Evenepoel bounces back at Vuelta with brilliant stage win

Defending champion Remco Evenepoel bounced back from his Vuelta a Espana meltdown the day before in the Pyrenees to take a superb victory on the mountainous 14th stage to the ski resort of Larra-Balagua on Saturday.

The Belgian rider’s general classification hopes may be over but he redeemed himself in style to hold off Romain Bardet after the two had broken away from an escape group on the Col Hourcere.

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France’s Bardet (DSM-Firmenich) stayed on the wheel of Evenepoel (Soudal Quick-Step) for the first half of the 9.5km climb to the finish but had no answer when the Belgian poured on the power with 3.5km remaining to win by more than a minute.