Remco Evenepoel has assumed its status. This Wednesday, the reigning world champion was eagerly awaited for the traditional midweek time trial in Dauphiné. He got away with it in style. One month before the Tour de France, the leader of the Soudal Quick-Step beat Briton Josh Tarling and Slovenian Primoz Roglic by 17 and 39 seconds respectively on a demanding course in the Loire department.
Enough to largely reassure the Belgian who is competing this week in his first race since his serious fall at the Tour of the Basque Country at the beginning of April. “My day-to-day feelings will be more important than the result. I will have to be patient,” he declared during the Grand Départ on Sunday. Having undergone surgery on his collarbone and shoulder under general anesthesia, he still said he felt a feeling of discomfort in his shoulder blade on the time trial bike. Suffice to say that the test is conclusive.
He is now at the top of the general classification. With new ambitions? The priority objective obviously remains the Tour de France (June 29-July 21). The weekend still promises to be interesting. Primoz Roglic and Matteo Jorgenson are right behind him, respectively 33 seconds and 1′04 behind. The first Frenchman is now called Bruno Armirail (6th). Romain Grégoire fell to 23rd place.
