It wasn't I've never seen Remco so excited.The last time Evenepoel had talked about a great victory in a press conference it was on the day of the Liege, but he seemed relaxed and eager to talk. With the Doyenne trophy in front of his face, the little Belgian, who has since become a giant, had experienced firsthand the realization of a dream. This time, it's different. Yesterday on the Alto de Navacerrada, the Belgian had confirmation of having won the Return. So first he collapsed in a beautiful, liberating cry, then he looked back at the Vuelta behind him. What follows is a collection of his phrases, like slices of the most beautiful day.
What went through your mind when you crossed the finish line?
I don't know what was going through my mind. After all the efforts and also after all the negative comments about me from last year, I take this revenge. I responded with the pedals. This was the first major Giro which I started completely healthyI arrived in the best possible condition. I'm very happy with this victory, the first for the Wolfpack and the first in a long time for BelgiumThis is the best day of my life.
Was it hard to get there?
I thought about all the sacrifices of the past years. It wasn't easyThat fall at the Lombardy two years ago, the return to a good level. I also received a lot of criticism. My family and I have had many difficult times.The last three weeks weren't easy either. I had to be on guard every day. The pressure on my shoulders is enormousI wanted to get on the podium and win a stage. I won the overall classification and two stages. It couldn't have gone better.
Were you nervous this morning?
Very. From the outside I may look relaxed, but I haven't slept much.I knew it would be a tough stage, but I survived. I was already excited when I got up. Because I knew I was close to the big goal.
Was it that hard?
Apart from the arrival at Sierra de la Pandera, this was the most difficult stage. For the heart, for the body, for the head… Because you're so close, but you have to keep fighting. Three kilometers from the finish line, they told me I'd win the Vuelta. I felt shivers all over my body and in my legsI no longer cared about sprinting for second place. I just wanted to enjoy those last 500 meters. I still had the legs, but I no longer had the mind for a sprint.
Have you had any difficult times?
Just the fall. Two days later, I still wasn't at my level. Without that problem, I would have given Mas less time last Saturday.
Has Roglic's retirement made your life easier?
It can't be said. Falls are part of cyclingI can speak about it with full knowledge of the facts, just think of the 2020 Giro di Lombardia. Of course it's a shame for the Vuelta that Primoz disappeared from the raceBut it's not true that it was easier without him. Mas is also one of the best climbers in the world. He's already finished fifth in the Tour and second in the Vuelta three times. If I hadn't crashed, I wouldn't have had a single bad day in this Vuelta..
Is this really the most important day of your career?
It's been a great year, with Liège-Bastogne-Liège San Sebastian and now two stages and the overall classification at the Vuelta. And this winter I'm getting married.. It's the best year I could have imagined. I'm only 22 years old and this is only my fifth year on the bike..
There would still be the World Cup…
Excuse me to the national coach Vanthourenhout, but I'm not interested at the momentBut I can promise him that I'll be ready. I haven't thought about the World Cup for three weeks and I won't tonight, nor tomorrow (today, ed.). But From Monday I will concentrate 100 percent on the stopwatchThen I'll try to recover for the road race. I don't know what my legs will be like by then. And if necessary I will help Van Aert.
