Johan Bruyneel analyzed the Tourmalet stage of the Vuelta a España on Lance Armstrong’s YouTube channel, The Move. The former sports director of the US Postal Service attempted to explain the reasons behind Remco Evenepoel’s collapse during a very difficult day.
Bruyneel couldn’t get in touch with Evenepoel’s staff.
“I tried to speak with his staff, and they didn’t give me any explanation, simply that he had a bad day, no strength left, his reserves were empty. I was surprised that he had problems with 60-70 km to go when the domestiques were setting the pace. Obviously, something went wrong,” Bruyneel said.
Bruyneel explains that Evenepoel had never faced such a tough stage as yesterday’s in the Vuelta. “If we look at his performance in mountain stages, the truth is that Remco had never ridden such a tough stage as yesterday, with two tough Tour de France climbs like Aubisque and Tourmalet.”
“The 27 minutes lost are insignificant; we can’t read anything into that since he abandoned halfway through the stage. A bad day like that is a problem. We’ve seen moments of weakness from Remco in the past, but nothing like yesterday.”
Remco Evenepoel is a disappointment.
Johan Bruyneel doesn’t want to criticize Remco Evenepoel for what happened at the Tourmalet stage, although he acknowledges it was surprising and will have its consequences. “It’s a surprise and a disappointment. It’s not a good sign for his future as a Grand Tour rider.”
“I have the feeling that riders like Jonas and that type are Grand Tour riders, they have a level, and even if they drop a bit, they’ll still be there. But with Remco, I always thought he would either be very good or a complete mess.”
Watch the full interview: