Remco Evenepoel is also best on a regular bike in the adapted time trial at the Tour of Valencia
Remco Evenepoel won the individual time trial in the Tour of Valencia. In the 17-kilometer chrono, which due to strong winds did not count towards the general classification and was ridden on regular bikes, he beat teammate Aleksandr Vlasov and Mathias Vacek.
On day two of the Tour of Valencia, the riders faced an individual time trial, but for the GC contenders, there was ultimately little at stake. Due to the strong wind, it was decided that the times would not count towards the overall standings. Time trial world champion Remco Evenepoel thus saw a chance to make a difference against his rivals slip away. There was also a second safety measure: riders had to start on their regular road bikes.
The course, however, remained unchanged. We witnessed a time trial with two distinct halves. In the first ten kilometers, caution was required, with several corners, a short climb (with sections up to 8%), and at times a tricky descent. Once down, the hardest part was behind, followed by seven flat and relatively straightforward kilometers to the finish in Alginet.
Vacek sets best time
Among the early starters, Felix Großschartner posted the best time. The Austrian from UAE Emirates XRG held the hot seat for a long time but eventually had to give way to a teammate: Brandon McNulty. The American was thirteen seconds faster than Großschartner at the finish line. Meanwhile, at the halfway split, even better times were recorded by Florian Vermeersch, Ben Turner, and Mathias Vacek.
All three also finished better than McNulty, with the fastest time going to Vacek. However, one rider was still to come: Remco Evenepoel. And Aleksandr Vlasov. The Russian from Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe beat the Czech but could only briefly enjoy the top spot. Evenepoel did exactly what was expected of him. The time trial world champion was already eight seconds faster than both Vacek and Vlasov.
