"He can gain a minute to a minute and a half on Pogacar" - Remco Evenepoel backed to re-ignite Tour de France yellow jersey battle
Cycling
Remco Evenepoel moved into second place in the Tour de France general classification on Sunday. After a stage 15 victory, beating Tadej Pogacar and Isaac de Toro on a mountain-top finish at Plateau de Solaison, after Jonas Vingegaard's crash before the climb.
The Dane has been Pogacar's biggest rival over the last six Tour de France, and had put his Visma | Lease a Bike team to work during the stage before a roundabout turn saw him crash hard and break his collarbone, ending his race.
As the peloton regrouped in the following kilometers, Visma stopped pacing and the general classification contenders process the change in their eco-system, a new race formed on the slopes of the climb.
And Evenepoel excelled, following Pogacar and del Toro's pace as the other GC riders felt the pace. Looking comfortable throughout, the Belgian marked two attacks from the Mexican champion and then sprinted to the win - holding off Pogacar behind.
However, with many writing off Evenepoel's chances of mounting a challenge for the yellow jersey, Stef Clement doesn't want to write off the GC battle just yet.
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Evenepoel's new approach
"That is polite," Clement said on the NOS Cycling podcast. "But there is also actually a factor whose effect we do not yet know."
On the topic of Evenepoel's renewed approach with coach Tim Heemskerk, former trainer of Vingegaard, hinting that we could see a stronger Evenepoel in the final week.
"We don't know the effect of that approach on such a great champion. It is quite possible that he will be at his best in the third week."
Although the tide has not turned and no rider has put time into Pogacar, the Red Bull - BORA Hansgrohe rider did become the first rider to beat the Slovenian to the win in a mountain stage since Vingegaard in 2024.
For the first time in his career, Remco Evenepoel directly beat Tadej Pogacar
Clement backs Evenepoel to close gap in time trial
However, a time trial looms. Evenepoel's favoured terrain could see him pick up some time on Pogacar and his fellow GC rivals. For Clement, if Evenepoel was to gain time, it's all to play for.
He added: "He can gain a minute to a minute and a half on Pogacar there too. You never know with Pogacar, because it can go either way. But the tide could easily turn into a minute and a half. And yes, then suddenly you are three and a half minutes behind Pogacar."
He concluded: "Then it suddenly becomes exciting after all. If Evenepoel really improves, while Pogacar has to hold on to what he has, then we will have a real duel. Then I still think it’s possible."
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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