Evenepoel beats Roglič by 34 seconds, among others.
On July 5 at around 11 p.m. Beijing time, the 2024 Tour de France Stage 7 (Neuilly-sur-Seine Individual Time Trial) concluded with a thrilling finish. Campenaerts (Lotto team) held the provisional lead for a long while until Roglič displaced him. Soon after, “Big Ring” Evenepoel crossed the line 34 seconds ahead of Roglič and the rest, leaving Pogačar unable to challenge him. Eventually, Evenepoel emerged as the stage winner. Let’s review the race.
Prelude to the Race
Philipsen. After being penalized for an illegal move during the sprint battle in Stage 6, Philipsen apologized on social media, key points:
1. I apologize, but it wasn’t intentional; it was instinctive contact as a professional sprinter;
2. I love fair competition, especially in a race like the Tour de France;
3. Thanks to Team Jumbo-Visma, I’ll keep giving my all.
Start Order. The race started in reverse order of the general classification, with 174 riders participating. Cavendish began at 7:05 p.m. Beijing time, followed by one-minute intervals for each rider until Sivakov at position 129. Then, two-minute intervals were applied, highlighting notable riders like Vingegaard (22:56 p.m.), Evenepoel (22:58 p.m.), and Pogačar (23:00 p.m.).
The race kicked off in Neuilly-sur-Seine amidst cheering crowds. Starting last in the GC was Cavendish, followed by Molkov one minute later and then the remaining riders.
As the riders took turns, the leaderboard kept improving, with times dipping below 33 minutes. With Baisegger (EF Education team) setting a time of 30:06, attention turned to who could break the 30-minute barrier.
Shortly after, 83rd starter Van Aert encountered a mechanical issue and was forced to withdraw from the contest, while Wout van Aert set a new benchmark of 29:44.54, securing the hot seat. Stefan Kung then faced his own mechanical problems.
▲Van Aert
▲Campenaerts
With Campenaerts’ start, the time trial specialist posted a time of 29:44.18, maintaining the lead. No subsequent riders managed to surpass him, and he humorously commented on his team’s support and equipment while sitting comfortably in the hot seat.
Campenaerts held onto the top spot for over an hour before the main GC favorites took to the course. Roglič, the 35-year-old veteran, gave it his all, clocking in at 29:26 and dethroning Campenaerts.
▲Roglič
Vingegaard attempted to match the pace, initially leading Roglič but losing ground in the final flat stretch, finishing with 29:29. He later explained that he focused on the climb and let the flats take care of themselves, looking forward to upcoming stages.
▲Vingegaard
As the penultimate rider, Evenepoel demonstrated his prowess, recording a stunning 28:52, a 34-second advantage over Roglič, claiming the hot seat.
▲Evenepoel
Pogačar, undeterred, raced hard, trailing Evenepoel by 18 seconds at the second climb and only recouping six seconds on the flats, ultimately finishing in 29:04. This marked Evenepoel’s triumphant entry into the elite ranks of time trial winners in all three Grand Tours.
▲Pogačar
Post-race, Pogačar claimed the yellow jersey, Gilmore the green, Abrahamson the polka dot, and Evenepoel the white. Stage 8 (Semur-en-Auxois – Colombier-de-Grancey) on July 6 promises more excitement.