Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl (Spain) - Press Release: The Belgian was again dominant and moved one step closer to Madrid.

Remco Evenepoel strengthened his grip on the general classification after taking the victory atop Alto del Piornal and becoming the youngest Belgian rider in the last 38 years to win multiple stages in a Grand Tour. It was Remco’s second success at the Vuelta, following the stage 10 ITT in Alicante, and one that helped him extend his advantage in the overall standings.

Leader of La Vuelta since the first week, Evenepoel did a flawless race, backed by a strong Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl team, who controlled the complicated stage 18 and made sure of escorting the 22-year-old in a perfect position at the bottom of the last climb. There, many attacks came from a fragmenting group that featured all the GC contenders, including Remco, who could rely on Fausto Masnada in the first kilometers of the ascent.

Photo credit: ©Tim De Waele / Getty Images.