'I made a mistake' – Remco Evenepoel suffers first Giro d'Italia setback

Remco Evenepoel could not match Primoz Roglic on the final climb of stage 8 of the Giro d'Italia
Remco Evenepoel could not match Primoz Roglic on the final climb of stage 8 of the Giro d'Italia (Image credit: Getty Images Sport)

Past the finish on Fossombrone's Viale dei Martiri della Resistenza, Remco Evenepoel's frustration was palpable. The time lost to Primož Roglič on stage 8 of the Giro d'Italia didn't appear to annoy him nearly as much as the manner of its concession.

When Roglič attacked on the steepest portion of I Cappuccini, his rear wheel seemed to flicker invitingly within Evenepoel's grasp. The Belgian couldn't fight his instinct to reach out and touch the flame, but instead of snuffing out Roglič's attack, he only burnt up his own resources.

Barry Ryan
Head of Features

Barry Ryan was Head of Features at Cyclingnews. He has covered professional cycling since 2010, reporting from the Tour de France, Giro d’Italia and events from Argentina to Japan. His writing has appeared in The Independent, Procycling and Cycling Plus. He is the author of The Ascent: Sean Kelly, Stephen Roche and the Rise of Irish Cycling’s Golden Generation, published by Gill Books.