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SportsEvenepoel aims to challenge Pogacar in Tour de France time trial
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The Tour de France enters its final stretch with a demanding 26.1 km individual time trial between Évian-les-Bains and Thonon-les-Bains. Belgian Remco Evenepoel, Olympic champion and three-time world champion in the specialty, has an opportunity to challenge Slovenian Tadej Pogacar's overall lead. Evenepoel, who won Sunday's stage and rose to 2nd overall after Jonas Vingegaard's crash and withdrawal, acknowledges that making up the 5-minute deficit is unrealistic but aims to win another stage. Pogacar considers Evenepoel the big favorite for the time trial. The route features nine kilometers of climbing, eight kilometers of descent, and nine kilometers of flat terrain. Meanwhile, Belgian sprinter Tim Merlier, winner of three stages, withdrew due to physical exhaustion.
Source report
With three high mountain stages still to be contested before arriving in Paris on Sunday, the Tour de France enters its final stretch this Tuesday with a demanding individual time trial. Belgian rider Remco Evenepoel (Red Bull) has a key card to play.
The Olympic champion and three-time world champion in the specialty could seize the overall lead if the day goes badly for Slovenian Tadej Pogacar (Emirates), or consolidate 2nd place and definitively secure a podium position. The time trial covers 26.1 km between Évian-les-Bains and Thonon-les-Bains.
"I'll try to win another stage, but attacking the lead will be difficult, as making up 5 minutes is unrealistic," said Evenepoel, 26, who won Sunday's stage and rose to 2nd overall following the crash and withdrawal of Dane Jonas Vingegaard (Visma), who fractured his collarbone and underwent surgery.
Pogacar also considers the Belgian a favorite for the time trial: "Evenepoel is the big candidate, one of the best in the specialty."
"There are nine kilometers of climbing, eight kilometers of descent, and nine kilometers of flat terrain, so it's a fairly complete time trial, with no reason to change bikes. The final part of the route will be long straight sections in Thonon-les-Bains," explained the Tour's sports director, Yannick Talabardon.
Meanwhile, Belgian sprinter Tim Merlier, winner of three stages, withdrew due to physical exhaustion.
Source
RecordWestern
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Evenepoel Aims to Challenge Pogacar in Tour de France Time Trial