Evenepoel overheard Pogacar planning UAE attack before Solaison win: ‘I knew it was coming’

The Belgian survived the move and went on to beat Pogačar at the summit, claiming the first mountain stage victory of his Tour career.

Speaking to VRT’s Maarten Vangramberen, Evenepoel explained how overhearing the UAE riders helped him anticipate the acceleration. He also credited his improved climbing to his winter move from Soudal Quick-Step and the changes made since joining Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe.

The victory was the 75th of Evenepoel’s professional career. His palmarès already includes world titles, Olympic gold medals, a Grand Tour and Monument victories, but he believes his latest success ranks high on the list.

“Among my Grand Tour victories, certainly,” Evenepoel told Sporza. “But the World Championships and the Olympics are in a different category altogether.

“This is a new kind of victory because of the level of the competition and the uphill finish. It is definitely high on my list.”

Evenepoel had lost time on the Col du Haag during the previous day’s stage to Le Markstein, when he was unable to match the strongest climbers in the finale. At Plateau de Solaison, he found himself in a very different position.

“This time, I was able to push through that wall,” he said.

Pogačar made his move with just over five kilometres remaining, but Evenepoel already knew an acceleration was coming after overhearing a brief exchange between the Slovenian and Isaac del Toro.

“I heard Tadej behind me ask Isaac, ‘Do you want to go?’ So I knew it was about to happen,” Evenepoel explained.

“They rode extremely hard for five minutes after that. When we caught Yates, the pace dropped slightly. In the closing kilometres, I felt that Tadej was holding something back to keep Isaac with him.

“That gave me more confidence, especially because I did not feel as though I was on the limit. I decided to wait for the sprint, and that proved to be the right choice.”

Evenepoel joined Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe from Soudal Quick-Step during the winter in one of the biggest transfers in recent cycling history.

The move brought significant changes to his training programme, with a new coach placing greater emphasis on the demands of the Tour’s mountain stages.

“I owe a large part of the progress I have made to the team’s support structure and my new coach,” Evenepoel said.

“He introduced new aspects into my training. It was also clear that this year’s Tour would be decided in the mountains rather than in the time trial.

“That is why we took the risk of arriving one kilogram lighter than usual. It has paid off.”

Evenepoel’s climbing performance at Plateau de Solaison represented an important confirmation of that progress. He was able to follow Pogačar and Del Toro when the race intensified before beating Pogačar in the sprint for the stage victory.

The celebrations continued at the team hotel, where Evenepoel addressed his teammates and raised a magnum of champagne. His message, however, was not only about celebrating Sunday’s victory.

“We still have a big goal on Tuesday,” he told the team.

Stage 16 is a 26 kilometre individual time trial through the Alps. As the reigning Olympic and former world champion in the discipline, Evenepoel is expected to begin as one of the leading favourites.

After proving at Plateau de Solaison that he can beat Pogačar uphill, Evenepoel will now turn his attention to the discipline in which he has traditionally been at his strongest.