Due to the weather conditions, the organizers of the Tour of Spain have decided that the times for the general classification of the 2nd stage will be taken at the top of Montjuïc, 3.6 km from the finish line, on Sunday.
Heavy rain falls on the Barcelona region, the scene of the 2nd stage, which starts from Mataró. After the climb to Montjuïc (0.9 km at 9.4%), a descent will take the runners towards the finish line in Barcelona. “Given the situation and after applying the meteorological protocol”, the organizers decided to take the times of the general at the top of the famous hill. The bonuses provided at the end of the last difficulty and at the end will be maintained. The classification of the stage will be established when crossing the line.
For his part, Remco Evenepoel did not hesitate to criticize the organization again. “It’s just as bad. It’s also bad,” Evenepoel said about the measure after Mataró’s departure. “Whether the time is recorded at the top or at the finish, it remains exactly the same. We had proposed recording the time at the start of the local circuit, but this proposal was completely rejected. Once again, I think this measure is a great lack of respect towards us. Especially after they had been able to hear us for once yesterday. But I repeat, this is not the case.”
Evenepoel, however, does not hide behind these circumstances: “If I have the chance and the legs, I will definitely fight to win. I think it’s a good race to do. I know the local circuit more or less well (since the Tour of Catalonia, where he won the Montjuïc stage in the spring, ed). Although it will be above all about staying upright, limiting the damage, not falling. It will again be eventful and complicated.”
