2022 Vuelta a España Stage 20 Results & Recap
Stage 20 of the 2022 Vuelta a España is in the books. The final results and standings are below, followed by our recap of how the race unfolded.
Race Recap
Carapaz wins three
Richard Carapaz (IGD) took his third win at the Vuelta a Espana after locking in the king of the mountains jersey. Carapaz attacked on the final climb and rode Sergio Higuita (BOH) off his wheel. He had a late challenge from Thymen Arensman (DSM), but held him off to finish off a complicated stage.
"Yes [it’s the best of the three victories]. I was targeting this day, I knew it was very important," Carapaz said. "We knew it was a super hard stage because there were so many things at play, especially in the GC. I rode my way, being smart, making my moves when I had to. Then I enjoyed a lot of support from the breakaway riders, it was very important for me, and in the end I knew I could attack in the finale and win here. The truth is I’m very moved, it’s a very nice victory for me. Above all, I think it shows the type of rider I am. To fight for the KOM was one of goals. At the start, without going crazy, I went in the splits, I tried to be up there. Then we knew it was a very hard stage and riders were losing ground. For me, it’s spectacular to be able to win a stage with this jersey which means a lot to me. I’m very moved. Today I saw a lot of Ecuadorians cheering for me on the roads. I hope they enjoyed the race."
Remco Evenepoel (QST) finished his race securing the red jersey.
"I don’t know what’s going through my head and my body right now," Evenepoel said. "It’s amazing. All the critics and the bad comments I received after last year, I think I answered with my pedals. I’ve been working so hard to come here in the best shape possible. To now win this Vuelta is just amazing. It’s actually the first Grand Tour I start healthy. I’m really happy to be the first guy to win a Grand Tour for Patrick [Lefevere] as a CEO and for Belgium, for my country, for my teammates, for my parents, for my fiancee… I’ve been away from home so many days, so many weeks, so many months. And it’s all thanks to them as well. I was really stressed this morning. I didn’t sleep too much last night. You know what’s coming to you and it was a super tough stage. I’m just super happy that I’ve won La Vuelta. Today I responded with the legs. I didn’t think about winning the stage, I just wanted to win the general classification. I only had to follow, to control and believe in my power. In the end the race was super hard but we did really well. Yes, it’s the most beautiful day of my life. It’s an amazing year. Winning a Monument [Liège-Bastogne-Liège], winning San Sebastian again, winning two stages and the GC, and then getting married in the winter… I think it’s the best year I can imagine and wish for."
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