Remco Evenpole (Quick-Step Alphavinil) succinctly described his current ability to tackle ultra steep slopes as "questionable," as he prevented the first Belgian rider to win the Valenciana Volta since Eddy Merckx in 1969 on Friday.

Nevertheless, it is not a bad result for the 22-year-old, as Evenpole finished second overall, led the race for two days, won a stage, and took the best young rider jersey in Valenciana, his first stage race of the season. Also not to be overlooked was his strong support for teammate Fabio Jacobsen in the sprint for Valenciana.

However, after losing the lead and the race to Alexandre Vlasov (Bora-Hansgrohe) on Friday on the difficult Antenas de Maigmo climb, Evenpoel also recognized that his true level has not yet been established when it comes to riding the most difficult climbs.

"I already had some difficulties on these climbs." Evenpoel told journalists after the finish in Valencia.

"For example, the "Zoncolan" at last year's Giro d'Italia. Up to the most difficult part, I was riding with other riders. So there's a question mark."

"But I think I showed the team that I could be useful in other areas. Like the lead-out, because we've done it three times here and won twice."

"But we still have some work to do on the steep slopes. I think it's important because in races like Pais Vasco (La Ituria, where Evenpoel will run in April) and Liege-Bastogne-Liege (Liege-Bastogne-Liege, where Evenpoel will run in April), the steep slopes are a key factor."

Evenepoel noted that unlike Vlasov, who is already in top form, he is not yet in top form, and that too could make a difference on the tough climbs. The Russian heads to the UAE Tour next week, and as Evenepoel said, "If you want to beat (Tadei) Pogachar (UAE Team Emirates), you have to be in top form."

For now, he said, "I think we have to accept what happened this week. I was able to stay with the others until the last kilometer. I have nothing to be ashamed of."

He also said, "I'm not ashamed to say that I'm not a good runner.

He said his week in Valenciana had gone very well overall, except for one difficult day in Antenas de Maigmo. Evenpoel was scheduled to compete again this week in the South American stage race he won two years ago, but had to cancel. Instead, he raced in Valenciana.

He said of the race, "It was a perfect start for me. I lost the yellow leader's jersey with one kilometer to go to the finish, and on Saturday I couldn't even sprint.

"But overall, I think the team deserves a 9 out of 10, we rode 3 out of 5 stages, we finished 2nd in the GC standings, we got the BYR jersey and Fabio's points jersey.

"The result is an 8 out of 10. For the work I did for Fabio, I would give it a 9 out of 10. Yesterday [Saturday] the finish was chaotic and I lost a sprint over a minor thing. Today I did a perfect job. I think I was able to deal well with the mistakes I made yesterday [Saturday]."

Asked, as many GC racers do, why he prefers to work for Jacobsen in the group sprint, Evenpell replied simply and frankly, "I think it's a good thing. When you have the best sprinter and lead-out man in the world, that is always a special motivation." [Mattia (Cattaneo) and Josef (Czerny) did a great job controlling the breakaway. When I saw them leading the three of us going into the final roundabout, I knew that nine times out of ten we had a chance to win. "

After Valenciana, Evenpoel will compete in the Volta ao Algarve, where he won the overall and two stages in 2020.