'Every team has their tactics' - Evenepoel reflects on his Vingegaard comments in Catalunya finale

Remco Evenepoel has admitted that he has no regrets with the way he raced stage 3 of the Volta a Catalunya, where he crashed inside the final kilometre, and confirmed that he still has some back discomfort.

Following medical scans and overnight rest, Evenepoel was deemed fit enough to take to the start in Mataró.

“I should be pretty ok. We went to do some scans in the hospital in the night, and everything was fine, so good to go,” Evenepoel told CyclingProNet at the start of stage 4.

The Belgian admitted to still feeling some discomfort, particularly in his back, but also highlighted how his legs still felt good despite the crash.

“Yeah, actually, I think the same feeling as yesterday evening, like a bit of soreness in the back, but the legs were not really touched, so that's the positive news.” 

A blessing in disguise, perhaps for Evenepoel, is the fact that strong winds have forced the fourth stage to be reduced in distance and have seen the planned summit finish at Vallter 2000 removed.

“Yeah, of course, it gives me an extra day to kind of see how the body is reacting. I think it's a shame because it's a pretty beautiful finish as well,” said Evenepoel. 

“Also, it takes out one day for the GC, so, I mean, it's a negative and positive in both ways for me today, so, yeah, we'll have to deal with the fact that it's out now and just make the best of today.”

It’s clear that the Olympic Champion has no regrets about racing aggressively in the finale despite the crash, with his real sense of disappointment coming from the fact that he missed out on the stage win.

“The goal of the team was to make some damage in the bunch, that was done. And then in the end, we also wanted to see the situation and try to go for the stage, if possible,” said Evenepoel. “And I think we were on a good way, so yeah, like I said, yesterday, I raced to win, and unfortunately, I was stopped with 400 [meters] to go.”

Evenepoel was asked about his “good cooperation” comment he made after the stage, being asked about how he felt regarding himself and Vingegaard on the run-in, where the Belgian was visibly disappointed by the number of turns the Dane was taking on the front. 

“I think every team has their tactics. I think what Jonas said is he didn't want to race to win yesterday, but, I mean, we also didn't think that I was going with two to the finish line, so sometimes we have to adapt to situations, and in the end we went for it,” said Evenepoel. 

“But like I said yesterday, every team has their tactics, and we had ours, and we tried to go for it. So yeah, that was it.”

“The only thing I was asking was just a few turns so I could just relax the legs a little bit. But I think at some point. from the car or himself, I don't know what the decision was,’ said Evenepoel.

Despite the setback, Evenepoel remains motivated ahead of the next four stages with plenty still to play for.  

“But like I said, I'm still here, so nothing is wrong at the moment, and it's a shame because I miss out on another stage win, but it only gives motivation to try and go for it in the next days.”

Ahead of stage 4, Evenepoel sits 2nd in the GC, 11 seconds behind race leader Dorian Godon, but also four and five seconds ahead of Tom Pidcock and Jonas Vingegaard, respectively.