“He’s part of the group now, completely adapted” – Red Bull DS hails Remco Evenepoel’s seamless debut at Trofeo Ses Salines

For Remco Evenepoel, the stopwatch delivered the headline result, but inside Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe, the bigger takeaway from the Trofeo Ses Salines was how naturally their new leader slotted into place.

That was the clear message from sports director Patxi Vila, after Red Bull edged Movistar Team by just under four seconds to claim victory in the team time trial of the Challenge Mallorca.

“When you win, you always tend to say everything was perfect, but there were still some small mistakes that we can improve,” Vila said in conversation with Cycling Pro Net post-race.

“Overall though, it was a very good day for us. The boys were amazing, with a big commitment from everyone. It’s especially nice to win a team time trial because it really is a team effort,” Vila added.

Beyond the result, the Trofeo Ses Salines offered Red Bull an early test of cohesion following Evenepoel’s high-profile winter move. In Vila’s eyes, that test was passed convincingly.

“In a team time trial, having Remco is a big thing,” he said. “He can make a huge difference, and that’s why he’s wearing the jersey he’s wearing. We’re starting a new adventure with him and the team.”

What stood out most, however, was how quickly that transition has taken place.

“He’s part of the group now, completely adapted,” Vila added. “I see him happy, the boys are in a good mood, and that’s very positive. I think they enjoyed today, and as a consequence, we got this nice result.”

The narrow margin at the finish underlined just how finely balanced the contest was, but Vila resisted drawing broader conclusions beyond the immediate positives. For Red Bull, the priority was execution, trust and shared responsibility, all of which were on display as the clock stopped.

Asked about Evenepoel’s programme for the coming days, Vila kept things deliberately open, stressing that decisions would be made with the wider picture in mind rather than chasing early-season headlines.

For now, the verdict from inside the Red Bull camp is straightforward. A first outing, a first win, and a new leader who already looks settled. The bigger goals lie further down the road, but at Trofeo Ses Salines, the foundations of this new partnership were laid without fuss and with immediate reward.