Tour of Belgium 2021 news - Evenepoel secures Belgian Tour success, Cavendish takes emotional sprint win

ByEurosport

Published 13/06/2021 at 15:48 GMT

Remco Evenepoel retained the blue jersey to secure an overall general classification win and take the Tour of Belgium, to continue his build-up to Tokyo 2021. Mark Cavendish was competing in the tour for the first time and took the 151st success of his stella career with an emotional celebration.

Remco Evenepoel secured an overall success at the final stage of the Tour of Belgium.

The Deceuninck-QuickStep rider had led the overall classification after winning the time trial on the second stage and measured teamwork saw him retain the blue jersey all the way to the end in Beringen on Sunday.

Evenepoel’s team-mate Yves Lampaert finished second and Gianni Marchand (Tarteletto-Isorex) third, but even his victory was overshadowed by Mark Cavendish’s sensational sprint victory.

Tour de France

Evenepoel trying to enjoy 'mid-season break' after crash, targets Tour de France

19/04/2024 at 18:04

• Ewan wins back-to-back Tour of Belgium stages
• 'It's something I'm thinking about' - Lefevere reveals plan to take Cavendish to Tour

The 38-year-old was handed a fast lead-out and used all his experience to make it 151 career win – in his first Tour of Belgium – and showed all his emotion as he crossed the line.

“We were talking at the beginning of the week that this actually has more in the sprint field than a grand Tour," he told Eurosport.

"We knew it was going to be hard.

“Usually we are the dominant team and we were caught out because there are so many teams here, all going for the same spot.

“We were all disappointed with the other day so we all just dialled in today."

Remco Evenepoel won the Tour of Belgium

Image credit: Getty Images

Evenepoel's overall classification eased his recent Giro d’Italia disappointment and now he has his eyes set on Tokyo 2020.

“For me, this means a real lot. After my comeback and my long, long rehabilitation, hard training and a lot of setbacks as well, it feels amazing,” he said

“It’s a big relief to win the TT and the GC, too. It shows I’m on the right track to return to my top level.”

Cycling

Cavendish set to return from illness at Tour of Turkey as Tour de France preparation continues

18/04/2024 at 08:42

Itzulia Basque Country

Evenepoel discharged from hospital after successful collarbone surgery

07/04/2024 at 20:42

Itzulia Basque Country

Evenepoel crashes after sliding out in corner

00:00:12

|

01/04/2024 at 15:07