“A lot of teams will probably watch us and wait for our move” – Remco Evenepoel warns Amstel could turn cagey with all eyes on him

The shape of the men’s Amstel Gold Race 2026 may be decided as much by hesitation as aggression, with Remco Evenepoel already anticipating a tactical stand off before a pedal has even been turned in anger.

With several of the sport’s biggest names absent from the startlist, the burden of control has shifted firmly onto the shoulders of the Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe leader, a dynamic that could fundamentally alter how the race unfolds on the Limburg roads.

Speaking ahead of the race in conversation with Cycling Pro Net, Evenepoel made it clear that the redistribution of responsibility across the peloton could lead to a far more cautious finale than usual, even if he believes the race is typically at its best under different circumstances.

“It’s always better to have multiple favourites at the start. There are still guys who can win, of course, but when the attention is spread, the final can be more open and more chaotic. Now, a lot of teams will probably watch us and wait for our move,” he explained.

That expectation of being marked rather than marking others is central to the Belgian’s outlook. Without the presence of riders such as Tadej Pogacar, Mathieu van der Poel and Wout van Aert, the usual balance of power has shifted.

Rather than multiple teams sharing responsibility in the decisive phases, the peloton is more likely to look towards Evenepoel and his team to dictate the key moves. That, in turn, raises the prospect of a slower burn towards the finale, where hesitation and second-guessing could play as big a role as outright strength.

Evenepoel acknowledged that dynamic, but also hinted at the contrast with how he believes the race can unfold when responsibility is shared more evenly across the peloton. “It’s always better to have multiple favourites at the start… when the attention is spread, the final can be more open and more chaotic,” he said, underlining how the absence of several major contenders could ultimately narrow the race rather than open it up.

Evenepoel stopped short of revealing exactly how he intends to break that pattern. “We have our plan and strategy, and we’ll try to go for it. At the end of the day, we’ll see if the tactics were good,” he added, before replying with a smile when pressed on where he might attack: “I cannot reveal that, I’m sorry.”

Beyond the immediate tactical picture, the Amstel Gold Race remains a clear personal objective in Evenepoel’s career. While last year’s result provides added motivation, he framed his ambition in broader terms rather than as simple revenge.

“Not necessarily because of last year. It’s just a race I would really like to win in my career,” he said. “Of course, last year gives that extra small push to do better this time, but it’s a very beautiful race and I really like this type of parcours.”

Preparation for the Ardennes block has followed a familiar pattern, with a short reset after the Tour of Flanders followed by a focused training block in Spain. “I had a bit of rest after Flanders, but I was always on the bike. Then I went to Spain for the last preparations. Everything went pretty well, we had good weather and enjoyed our time there, so everything should be good,” he explained.

In a separate pre-race interview with the Belgian media pre-race, Evenepoel admitted that his build-up from Flanders to Amstel hasn't been totally issue free. As shown by the fact he takes to the start with a cold sore.

"That cold sore appeared immediately after the Tour," he explained. "I usually get them when something isn't quite breaking through or when I'm building up to peak form. Hopefully, it's the latter."

The tension between control and chaos is nothing new at Amstel, a race whose layout often resists domination from a single rider or team. Yet the absence of several major contenders has sharpened that dilemma this year.

If Evenepoel and Red Bull take responsibility early, they risk setting up the race for opportunists. If they wait, they invite the very stalemate he has predicted.

Either way, the Belgian finds himself at the centre of the race before it has even begun, a position that could define not just his own chances, but the entire character of the 2026 edition.