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Continuing to Struggle TdF25-88
As you probably know, I paint these live as the stage is playing out before me, the peloton, and the world-wide cycling audience. For this reason, the title is a bit misleading. Remco Evenepoel (Soudal-Quick Step) has struggle through the Pyrenes. He recovered out on the course two days ago, but still lost time on the summit of the Hautacam. Yesterday he was passed by Jonas Vingegaard within site of the finish in the individual time trial. He is the current World Champion in the time trial discipline, but the climb was just too much for the Olympic Champion. Today as the peloton hit the base of the Tourmalet, the first of four huge climbs facing him and the rest of the peloton, he dropped off the back of the main group as the road went up. While he has been posting on his socials, he doesn't give up, he did just that a mere ten kilometers later. Being passed by the sprinters' groupetto may well have been the deciding factor. Not remotely the Tour the man in the Maillot Blanc of best young rider was hoping for.