Remco Evenepoel’s solo victory interrupted as car bursts into flames on course of Belgian one-day race
A dramatic moment as the race was neutralised while Evenepoel was out in front
Remco Evenepoel’s solo victory in Druivenkoers Overijse was interrupted when a car burst into flames on the course of the Belgian one-day race.
Deceuninck - Quick-Step rider Evenepoel had launched a characteristic solo move in the closing kilometres of the 192km cobbled race on Thursday (August 26), which took on a handful of climbs that will feature in the 2021 World Championships, Evenepoel pulling out almost a minute with around 40km still to race.
But his rhythm was upset inside the final 35km, as the race was brought to a halt when a car caught fire ahead of the riders.
The race was neutralised for around 15 minutes to allow emergency services to attend the incident, as Evenepoel waited patiently at the side of the road, putting on his jacket to stay warm.
After the delay, the peloton were eventually allowed to pass the burning vehicle, at which point Evenepoel was allowed to resume his position as the sole leader of the race with 25km to go.
The race organisers gave Evenepoel a 35-second head-start over his rivals as the event continued.
Despite the interruption, Evenepoel didn’t lose focus and rode to solo victory, finishing ahead of his team-mate Mikkel Honoré in second, with Aimé de Gendt (Intermarché-Gobert-Matériaux) rounding out the podium.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
It’s a promising sign for Evenepoel, who is among the favourites for the 2021 World Championships in Leuven, Flanders in late September.
Druivenkoers Overijse 2021 was raced over 192km, starting and finishing in the Flemish town of Overijse, featuring 20 punchy categorised climbs, including the Moskesstraat, the Taymansstraat, and the Bekestraat, all of which will feature in the elite men's road race at the World Championships.
>>> Belgian pro criticises Elia Viviani's lead-out after he was 'sandwiched' in sprint
The men's race at the 2021 Worlds, scheduled for the final day of racing on September 26, will be raced over 268km from Antwerp to Leuven in Flanders, featuring 2,500 metres of climbing.
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Alex Ballinger is editor of BikeBiz magazine, the leading publication for the UK cycle industry, and is the former digital news editor for CyclingWeekly.com. After gaining experience in local newsrooms, national newspapers and in digital journalism, Alex found his calling in cycling, first as a reporter, then as news editor responsible for Cycling Weekly's online news output, and now as the editor of BikeBiz. Since pro cycling first captured his heart during the 2010 Tour de France (specifically the Contador-Schleck battle) Alex covered three Tours de France, multiple editions of the Tour of Britain, and the World Championships, while both writing and video presenting for Cycling Weekly. He also specialises in fitness writing, often throwing himself into the deep end to help readers improve their own power numbers. Away from the desk, Alex can be found racing time trials, riding BMX and mountain bikes, or exploring off-road on his gravel bike. He’s also an avid gamer, and can usually be found buried in an eclectic selection of books.
-
Is the Cycle to Work scheme disadvantaging those who really need it?
Questions have been raised about the commission providers charge local bike shops - but the scheme could be improved for users, too
By Sam Jones Published
-
It's Commuting Week at Cycling Weekly - here's what you can expect
Join us as we celebrate all things riding from A to B this week
By Michelle Arthurs-Brennan Published
-
Jonas Vingegaard, Primož Roglič and Remco Evenepoel caught up in huge crash at Itzulia Basque Country
Race neutralised as horror crash sees three of the favourites caught up in incident
By Adam Becket Published
-
'We were lucky with the weather': Brandon McNulty admits rain helped UAE Emirates edge Paris-Nice stage three team time trial
American pulled on the yellow jersey after a rain soaked finale to stage three in Auxerre
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Ineos Grenadiers delighted with Egan Bernal’s late cameo on stage one of Paris-Nice
Colombian snapped up key bonus seconds in the general classification battle on run in to Les Mureaux
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Remco Evenepoel and Wout van Aert impress in Portugal ahead of bigger tests
Evenepoel starts season in fine form ahead of Tour de France debut this summer
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Analysis: In the age of the all-rounder, Jonas Vingegaard’s programme stands out as different but is it really that unusual?
Unlike Remco Evenepoel, Tadej Pogačar and other high profile Grand Tour riders, it’s unlikely that Vingegaard will target any major one-day races this year
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Jumbo-Visma and Soudal Quick-Step discuss potential merger - reports
Idea of merger between the two teams could see new ‘super team’ known as Soudal-Visma or Visma-Soudal as soon as 2024
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Five things we learned from the Vuelta a España 2023: Sepp Kuss is the real deal and Ineos still lacking
Here's what we learned from the final Grand Tour of the 2023 season
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Remco Evenepoel powers to solo breakaway victory on stage 18 of Vuelta a España
Evenepoel seizes third victory of 2023 Vuelta at La Cruz de Linares as Sepp Kuss stays top of general classification
By Tom Thewlis Published