‘Stop your show, I finished second’: Evenepoel snaps at press officer after congratulations before cooling down
Remco Evenepoel had just secured second place on Alpe d’Huez and all but confirmed the same position in the Tour de France general classification. His first reaction, however, was anything but celebratory.
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The Belgian crossed the line 26 seconds behind stage winner Richard Carapaz after attacking on the final slopes. Believing victory had been within reach, Evenepoel hit his handlebars and entered the finish area visibly frustrated.
When Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe press officer Gabriele Uboldi approached to congratulate him, Evenepoel immediately pushed back.
“Why are you celebrating?” he said. “Stop your show always. I finished second, I didn’t win.”
The exchange was brief. Once his frustration had eased, Evenepoel apologised and explained the emotion behind his reaction.
“I just wanted to win, you know.”
His disappointment was still evident when he later spoke to the media, although he was able to put the result into perspective.
“I was a little disappointed not to take the stage win because we came really close,” Evenepoel told TNT Sports. “But that is my mentality. I always aim for the highest possible result and try to win. I did everything I could.”
With two stage victories and second place overall, Evenepoel eventually described his Tour as a major success.
“I am second in the general classification, with two stage wins and several second and third places. It has been a very good Tour. I am very happy for myself and for the team.”
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