ROUEN — Belgium’s Remco Evenepoel is aiming to seize the yellow jersey as Tour de France favourites face their first big test: a flat, rolling 33km time trial around Caen on Wednesday.
Evenepoel, a two-time world time trial champion and stage favourite, hopes to erase his 58-second deficit to leader Tadej Pogacar. “Tomorrow suits me very well. I’ll push as hard as I can,” he said after Tuesday’s stage.
Pogacar, who celebrated his 100th career win on Tuesday, and Jonas Vingegaard remain strong contenders, but Pogacar admits Evenepoel is the one to beat: “He’s the best time trialist in the world. I’ll go full gas and see where it puts me.”
Race director Thierry Gouvenou warned the stage could shake up the standings, with riders expected to lose or gain precious time on the fast Normandy course.
