Remco Evenepoel displays power and resilience again in Vuelta: "My celebratory gesture? That was for Oumi"

Remco Evenepoel showed in the eighteenth stage of the Vuelta a España why he is one of the most resilient and powerful cyclists of the moment. The Belgian crowned his Vuelta a España with another stage win on La Cruz de Linares, which at one point seemed to be heading in the wrong direction.

Evenepoel stirred things up again right from the start of the last true mountain stage. The polka dot jersey of this Tour of Spain then found himself in a breakaway without competition for the stage win, allowing him time to enjoy his brilliant performance on the final climb. It was his third victory in this Vuelta.

The Belgian from Soudal Quick-Step was naturally very pleased with his double win afterward because, with the points he collected on Thursday, he can no longer miss the mountain jersey in Madrid. "I felt that I was the strongest up front and that I didn't need to waste any time. I had a super good day, just like in the fourteenth stage. That's why I decided to go for it; it was once again a great stage for me. I've taken all the points for the mountain jersey and secured my third stage win, so that's great."

Evenepoel proud of his resilience and that of his team

"After my off-day on the Tourmalet, I turned the page, and now I've won three of the most beautiful stages of this Vuelta and secured the mountain jersey. It was a fantastic race, even though the overall plan didn't work out. We can be very proud and happy with this because we also showed that we have a lot of resilience," said the Belgian.

Evenepoel crossed the finish line with his hands forming an 'O' shape, which he explained afterward. "It was a message to Oumi, my wife. I said that if I were to win my third stage, I would dedicate it to her. That's why."