Vuelta: Remco Evenepoel takes red jersey, Primož Roglič stumbles

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For Remco Evenepoel, the first overall lead is in a grand tour

Photo:

ANDER GILLENEA / AFP

Remco Evenepoel (Quick.Step) has taken the overall lead at the Vuelta a España.

On the first mountain finish of the 77th edition of the Tour of Spain, the 22-year-old Belgian took second place after 181.2 kilometers.

The day's victory went to the Australian Jay Vine from the Alpecin-Deceuninck team.

At this year's Vuelta, with Evenepoel, there were already six different drivers in the overall leader's red jersey after six stages.

It was a foggy and rainy stage in which Evenepoel beat a group around defending champion Primož Roglič to climb Vine to the top of Ascensión al Pico Jano.

Follow San Miguel de Aguayo.

The Belgian finished 15 seconds after the stage winner, which was enough for the overall lead.

The German professional cyclist Nikias Arndt, who finished third overall the day before, didn't play a role this time and lost a lot of time.

"It's the best thing I've ever done"

Evenepoel is now 21 seconds ahead of previous leader Rudy Molard of France.

For the first time in his career he has taken the lead in a Grand Tour.

"I am proud.

A big dream has come true«, said Evenepoel, »this is the best thing I have ever done.«

Roglič, who drives for Team Jumbo-Visma, has won the Vuelta for the past three years in a row.

On the sixth stage, however, he apparently had problems on the final climb and finished fifth, just 1:12 minutes behind Evenepoel.

"I didn't have the legs to win," said Roglič: "I can see that the other drivers have gotten stronger."

On Friday, the Vuelta continues with the seventh stage over 190 kilometers from Camargo to Cistierna.

Big changes in the overall ranking are not to be expected then.

mrk/dpa/AP/rtr