Remco Evenepoel (Soudal-QuickStep) launched a blistering attack on the final hairpin of the mighty Arinsal, fighting off a determined Jonas Vingegaard, who was in hot pursuit.
The first mountain stage of Vuelta a España 2023 lived up to expectations as the GC favorites battled up steep slopes.
Remco was involved in a collision after the finish line, as he was unable to break before crashing into a soigneur. Blood was pouring from his face, supplied by a nasty cut above the eyebrow.
He looked to be relatively unscathed otherwise however, and should be able to start Stage 4 without issue.
Behind the current UCI ITT World Champion Remco Evenepoel and the Tour de France champion Jonas Vingegaard rode Juan Ayuso and Primoz Roglic respectively.
A valiant breakaway group made up of Damiano Caruso (Bahrain Victorious) and Lennard Kämna (BORA-hansgrohe) was caught just 2 km from the finish.
Geraint Thomas suffered a setback today, conceding a 47-second gap. As of now, the Welsh rider finds himself trailing Evenepoel by 1 minute and 11 seconds in the overall rankings.
Andorran ascendance By Remco Evenepoel
Remco Evenepoel has been in fine form this season and entered this race as the bookie’s third choice. He threw caution to the wind with a dominant sprint to the line.
Remco has been vocal about rider safety, particularly in the first two stages of the year’s Vuelta a España 2023, and that criticism has continued today.
During his post-race interview, referencing his crash, he re-iterated:
“Again, some things of safety. It was only 50 meters after the finish line, and it’s the third day in a row, and it’s a bit breaking my balls now.”
He quickly switched the topic to the superb tactics of the Soudal-QuickStep team, praising them for their focus and patience. He launched an unexpected attack a couple hundred meters from the finish line, dropping Jonas Vingegaard on the final turn.
I felt super good on the final climb with a long and very strong sprint, so I’m super happy with this victory… I felt I had a big punch left in my legs, so it’s good.”
Summit Glory Eludes Tenacious Breakaway Duo
Stage 3 of Vuelta a España 2023 featured a grueling 158.5-kilometer journey from Suria to Arinsal, Andorra. Viewers were treated to early attacks from the peloton, with an 11-man breakaway eventually forming.
Among them was a strong pedigree of riders, with Lennard Kamna of BORA–hansgrohe and Damiano Caruso of Bahrain Victorious emerging as serious contenders for both the stage win and the overall race lead.
At times, it looked as if the breakaway stood a chance. Nevertheless, the giants of Jumbo-Visma, Ineos Grenadiers, Soudal-Quickstep, and UAE Team Emirates united their efforts at the front of the peloton to ensure that the breakaway’s advantage remained in check.
Their collective strength prevented the gap from growing beyond five minutes.
As the ramps steepened and the kilometers ticked away, the breakaway’s lead steadily dwindled, setting the stage for a nail-biting showdown in the mountains of Andorra.
Riders were getting picked off one by one, swallowed by the ever-encroaching peloton. The ascent to the Coll d’Ordino revealed the true mettle of the escapees, with only Kamna and Caruso defying the peloton’s pursuit.
And then, in a climactic surge, Sepp Kuss of Jumbo-Visma injected a burst of speed that shattered the status quo.
The final kilometer became a battleground for the main general classification contenders. And it was Remco Evenepoel who emerged victorious, summoning every ounce of strength to outpace Vingegaard in the last 100 meters.
Remco Evenepoel dons the red jersey on day 3 of a grueling 21-stage tour, and jokingly referred to the “unfortunate” responsibilities that the famous maillot rojo comes burdened with.
Although the Soudal-Quickstep team is robust, it doesn’t have the same caliber of domestiques found amongst the teams of rivals Jonas Vingegaard, Primoz Roglic, and Juan Ayuso.
The cycling action presses on as Stage 4 awaits tomorrow, commencing in Andorra la Vella and crossing into Spain via a challenging course that winds its way to the coastal town of Tarragona. Maybe one for the sprinters?
Remco Evenepoel can likely “relax” for the next two stages before the next general classification test during stage six on Wednesday. This demanding leg features a formidable concluding ascent leading to the renowned Astrophysical Observatory of Javalambre.
Vuelta a España 2023: Stage 3 Results
- Remco Evenepoel (Soudal-QuickStep) 4:15:39
- Jonas Vingegaard (Jumbo-Visma) +0:00:01
- Juan Ayuso (UAE Team Emirates)
- Primoz Roglic (Jumbo-Visma)
- Marc Soler (UAE Team Emirates)
- Enric Mas (Movistar)
- Lenny Martinez (Groupama-FDJ)
- Cian Uijtdebroeks (Bora-Hansgrohe)
- João Almeida (UAE Team Emirates)
- Aleksandr Vlasov (Bora-Hansgrohe)
Vuelta a España 2023: General Classification Standings after Stage 3
- Remco Evenepoel (Soudal-QuickStep) 8:43:11
- Enric Mas (Movistar) +0:00:05
- Lenny Martinez (Groupama-FDJ) +0:00:11
- Jonas Vingegaard (Jumbo-Visma) +0:00:31
- Aleksandr Vlasov (Bora-Hansgrohe) +0:00:33
- Cian Uijtdebroeks (Bora-Hansgrohe) +0:00:33
- Romain Bardet (DSM) +0:00:35
- Santiago Buitrago (Bahrain Victorious) +0:00:35
- Wilco Kelderman (Jumbo-Visma) +00:00:37
- Primoz Roglic (Jumbo-Visma) +00:00:37
Vuelta a España Jerseys after Stage 3
Red Jersey
Remco Evenepoel (Soudal-QuickStep)
Green Jersey
Andrea Vendrame (AG2R Citroën Team)
Polka-Dot Jersey
Remco Evenepoel (Soudal-QuickStep)
White Jersey
Remco Evenepoel (Soudal-QuickStep)
Stage 3 Combativity Award Winner
Lennard Kamna (Bora–Hansgrohe)
