare bike from neutral service and then caught Evenepoel and passed him. However, that duo would come together again and ride the last couple of kilometres in a joint bid to limit their losses.
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But by the end of the stage, Evenepoel had to be content with 8th place, some 48 seconds down on Roglič. who placed 3rd and took a four-second bonus to top up his reward for a great ride. That brought his gains over Evenepoel to 52 seconds. And with another huge day of climbing to come tomorrow, the gap between leader Evenepoel and 2nd on the GC Roglič is down from 2:41 this morning to a much more manageable 1:49 this evening.
On today's 160.3km stage from Montoro to Sierra de La Pandera Richard Carapaz (Ineos Grenadiers) out in another fantastic show off the front. He went in the early breakaway and as the best of the general classification men were closing in rapidly on the final climb Carapaz pressed on alone and took his second stage win.
Just eight seconds behind him came Miguel Ángel López (Astana Qazaqstan) in 2nd place with Roglič on the same time in 3rd place. Then came all of the other general classification men who also managed to drop the race leader in the final 4.5km, after Roglič attacked and blew the front of the race apart.
João Almeida (UAE Team Emirates) placed 4th on the stage, some 27 seconds down, with Carlos Rodríguez (Ineos Grenadiers) and Mas 5th and 6th, both at 36 seconds. Thymen Arensman (Team DSM) was 7th at 51 seconds and then came Evenepoel and Ayuso, in 7th and 8th, at 56 seconds.
Tomorrow's stage 15 - some 152.6km from Martos to Sierra Nevada - features a 19.5km summit finish, going over 2,500m, with Roglič will be looking forward to more than Evenepoel.
