Remco Evenepoel (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) has dismissed suggestions that Tadej Pogačar's dominance of the Tour de France is 'boring', arguing that "we are witnessing history".
Evenepoel claimed his second successive stage victory of this Tour in Tuesday's stage 16 time trial, relegating Pogačar to a rare second place two stages in a row.
But the Belgian has no illusions that the momentum of this Tour de France is shifting, instead openly stating that he is racing for second place.
"Tadej is on his planet, with the others behind. I focus on my second place and will do everything to defend it and stay in my second place – that's my objective for ending the Tour de France," Evenepoel stated in his stage winner's press conference in Thonon.
Evenepoel was asked about the perceptions of Pogačar, with the four-time champion holding over a four-minute lead and counting four stage wins to his name – just the latest chapter in the Slovenian's dominance of a sport he is making look easy.
"To be honest, personally, I don't see it as boring," Evenepoel responded. "I see it as being super impressive, the performances that he's putting out. For me, I'm looking up to that, I try to learn from that, and I try to reach that level as well, which is not easy at all.
"He's a superstar, the best rider ever. I don't think people should consider it as boring. I understand if you watch TV and he goes whenever he wants, it's boring, but for us it's a challenge and a big honour to race against a champion like that. I understand if people think it's boring, but for me it's exciting to see it from very close by.
"You should not forget, we are witnessing history, maybe. He is going for a fifth Tour de France, which is going to be equal to the record, equal to history, so you should not consider that as boring at all."
Lipowitz will be 'very missed'
Evenepoel's delight at winning his second successive stage at this Tour de France and winning a time trial for a third straight Tour was tempered by the loss of his teammate Florian Lipowitz, who crashed out after misjudging a corner in Tuesday's time trial.
The leadership question appeared to have been settled within Red Bull even before Tuesday, with Evenepoel nearly two minutes clear of his teammate even before the time trial, where he was on course to add more than a minute.
However, Lipowitz had already stated his commitment to Evenepoel as leader and his absence for the three mountain stages that will decide the Tour de France podium in this final week is a significant blow.
"That's a very bittersweet pill for us to swallow," said Evenepoel, who found out a couple of minutes after finishing his ride and being told he'd won.
"We all make big sacrifices. With Lipo as well, we have been together in Sierra Nevada, in Livigno, and other altitude camps, and then in one stupid corner to crash out and probably break something, it's just super sad for him and for us as a team.
"You have to know Lipo is one of the best climbers in the world. For the stages coming, he will be very missed in the team."
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