On the attack again throughout the day, Remco Evenepoel finished fourth on the 15th stage of the Tour of Spain (WorldTour) contested over 158.3 kilometers between Pamplona and Liconberry. It was won by Portuguese Rui Costa (Intermarche-Circus-Wante), who won a three-way race ahead of German Lenard Kamna (Bora-Hansgrohe) and Colombian Santiago Buitrago (Bahrain-Al-Muntasir).
The Belgian champion finished 4th immediately, still recovering almost 3 minutes back on the Jumbo-Visma.
For Rui Costa, 36, it was the 31st win of his career, and the fourth of the season.
As had happened the day before during his triumphant flight, Remco Evenepoel was indeed the first striker. The Belgian champion made life difficult for the peloton at the start of the race.
In Puerto de Lizarraga (19.3 km/2.7%/cat.3), Evenpoel picked up the pace again. Only Rui Costa, Spaniard Cristian Rodriguez (Arkia Samsic), then Leonard Kamna and Santiago Buitrago were able to follow. The breakaway was formed 80 kilometers from the finish, consisting of fifteen riders with returning Italian Andrea Vendram (AG2R Citroën), Ecuadorian Jonathan Claver Caicedo (EF Education-EasyPost), Frenchman Rudi Mollard (Groupama-FDJ) and Kenny Elisund (Liddle Trek ), Australian Chris Hamilton (DSM – Firmenich), German Nico Dinz (Bora – Hansgrohe), Colombian Ener Augusto Rubio (Movistar), Frenchman Geoffrey Bouchard (AG2R Citroen), Danish Andreas Krohn (Lotto Dstny) and another Belgian. , Jimmy Janssens (Alpecin-Deceuninck), finished tenth on the stage.
The double ascent of Puerto de Zuarate (7.3 km/4.8%/cat.2) led to a new choice. Buitrago, Kamna (despite falling) and Costa all got away 8km from goal. Evenball’s group was about thirty seconds away. The trio will look at each other dangerously but will compete to win the race. The peloton arrived at 2:52.
Monday will mark the second day of rest for the 78th Vuelta.
