Remco has his Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana
On the wall of one of Remco Evenepoel’s homes, the painting designed by Miguel Soro — the artist from Xàtiva who creates the trophies awarded at the Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana — will now hang. The Belgian has won a race that eluded him in 2022, when Aleksandr Vlasov snatched victory from him on a stretch of sterrato.
This year, however, the reigning world time trial champion came to show why he is worthy of wearing the rainbow jersey. He was not intimidated by the wind in Carlet and, although he was unable to capitalise on time gaps caused by the conditions, he proved that he sets the benchmark. The following day, in Sant Vicent del Raspeig, the leader was worn down, and in the queen stage he showed that he is the strongest. His passage over the Pou wall — a section destined to go down in cycling history — accompanied by a gesture of superiority, showed that the Belgian is human too, enjoying every pedal stroke even if he sometimes seems out of this world.
Today it was simply a matter of controlling rivals, and the two ascents of the Garbí made the difference. Eight riders went clear: Adrià Pericas, Julien Bernard, Kim Heiduk, Emil Herzog, Jasper Schoofs, Raúl García Pierna, Sven Erik Bystrøm and Diego Uriarte. But the peloton was unwilling to give them any leeway, and the long straight along Malvarrosa beach looked set to decide the outcome. The breakaway riders took big risks — so much so that Bernard and Heiduk crashed — yet they survived to contest the sprint, which was won by García Pierna.
Movistar double
Spanish team Movistar completed a double. With an early victory by Germany’s Liane Lippert and García Pierna’s win later in the day, the team leaves Valencia’s Marina with two victories and a healthy haul of points. The rider from Tres Cantos claimed his first professional victory in a road race (he is a time trial specialist and already has several podium finishes). Those characteristics likely helped him secure the win in a group heavily worn down by the effort, as the peloton finished just two seconds behind, having pushed the chase to the limit without success.
Remco does not change his objectives
The winner of the Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana GP Banc Sabadell was remarkably generous in his comments to the many media outlets waiting for the Belgian star. He answered questions in French, English and Flemish, and Evenepoel believes that “the race will not take much out of him and that his main objective remains the Tour de France”. A clear statement when compared to other great riders such as Tadej Pogačar, who won the VCV in 2022 with two stage victories. Evenepoel’s triumph is surely the first stone in the foundations of a great season forged on Valencian roads.
The podium was completed by João Almeida (UAE Emirates-XRG) and Giulio Pellizzari (Red Bull–Bora–Hansgrohe), who also claimed the young rider classification. The best Spaniard overall was Iván Romeo of Movistar. The mountains classification went to Danny van der Tuuk (Euskaltel–Euskadi). Eritrean rider Biniam Girmay took home the points jersey — a significant achievement for a sprinter — delivering a strong result and valuable points for NSN.
Ángel Casero’s satisfaction
If one man was especially satisfied, it was Ángel Casero, general director of the Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana. The final outcome, with the media spotlight firmly on the winner and the organisation, was described by the promoter as “an outstanding result, very high indeed”. Casero believes that “the VCV continues along its traditional path, featuring great champions like Evenepoel”.
