“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
Cycling
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.
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Favourite status reshapes the race dynamic
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.”
Can Evenepoel take advantage of Van der Poel, Pogacar and Van Aert all being absent?
A race he still wants to conquer
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.
A cold sore causing issues?
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."
Control or chaos on the Limburg roads?
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.
Kieran WoodDeputy Editor-in-Chief
Kieran Wood is a sports journalist based in Wales and has been active in journalism since 2022. He regularly contributes to DartsNews.com and CyclingUpToDate.com, where he covers professional cycling and darts. In cycling, his work includes liveblogs from major races, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, alongside race reports and analysis. He has also conducted interviews with professional riders.
His reporting spans the full racing calendar, from one-day classics to stage races, with a focus on accurate, real-time coverage and clear contextual analysis. For statistics, results, and historical context, he regularly uses resources such as ProCyclingStats. To support reporting on rider activity and training context where relevant, he also references Strava.
In his work, Kieran places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles as new, verified information becomes available.
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- Hmmm, you seem to have a very convenient black and white view of things. Perhaps you haven’t been around much to discover how complex problems can become over time with people who know how to control, manipulate (or worse) others so gradually or subtly that you arrive at an irresolvable situation before you realise. This is how many inconveniences get introduced to the young, naïve, passionate or “desperate”, knowing they are not armed, protected or strong enough to defend themselves once it’s too late. Why do you think omerta culture is so widespread, why do you think so many people continue to go through so many awful things in life that others can’t understand anyone getting into? Life may be far more jolly for you but you would do well to understand (or reflect more on) the real world to refrain from being so quick to criticise those in a hard spot that may have genuine reason for speaking out.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- Seriously do you think when somebody gets into a serious accident, the ambulance is called by the hurt person?🤦 there is always a buddy system in place for a risky job. police , firefighters etc so that if someone gets hurt, the other call that in.abstractengineer07-11-2026
- I get the point totally. We live in the snowflake society where some riders forget they are getting paid to ride and get results. When they have a few issues they try to look outside of the real issue instead of themselves. It odd so many of the team are making no complaints and getting on with their job. If you do not like what you do find another job simples. Tough love as my mum would say.paultryan200207-11-2026
- many people advise him to grow slowly and rather do giro and/or vuelta instead of tdf. but i can totally understand that he is not satisfied with taking over once pogi declines, but instead beat him in his prime. so if he goes for tdf again, i‘m all for it. let‘s hope that pogi recovers soon!Ketterechts07-11-2026
- So gracious to offer something no-one would be prepared to pay for. The Giro is not the Tour and doesn’t command the same interest or attract the same “elite” (those willing to pay to be a part of something they consider has ego boosting potential). Roadside viewing will always largely remain free for everyone outside circuits. Introduction of a symbolic entrance to mountain climbs is worthy of exploration. Asking 1-2€ isn’t going to repulse real fans (most will spend 50-100€ on their outing that day all things included) but will prevent a portion of the total knobhead thrillseekers who will join in any large gathering as long as it’s free, just because they’re attracted to crowds, without which it it difficult for them to work up their anti-social behaviour.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- How is radio going to help when someone went over a cliff or bridge or off the roadside into a forest unnoticed and is laying there unconscious?Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- Yep, next we’ll be accusing F1 drivers of avoiding Le Mans.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- But on what is that opinion based? Are you holding him to a different standard than others? Are you saying he should do learn to like something he doesn’t Are you saying he hasn’t achieved enough Are you saying he pretends to be better than his results? It’s actually a really strange opinion to oust if you consider it objectively or rationally. Try applying it to others or yourself by asking if not EVERYONE should then be doing more? Nobody in athletics or swimming gets criticism for not expanding their repertoire when a rival or someone else does. In fact, most who move to another event get accused of running from their rival. Opinions are boring, the reasons behind them are what count.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- for a medical chief to throw things like is just bad. There are already radios which were banned for spectacle. allow radios. Gps trackers are not a complete solutionabstractengineer07-11-2026
- any rider less than 25 whether they are really ready for the position of leadership of GT is probably not the case. I think Pogi himself suffered when he was defeated by Jonas in the TDF twice. But that would be the team's job to ensure support so that they can bounce back. It requires a team and time to get back up and win after getting knocked down.abstractengineer07-11-2026
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