Remco Evenepoel continues to rewrite the history of cycling. Less than a week after the extraordinary second place he secured at the Tour de France behind Tadej Pogacar, the Belgian superstar has added another jewel to an already extraordinary palmares, winning the Clásica San Sebastián for the fourth time and becoming the most successful rider ever in the history of the Basque race.

A unique record, built over seven years. The first victory came in 2019, when he was just 19 years old and the cycling world was beginning to discover the talent of the young Belgian. Then victories in 2022 and 2023, leading to today's masterpiece, which allows him to definitively overtake Marino Lejarreta and become the sole holder of the record.

A victory that seemed destined to slip away when misfortune struck at the worst possible moment. After the descent of Jaizkibel, just before the grueling climb of Erlaitz, Evenepoel was forced to stop due to a puncture. An incident that could have definitively compromised his race.

While his rivals continued to push ahead, the Olympic champion suddenly found himself chasing.

"After that puncture I had to make up almost two minutes. On that climb I was forced to pedal harder than the men who were in front. Fortunately I stayed calm and in the end everything went the right way" said the Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe rider after the race.

The comeback, however, was made even more complicated by the decisions of the Commissaires. On what happened, the Belgian commented: "The jury today wasn't particularly lenient. A barrier of cars formed immediately. It wasn't simple to get back in those conditions".

For a few minutes the dream of the record seemed to fade away. But great champions always find a way to turn the race around.

Fundamental was the work of Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe, which brought their captain back to the front positions. "I have to thank the whole team for bringing me back to the front. And Maxim Van Gils was really very strong in the final. It wasn't exactly the scenario we had imagined before the start, but in the end I had to close the work personally" recounted the Olympic champion.

On the final climb only Richard Carapaz managed to resist his acceleration. The Ecuadorian tried to surprise him by launching the final sprint, but Evenepoel had already understood that the race was in his hands: "When I launched my attack I immediately understood that I would win. It was truly a fantastic day. I had already said it to Maxim during the race too. Despite everything that had happened fifty kilometers before the finish line, the sensations were excellent".

The most emotional moment of the day came right after the finish line. Evenepoel let himself go in the arms of his wife Oumi, sharing with her all the tension accumulated during a race that had risked taking a completely different turn.

Now, however, he can finally allow himself a few days of rest. After conquering a record destined to enter the history of the Clásica San Sebastián, Evenepoel is already thinking about his next objectives. "First of all I'll take some rest. Then I'll return to altitude to prepare for the World Championships. The goal is to become world champion". All without losing his usual sense of humor. "But it's not like I'm going to start eating french fries every day now. Otherwise I'd put those four kilos I lost right back on".

The fourth victory at San Sebastián certifies once again the extraordinary growth of the Belgian champion. After proving at the Tour de France that he can compete stably with the world's best climbers, Evenepoel continues to enrich his palmares with a race that now seems to belong to his personal history. From that nineteen-year-old boy who amazed everyone in 2019, to the superstar capable today of conquering an all-time record, the bond between Remco Evenepoel and the Clásica San Sebastián has become something unique. And it cannot be ruled out that the record could continue to rise.