Belgium's Remco Evenepoel seals 'historic' Vuelta a Espana triumph

Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl's Remco Evenepoel hailed a moment of "history" for himself and Belgium as he confirmed his status as Vuelta a Espana champion on Sunday.

The 22-year-old was already poised to finish with the red jersey before stage 21, which saw riders traverse a 100.5km flat stage from Las Rozas to Madrid.

A total time of 80h 26' 59" saw Evenepoel end Belgium's 44-year wait for a Grand Tour general classification champion after Johan De Muynck's Giro d'Italia success in 1978.

"I don't know what's going through my head and my body right now. It's amazing," Evenopoel told reporters after sealing his maiden Grand Tour victory. "It really sinks in now. Yesterday the emotions were quite high, but you still have to finish the race.

"It's . . .