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

Remco Evenepoel
(Image credit: Getty Images)
By Tom Thewlis
published

Remco Evenepoel powered to a resounding solo win from the breakaway on stage 18 of the Vuelta a España to take his third stage victory of the race on the final summit finish at La Cruz de Linares.

The Belgian - wearing the polka dot jersey as the best climber - dispensed with Great Britain’s Max Poole (DSM) and Damiano Caruso (Bahrain Victorious) on the first of two ascents of the Puerto de la Cruz de Linares climb and soloed to the finish to take his 50th career win.

Nearly ten minutes behind Evenepoel, Jonas Vingegaard (Jumbo-Visma) led a select GC group towards the summit of the climb which included his teammate and race leader Sepp Kuss who successfully defended his position at the top of the general classification.

As well as taking the stage honours, Evenepoel also effectively wrapped up victory in the mountains classification.

Originally part of a 14 man break, which included Egan Bernal (Ineos Grenadiers), Evenepoel launched a huge attack with nearly 30 kilometres still to race which his rivals for the stage win were unable to answer.

Poole fought valiantly to hold Evenepoel’s wheel on the steep gradients, but the former road World Champion simply had too much power for the young Briton.

Speaking post-race to the media, Evenepoel explained that he attacked from distance due to sensing the perfect opportunity to secure victory in the mountains classification ahead of the race concluding in Madrid on Sunday.

“I felt that I was the strongest of the group and I didn't have to waste any time,” he said. “I just had to go for it, so I found that the legs were super good today, and I had a better day like I had in stage 14, so it's an amazing stage to win.

"I think it was a super good opportunity to take the points for my jersey, I think I took all the points and my third stage win is amazing to end the Vuelta with."

Remco Evenepoel

(Image credit: Getty Images)

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

Tom Thewlis

Tom joined Cycling Weekly in early 2022 and his news stories, rider interviews and features appear both online and in the magazine. 

He has reported from some of professional cycling's biggest races and events including the Tour de France and the recent Glasgow World Championships. He has also covered races elsewhere across the world and interviewed some of the sport's top riders. 

When not writing news scoops from the WorldTour, or covering stories from elsewhere in the domestic professional scene, he reports on goings on at bike shops up and down the UK, where he is based when not out on the road at races. He has also appeared on the Radio Cycling podcast. 

Latest
You might also like
View More ▸