Remco Evenepoel: Vuelta a España stage 9 final 'just wasn't safe'

Remco Evenepoel (Soudal-QuickStep) leads the GC group up the Collado de la Cruz de Caravaca on stage 9 of the Vuelta a España
Remco Evenepoel (Soudal-QuickStep) leads the GC group up the Collado de la Cruz de Caravaca on stage 9 of the Vuelta a España (Image credit: Getty Images)

Reigning Vuelta a España champion Remco Evenepoel has reached the first rest day of the 2023 race in about as good a position as he could've hoped, slightly ahead of all his major rivals for the red jersey after nine days of racing.

The Belgian, who held the race lead for three days last week, came through another challenging day on stage 9 to the summit finish at Collado de la Cruz de Caravaca largely unscathed. A two-second time loss to close rival Primož Roglič (Jumbo-Visma) was a minor setback during a chaotic day of racing.

Dani Ostanek
Senior News Writer

Dani Ostanek is Senior News Writer at Cyclingnews, having joined in 2017 as a freelance contributor and later being hired full-time. Before joining the team, she had written for numerous major publications in the cycling world, including CyclingWeekly and Rouleur. She writes and edits at Cyclingnews as well as running newsletter, social media, and how to watch campaigns.