CADIZ, Spain — Remco Evenepoel claimed the Vuelta a Espana title for his first Grand Tour triumph, capping a dominant three weeks with one last push on the final stage from Las Rozas to Madrid that was won by Juan Sebastian Molano.
The 22-year-old Belgian had all but confirmed victory after holding off his nearest rival Enric Mas at stage 20 and finished the job with ease as he rolled into the Spanish capital flanked by his Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl team mates.
Mas of Movistar settled for second place overall while UAE Team Emirates’ Juan Ayuso completed the podium.
Evenepoel is the first Belgian winner of a Grand Tour since Johan De Muynck at the 1978 Giro d’ Italia and the youngest Vuelta champion since Angelino Soler in 1961.
“I’m proud to see the support of those at home, I’m thankful for that, as I am for the fantastic support I have continuously received the entire time from my team and my family.
“I worked hard for this, I made a lot of sacrifices and I’m happy it all paid off here in Spain,” said a thrilled Evenepoel after the victory.
“I’m happy to be part of this superb team and overwhelmed with what I achieved,” said the young rider – the first Belgian to win a Grand Tour in more than 40 years.
“Coming into the race we believed in ourselves and in our chances of getting a good result, but it was after the time trial – when Remco gained so much time on the others – that we began thinking it was possible to keep red and take it to Madrid,” said Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl sports director Klaas Lodewyck.
“It wasn’t an easy race, for half of the time we had to control it with just five guys, but both Remco and the team showed a lot of character and adapted to all the different situations we encountered, and if there’s one thing that makes me super proud, it’s this,” he concluded.
