Remco Evenepoel (Soudal-Quick Step) has just failed to win a grueling first race at the Tour of the Algarve. The Belgian champion was beaten in a fast race by Daniel Martinez (Bora-Hansgrohe), last year's winner. Wout van Aert (Visma-Lease a Bike) squeaked under the cloth.
Will Woot van Aart survive the final rise? When will Remco Evenepoel take his last shot?
These were the two big questions in the first test for the rankers.
On the final climb, Soudal-Quick Step took the blame, and Evenepoel watched it all with a smile. Van Aert, who gained an additional 4 seconds at the foot of the climb, also ran smoothly at the start.
When Evenpoel's superman, Mikel Landa, stepped on the throttle just before the red cloth, Van Aart was forced to leave a gap.
Kos, Pidcock, Higuita, Martinez and Evenepoel himself were able to follow the fast pace of the Basques.
And 400 meters from the finish, the Belgian champion himself shook the tree branches. Martinez fended off Evenpoel's attack and stormed to victory.
Evenpoel (second) crossed the finish line at the same time as Martinez. Van Aert (16th) came in 26 seconds. Tomorrow the ground will normally go to the runners again.
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