Remco Evenepoel forced to ride savage final climb of Volta ao Algarve in big chainring

ALTO DO MALHAO, PORTUGAL - FEBRUARY 18: (L-R) Sepp Kuss of The United States and Team Visma | Lease a Bike, Daniel Felipe Martinez of Colombia and Team BORA - hansgrohe - Blue Mountain Jersey, Remco Evenepoel of Belgium and Team Soudal - Quick Step - Yellow leader jersey, Ben Healy of Ireland and Team EF Education - EasyPost and Sergio Higuita of Colombia and Team BORA - hansgrohe compete during the 50th Volta ao Algarve em Bicicleta 2024, Stage 5 a 165.8km stage from Faro to Alto do Malhao 514m on February 18, 2024 in Alto do Malhao, Portugal. (Photo by Dario Belingheri/Getty Images).

Remco Evenepoel had anything but an easy ride to a record-equalling third victory in the Volta ao Algarve on Sunday after a mechanical issue meant the Belgian was forced to tackle the final ascent of the race, the short but steep Alto de Malhao, on his big chainring.

Despite his setback, the Belgian could still claim an impressive second on the mountain-top finish, losing for a second straight time in three days in a summit sprint duel to Colombia’s Dani Martínez (Bora-Hansgrohe).