“I no longer see Evenepoel losing the runner-up spot” - Bruyneel backs Red Bull rider to finish Tour de France strongly
CyclingWednesday, 22 July 2026 at 14:30
The Évian time trial confirmed Remco Evenepoel’s outstanding form. The Belgian champion dominated stage 16 of the Tour de France from start to finish and, for Johan Bruyneel, there are few doubts left about his position on GC.
“Honestly, I no longer see Remco losing that second place,” said the former sports director on the The Move+ podcast. “He’s climbing very well, his form keeps trending up and, above all, he’s mentally very strong.”
Bruyneel recalled that even they had doubts before the Tour about the Belgian’s chances of making the podium: “We were also among those who didn’t see Remco finishing on the podium. And now he’s second.”
While stressing that nobody wishes the leader to abandon, Bruyneel pointed to a cycling reality: “The Tour de France finishes in Paris. If you’re second and rock solid there, if something happens to the favourite, you’re next in line to win.”
Spencer Martin agreed and noted that both Vingegaard and Pogačar have already endured tricky moments during this edition: “Yesterday we saw what happened to Jonas and today Pogacar nearly crashed on the same corner where Lipowitz went down. Being second matters a lot.”
A preparation now paying off
Bruyneel also wanted to highlight the work Evenepoel has done all season. He recalled that the Belgian arrived at the Tour after 64 days without racing, a decision that raised plenty of doubts at the time: “It seems they knew exactly what they were doing. He was a touch short in week one, but he’s grown into spectacular form.”
He also noted that Evenepoel’s recent seasons were marked by crashes and injuries.
“It’s been a long time since he had a clean run-in to a big objective.”
For Bruyneel, there’s no debate about who currently rules the TTs. “Remco has won the last 19 pure individual time trials he’s started.”
The Belgian explained it’s not just about power: “He probably has the most perfect aerodynamic position in the peloton, and nobody has worked that position as much as he has.”
Martin summed up that dominance in a simple line: “He’s very close to perfection.”
Tadej Pogacar, in the Tour de France time trial.
Pogačar did exactly what he had to
Although he lost 28 seconds to Evenepoel, Bruyneel saw no issue with the Tour leader’s ride: “He didn’t need to do any more. He delivered a very solid time trial.”
The former director believes Pogačar eased once he realised he couldn’t fight for the stage win and, above all, after seeing Florian Lipowitz crash.
Martin added: “If you’re already fourteen seconds down at the second intermediate, it’s not worth taking risks to claw back a few seconds.”
Del Toro keeps impressing as they discuss Remco signing
One of the most praised riders was Isaac Del Toro. Bruyneel admitted he expected a bigger time loss against his direct rivals: “He’s not known as a top time trial specialist, but today he produced an excellent ride.”
The Mexican conceded only five seconds to Tobias Foss (Sixas), further strengthening his chances of finishing on the podium and taking the white jersey. One debate on the show centred on the Belgian’s multimillion move to Red Bull.
Bruyneel admitted the cost still seems very high, but recognised the results are starting to justify the investment.
“If he ends up second at the Tour and wins two stages, right now you can say the signing has been worth it.”
He went further when assessing the commercial impact: “As a sponsor, I find Remco Evenepoel much more attractive than Jonas Vingegaard. He has a personality that generates a lot of interest.”
Remco Evenepoel and Tadej Pogacar, Tour de France favourites
UAE want to win absolutely everything
The commentators also read that UAE are not only chasing yellow. Bruyneel believes the team classification is clearly among their goals.
“It’s obvious they’re going for the team classification. Otherwise, some riders wouldn’t have ridden such a demanding time trial.”
Looking to the next day, both agreed the breakaway will have a big chance. Bruyneel expects an enormous battle in the first hour of racing: “The first fifty kilometres are going to be incredibly aggressive.”
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Martin, however, thinks the sprinters’ teams can still keep things under control: “The more I look at the route, the more I think it could even end in a sprint.”
As for favourites, Bruyneel tipped Mathieu van der Poel, while Martin picked Quinn Simmons as a potential winner from the break. This format is much closer to AS, Marca, Relevo or Cyclingnews, because the thread is built around Bruyneel and Martin’s quotes rather than a simple podcast recap.
Gavin QuinnCycling Journalist
Gavin Quinn is a cycling journalist and ultra-distance cyclist with a BA in Journalism from Dublin City University. Formerly the Press & Communications Officer for Cycling Ireland, Gavin has worked inside the national team at the World Championships and has reported for the Irish Mirror, Mirror UK, and The42.
His expertise is backed by elite-level access, having interviewed stars like Sam Bennett and Ben Healy, as well as immense personal endurance. In 2025, he completed a 12,000km solo cycle from Ireland to Vietnam, following a 4,600km tour across Europe. From the cobbles of Paris-Roubaix to the gradients of the Tourmalet, Gavin’s writing focuses on the "romance and brutality" of the sport. Having visited 50+ countries, he brings a global, cultural perspective to his coverage of the pro peloton for CyclingUpToDate.
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- Funny headline choice. I guess Isolated in a group of 36 leading sounds more dramatic than surrounded by his team in a trailing peloton. Yet for other GC contenders the big issue was that they missed getting into the lead group.Mistermaumau22-07-2026
- Afrikaans?Jumpyjohn22-07-2026
- No, Remco won yesterdays ITT fair and square... Pogi was second. He even said: "Today Remco was a rocket."mus-musculuspeedypogigonzales22-07-2026
- Hey Mistermause, Pogi and Torito will figure it out.mus-musculuspeedypogigonzales22-07-2026
- Thanks Andrew...I know I'm cool... LOL...mus-musculuspeedypogigonzales22-07-2026
- Usual suspectsMistermaumau22-07-2026
- So what happens to your mini Pog DT then?Mistermaumau22-07-2026
- Too many problems to solve over at MandisU to focus on cycling.Mistermaumau22-07-2026
- That’s kind of BS MM! You should inform yourself before spewing crap out. Maybe it wasn’t at the time yours was but they can’t do everyone simultaneously. The fact you got chosen is kind of proof the criteria aren’t as suspicious as some make out since neither you nor your team are particularly dangerous in any racing aspect. 150+ other riders also haven’t had 5am sessions, why pick out a single rider?Mistermaumau22-07-2026
- E20,900 so far...... some teams haven't earned that in prize money yet, maybe need to list the UCI Fines in the total prize fundsslappers6622-07-2026
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