Convincing power grab by Remco Evenepoel in the San Juan time trial

Remco Evenepoel has convincingly taken the lead in the Vuelta a San Juan. The 20-year-old rider from Deceuninck-Quick-Step made the 15.2 kilometer long time trial with arrival at the dam of Punta Negra as the fastest in a time of 19 minutes and 16 seconds. The difference with the competition was large. Number two Filippo Ganna took 32 seconds longer to complete his clockwise drive.

The individual time trial started without Julian Alaphilippe. The number two in the final classification of 2019 had canceled due to stomach complaints.

Home rider Leonardo Cobarrubia set a fast target time early on. The 21-year-old Argentinian was allowed to take a seat in the hotseat, but his time was not resistant to specialists such as Maciej Bodnar and Nelson Oliveira.

Vice world champion Evenepoel left as a top favorite. Like his competitors, he rode a regular road bike, albeit with a closed rear wheel. At the first measuring point it was already clear that he was well on his way. His interval was 36 seconds faster than the best time at the time. At the finish, he plunged for a minute and eight seconds under the time of 23-year-old Oscar Sevilla, who was surprisingly in the lead.

Evenepoel’s time would last, allowing him to celebrate his first victory of the season. The general classification has been firmly rearranged after the time trial. Classification leader Gaviria – who finished in harsh conditions with a lot of wind and rain – lost his leader’s jersey to Evenepoel. Due to the weather conditions, the stage ceremony was omitted.

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