Nat Bromhead
“I can’t describe what it means to take my first Grand Tour and to be on the podium together with my outstanding teammates, it’s something really special that I will never forget.”
The words of Remco Evenepoel, winner of the third and final Grand Tour of 2022 and – at just 22 years of age – one of the most exciting riders of our generation.
Sealing the ’22 Vuelta deal on the final stage in Madrid, Evenepoel finished more than 2-minutes ahead of second- placed rider Enric Mas (Movistar), with Juan Ayuso of Team UAE finishing third overall. Two Aussies made the top 10 – Ben O’Conner (8th) and Jai Hindley (10th).
“I worked hard for this, I made a lot of sacrifices and I’m happy it all paid off here in Spain,” said a thrilled Evenepoel after the triumphant victory.
“I’m proud to see the support of those at home, I’m thankful for that, as I am for the fantastic support I have continuously received the entire time from my team and my family. I’m happy to be part of this superb team and overwhelmed with what I achieved,” said the young rider – the first Belgian to win a Grand Tour in more than 40 years.
“Coming into the race we believed in ourselves and in our chances of getting a good result, but it was after the time trial – when Remco gained so much time on the others – that we began thinking it was possible to keep red and take it to Madrid,” said Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl sports director Klaas Lodewyck.
“It wasn’t an easy race, for half of the time we had to control it with just five guys, but both Remco and the team showed a lot of character and adapted to all the different situations we encountered, and if there’s one thing that makes me super proud, it’s this,” he concluded.
2022 Vuelta Overall Top 10
1. Remco Evenpoel (Bel) Quickstep-Alpha Vinyl
2. Enric Mas (Esp) Movistar +2:02
3. Juan Ayuso (Esp) UAE Team Emirates +4:57
4. Miguel Ángel López (Col) Astana Qazaqstan +5:56
5. João Almeida (Por) UAE Team Emirates +7:24
6. Thymen Arensman (Ned) DSM +7:45
7. Carlos Rodríguez (Esp) Ineos Grenadiers +7:57
8. Ben O’Connor (Aus) AG2R Citroën +10:30
9. Rigoberto Urán (Col) EF Education EasyPost +11:04
10. Jai Hindley (Aus) BORA-Hansgrohe +12:01
Images: Sirotti
