Vuelta a Espana 2023 Stage 20 LIVE: Evenepoel in the hunt for his fourth stage win, Jumbo Visma set to secure Sepp Kuss's first overall win

GERAINT THOMAS: WOUT WOULD KICK MY ARSE IN A SPRINT

“I’m not surprised that he’s won the stage. He’s been in super form, at the Tour, and now here. When we were in the same team he’d always kick my arse in the sprint - that’s not that hard though, most people do. Still a bit of a surprise to beat Remco but great to see Wout win, even though he’s in a different team. He’s still a really good mate.”

Flanked by Jonas Vingegaard and Primoz Roglic, it's remarkable to see all three Grand Tour winners in line together, at the same Grand Tour. Whatever you think of how it unfolded in the past week, they've done it their way.

A group of ten negotiate the tricky roundabouts that make up the final yards of the last proper road stage of this race. There will be no significant changes. An American is set to win the Vuelta. Jumbo Visma, barring disaster, are due to win their third Grand Tour of the season.

It was very very close but experience won out in the end, much to Evenepoel's chagrin. Van Eetvelt led through the final corner just before the road narrowed, which was where Poels who, had been waiting and scheming from behind, made the jump. Coming out of the bend he had enough of a gap to give Evenepoel too much to do, and certainly he who had to do it. Although the Belgian was coming back, and there was almost nothing in it at the line, there was enough for the Dutchman to take his first Vuelta stage at 35 years old.

He looks steely and determined and doesn't seem to care who is in his company, but they're working reasonably well together for now. There are a few chasers that need to be fended off before they can start thinking about playing silly beggars.

Stamping their authority on the peloton as they hit the steepest parts of the final climb. Landa comes to the front, shares a glance with Roglic and immediately gets back in his box.

Can the others catch him? Just about, as Soler leads the line.

Including Evenepoel who locked on and reeled them in. What a finale we have in store.

Onto the descent and desperate to shake Evenepoel from his tail. How much did that chase take out of the King of the Mountains?

He's found something from somewhere, maybe he had a mechanical? That's the last person Poels wanted to see, but he's making it as hard for Evenepoel as possible, as Sanchez attacks Remco!

Chased by Soler and Sanchez, the pair up front have a good gap with 1km to go. Evenepoel is nowhere now.

14.5KM TO GO: POELS ATTACKS!

In the steep town section, into a corridor of excited spectators. No response from Remco, but Van Eetvelt can go with Poels, and does!

On the early cobbled section in town, handing over to Cattaneo, while Geraint Thomas is starting to slip backwards.

The Alto San Lorenzo de El Escorial. It's 4.5km long for an average of 6.5% but hiding some very steep ramps. If it doesn't happen here, it's not happening anywhere. Remco is having to hold himself back.

Into the Eco Zone, where riders are permitted to empty their pockets, and QuickStep are still every inch in control. Evenepoel is in third wheel behind team-mate's Cattaneo and Vervaeke. It seems certain now that they're all gambling on the final climb. Someone is going to regret not going earlier, I think.

30KM TO GO: QUICKSTEP MAKING IT TOO HARD TO ATTACK

Setting such a hard pace that the group is all lined out. Robbie says it's almost like a sprint lead-out. They're definitely setting Remco up for a grandstand finale.

That's port of the green cross, for you non-Spanish speakers. This one is 7.2km in length for an average gradient of just under 4%. There are some strong climbers still in this group, but they might have to wait until the real ramps of the final climb, as these ones look a little too gentle for them.

While Jumbo Visma are just cruising. Now north of nine, the margin is going to be more than ten minutes between stage winner and peloton by the finish. As they near the penultimate, Puerto de la Cruz Verde climb, James Knox has done all the damage he's going to, and hands over to Louis Vervaeke to continue poking this group in the kidneys.