Remco Evenepoel‘s triumph on the Volta ao Algarve time trial on Saturday was on account of loads of totally different elements, however his 62-tooth chainring he used for the 22-kilometre race towards the clock was actually the one which sparked most post-stage debate.
Evenepoel defined later, half-jokingly, that he had ‘stolen’ the concept of utilizing such a big single chainring from compatriot and time-trialling professional Victor Campenaerts (Lotto-Dstny).
Nonetheless, what made Soudal-QuickStep really put the concept into apply on the Volta ao Algarve, he added, was the rolling terrain that featured so closely on the time trial in and across the coastal city of Albufeira.
The advantages had been clear, he mentioned afterwards, together with his first TT win in his World Time Trial Champion’s jersey and taking on the lead of the Volta ao Algarve a double success on Saturday.
“The gearing made me undergo on the little steep climb on the course [with a gradient of up to 12% in places] the place I used to be undoubtedly on the restrict, however on the remainder of the course it was an actual benefit,” Evenepoel instructed reporters later.
“We adjusted my place a bit this winter and the mechanics and the efficiency staff had a take a look at the gearing as properly.”
“We made that alternative due to the course – it was a number of false flat downhill.”
“However our good pal Victor Campenaerts began this, we ‘stole’ it from him and it went very properly.”
Beforehand, Evenepoel mentioned the most important chainring he would use was a 60-tooth, however his now utilizing a 12-speed gearing made the larger ring doable. “With the only chainring, I’ve bought a 34×11 tooth sprocket set.”
“Which will all appear a bit tight, however the course was very quick and it lent itself to that sort of gearing. We needed to have an ideal setup.”
If his present race program stays the identical, Evenepoel could have three extra time trials as potential ‘gown rehearsals’ earlier than the Tour de France, at Paris-Good on stage 3’s TTT, the opening quick particular person race towards the clock within the Itzulia Basque Nation and the Criterium du Dauphiné’s 34.4-kilometre solo TT on stage 4. Whether or not he’ll use a 62-tooth chainring once more, although, stays to be seen.
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