A New Era for Remco Evenepoel: A Bold Shift in Tour de France Strategy
Remco Evenepoel, the Olympic road race and time trial champion, is gearing up for a radical change in his approach to the Tour de France. After seven years with Soudal Quick-Step, he's joining Red Bull-Bora-hansgrohe in 2026. This move signifies not just a new team, but a completely new strategy for the prestigious race. But here's where it gets interesting...
Evenepoel will no longer be the sole leader of his team. Instead, he'll be sharing the spotlight with teammate Florian Lipowitz. Lipowitz, who impressively finished third in his Tour debut this summer, adds a new dimension to the team's tactics. This two-pronged approach is a significant departure for Evenepoel, who has been accustomed to having the entire team dedicated to supporting him.
Speaking at Red Bull's 2026 season launch in Mallorca, Evenepoel acknowledged the adjustment. "It will be the first time I go to a Grand Tour with double leadership, and it’s the best way for us to do well," he stated. They plan to participate in races and training camps together to build synergy.
Evenepoel highlighted the contrasting styles of the two riders. "We are both different types of riders in terms of tactics and decisions in the race, and we can only try and go for it and see how it goes." He added that having multiple leaders often benefits Grand Tours. The team will decide who participates in the Tour, adapting their tactics accordingly. Their goal is to achieve the highest possible ranking, whether it's Evenepoel or Lipowitz on the podium.
Evenepoel and Lipowitz are set to debut together at March’s Volta a Catalunya, promising an entertaining performance. "There are multiple tactics that we can use… and I think two completely different styles when they come together can be a very good combination," Evenepoel shared.
The Road Ahead: Facing Tadej Pogačar and Beyond
The 2026 Tour de France will likely see Tadej Pogačar as the frontrunner. Evenepoel and Lipowitz have set their sights on closing the gap to the Slovenian. Evenepoel emphasizes the importance of a strong team and a vision for future success. He aims to improve personally, leveraging the new insights gained from his new team.
The race will kick off with a 19.7km team time trial in Barcelona, where riders can separate from their team in the final kilometer. Evenepoel is aiming to secure an early stage win and potentially take the yellow jersey on day one. To prepare, he'll participate in a 26km team time trial in the Challenge Mallorca races in late January.
A Critical Eye on the Course
Evenepoel expressed his disappointment with the limited time trialing kilometers, specifically mentioning the lack of a real time trial. He is focused on a "normal" racing schedule, with the Tour and the World Championships as the primary objectives. He's aiming for a strong performance in the World Championships, particularly in the time trial and road race, with the goal of achieving a double victory.
Controversy Alert: Do you think a dual-leadership strategy will pay off for Evenepoel and Lipowitz? Will their different styles complement each other, or could it lead to internal conflicts? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
