Remco Evenpoel wins Stage 3 of the 2023 Vuelta a Espana, a mountaintop finish punctuated by a collision with a fan just after the line. Evenpoel bested Jonas Vingegaard for the win and takes over the red leader’s jersey.
After the opening week-end in Barcelona, La Vuelta headed to Andorra with a first mountain stage and a summit finish in Arinsal after overcoming the cat-1 climb of Coll d’Ordino. Andrea Piccolo (EF Education-EasyPost) took the overall lead from Lorenzo Milesi (DSM-Firmenich) yesterday, but he was not expected to hold the lead today.
Eduardo Sepulveda (Lotto Dstny) created the break of the day and was soon joined by Amanuel Gehbreigzabhier (Lidl-Trek), Pierre Latour (TotalEnergies), Damiano Caruso, Jasha Sütterlin (Bahrain Victorious), Lennard Kämna (Bora-Hansgrohe), Andrea Vendrame (AG2R Citroën), Rune Herregodts (Intermarché-Circus-Wanty) and Jon Barrenetxea (Caja Rural-Seguros RGA). Mathis Le Berre (Arkea-Samsic) and Jose Manuel Diaz (Burgos-BH) trailed by 44” with the peloton about 5 minutes back.
With 50km to go, the gap was down to 3’24”.
With 32km to go, Diaz attacked with Caruso Kämna, Sepulveda and Barranatxea on the chase. Gehbreigzabhier and Le Berre were able to bridge as well.
Caruso upped the ante once more and only Sepulveda, Kämna and Le Berre were able to follow. Back in the peloton, Jumbo-Visma and Soudal Quick-Step were trying to control the race with Vine, Bardet and Kelderman all making moves.
Back at the front, Caruso attacked once more, with Sepulveda and Kämna right behind. With a little over 5km to the finish, they still led by 1’48”.
In the last kilometers, the leaders were overhauled and it came down to a battle for the GC lead between Evenpoel and Vingegaard at the line.
Collision
As he celebrated his success, Remco was involved in an incident in the meters after the finish line, where he collided with a member of the race organisation staff. He received a cut to his head but has been given the all clear after an examination by medics.
“I am happy with the win and the fact that I can have such a good punch after a hard climb. The team did a great job today, they were perfect, made sure of not spending too much energy, and deserve praise for their work. The guys have a lot of confidence in me and I have in them, and I am delighted this has led to a stage victory in the first week of the race.”
Evenepoel, who now has a total of 17 red jerseys in the Vuelta, continued: “The recon I did some weeks ago helped me to know about that final corner, and that’s what made the difference today. When I went and saw that I had a couple of meters over the others, I just kept pushing. It’s a win that reminded me of the one I took on La Molina, in Catalunya. Moving into the overall lead so early was never the plan, but if you can fight for a stage victory, then you always have to go for it. We will celebrate this success a bit this evening, then focus on the next days.”
Vendrame Takes Points Jersey
“I am really happy to put on the green jersey for the points classification. It was one of the objectives of the day after taking third place on Sunday at the end of the 2nd stage. Larry Warbasse, Mikael Cherel and I were designated to try to get into the breakaway. The battle was really hard to get into the right one. The difference was made at the top of a climb after more than 30 kilometers and I managed to put myself in a small group. Right away I knew my goal was to take the points at the intermediate sprint in Andorra la Vella. I succeeded.
“It’s a special moment to wear a distinctive jersey at a grand tour. I am proud. Even if the main objective is to win a stage with the AG2R CITROËN TEAM at this Vuelta a España, keeping this jersey will also be important. It would be wonderful to get on the podium in Madrid, although I know it will be a tough battle.”
Stage 3 Brief Results:
- Remco Evenepoel (Soudal Quick-Step)
- Jonas Vingegaard (Jumbo-Visma), +1”
- Juan Ayuso (UAE Team Emirates)
- Primoz Roglic (Jumbo-Visma)
- Marc Soler (UAE Team Emirates)
General Classification After Stage 3:
- Remco Evenepoel (Soudal Quick-Step)
- Enric Mas (Movistar), +5”
- Lenny Martinez (Groupama-FDJ), +11”
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