On the fifth day, Lo Port appeared, the peak of peaks in the Volta a Catalunya. In the toughest edition in history, with three summit finishes and two medium-mountain stages, this solemnly crucial climb emerged to fulfill the multitude of expectations generated. The ecstasy came thanks to another herculean effort from the two giants of the race, Roglic and Evenepoel. A duel without carbines in a place where the greens are less dark and the forests not so lush, but whose ports full of gorges form saw teeth sharpened by the erosion of history. He overwhelmed Evenepoel with his irresistible proposal. Roglic won by experience and by a legendary final rush that has left so many corpses in its wake for years. Ten seconds that mean a world, and surely the final victory, in this millimeter battle. Neither could Mikel Landa keep up with the Portuguese Almeida, who is optimistic about the podium in Barcelona.
The squad woke up in Tortosa, the city on the Ebro River, which upon its arrival in the capital of the region that bears its name, Baix Ebre, is going through its last stretch of life. It is the city of renaissance due to its formidable architectural composition, but also the nirvana of the bicycle, with more than 50 routes of all levels. And if Tortosa is a paradise for two wheels, Lo Port is an Olympus for climbers. A summit designed with iconic horseshoe curves, the kind that evoke the great French mountains where the history of cycling has been written.
9.4 kilometers with an average slope of 8% and maximum ramps of 20%. There Roglic and Evenepoel were cited, two exponents of completely antagonistic generations. Ten years apart contemplate both brokers, who have decided to link their stocks in the coming months. One is still in clear growth, the other has already been relegated by his team to second sword, but threatens this year with a second youth.
From the start of the stage, Soudal took command of the peloton. Evenepoel had 175 kilometers ahead to figure out how to achieve that second advantage with Roglic that would make the difference. Six men: Azurmendi, Castrillo, Parra, Grmay, Amezqueta and Carretero, were the brave men who challenged the gods. But his advantage, not exceeding three minutes, never worried.
The port has arrived. A butchery. The Ethiopian Grmay left alone until Mader began working for Landa and then Hirtz for Evenepoel. But before the Belgian could do his thing, he attacked Marc Soler. At his wheel the two colossi reared up. A battle of three, with arreones from Schepdaal, until a heroism from Almeida turned the trio into a quartet. Soler was in charge of securing the podium for the Portuguese.
And the final battle came. He came out of the Roglic cave with a first attack that cleaned up the run. It was already a one-on-one. The bravado of both multiplied in the last kilometer. The Slovenian, smart as well as intelligent, touched bone and Evenepoel unleashed all his fury with 600 meters to go. Too soon. He held the leader to the wheel and with 100 to go he offered his typical display in high finals. The Belgian exploded 20 meters from the finish line, which turned into 6 seconds and a defeat that no one will forget.
