Remco Evenepoel, one among its brightest stars of the 2025 Tour de France, was compelled to desert the race throughout Stage 14. The 25-year-old Belgian, representing Soudal Fast-Step, had been holding third place within the normal classification (GC) and carrying the white jersey as the most effective younger rider. Nevertheless, the demanding Stage 14 from Pau to Luchon-Superbagneres proved tough, bringing his marketing campaign to a untimely finish.
What occurred through the race?
Stage 14, with its 4 main climbs, together with the enduring Col du Tourmalet, was a make-or-break second. Early within the stage, Remco Evenepoel discovered himself in hassle because the peloton tackled the Tourmalet’s 19 km ascent, averaging a brutal 7.4% gradient. Unable to match the tempo, he was dropped with 108 kilometers remaining, a devastating blow for a rider.
When did Remco Evenepoel give up?
Because the peloton powered forward, Evenepoel briefly adopted a small group led by his teammates, trailing a few minute behind. Nevertheless, the hole widened, and the indicators had been ominous. His teammate Valentin Paret-Peintre was given the liberty to pursue his personal outcome, signaling that the staff’s focus had shifted. With 100 kilometers to go, Evenepoel made the tough determination to step off his bike. He handed his water bottle to a younger fan earlier than climbing into the Soudal Fast-Step staff automotive, formally ending his 2025 Tour de France.
This abandonment marks a stark distinction to Evenepoel’s debut in 2024, the place he secured a formidable third total. The younger Belgian, who received the Vuelta a Espana in 2022 and the opening time trial of this 12 months’s Tour, had excessive hopes for a podium end.
Issues forward of Stage 14
Remco Evenepoel’s difficulties started within the days main as much as Stage 14. The Pyrenees, with their punishing climbs, uncovered vulnerabilities within the Olympic champion’s type. On Friday’s uphill particular person time trial to Peyragudes, he struggled to maintain tempo however managed to stay to his third-place place, trailing race chief Tadej Pogacar by over seven minutes.
Reflecting on his efficiency, Evenepoel admitted, “Yesterday was unhealthy, right now was worse.”
Tadej Pogacar dominates
Remco Evenepoel wasn’t the one casualty of Stage 14’s brutality. Mattias Skjelmose of Lidl-Trek, recognized for his climbing capacity, additionally deserted after an early crash. In the meantime, race chief Tadej Pogacar continued his dominance, having already crushed his rivals in a current time trial.
His lead within the GC stays commanding because the Tour de France race heads towards its conclusion in Paris on July 27.
