"I think the Remco we saw in this tour is the best version ever" - Patxi Vila backs Evenepoel to achieve bigger victories after Tour de France
CyclingSunday, 26 July 2026 at 21:26
Red Bull - BORA Hansgrohe and Remco Evenepoel leave the 2026 Tour de France satisfied after they picked up a second place general classification and two stage wins as the curtain closed on the 2026 Tour.
Sports director Patxi Vila believes that we are witnessing the best version of Evenepoel as he signalled that there's more to come from him as he solidified his status as a genuine GC rider in a grand tour.
Evenepoel picked up two stage wins in France - a first road race win at La Grand Boucle followed by a decisive time trial victory. Finishing some way off yellow jersey Tadej Pogacar, he was best of the rest after Jonas Vingegaard crashed out of the race.
For Vila, it's a team effort. He's proud to have seen Red Bull leave their mark on the race as they featured prominently in the final week in support of the Belgian.
"Yeah, we came to the tour with the main goal of, yeah, trying to step into the podium. And win a stage. We go out with second place and two stage wins," told TNT Sports after the race.
"But also, I would say, you know, that last part of the week being protagonist with the team, you know, clearly improving the performance and clearly being better. So I think we can be completely satisfied. I am, as I think we all are."
Red Bull lost Lipowitz in final week
On stage 16, things looked very different as Florian Lipowitz crashed out during stage 16's time trial. Breaking his collarbone, the German team lost their co-leader who was sitting in fifth place at the time. Vila recognises the blow but adds that 'Lipo' is recovering well.
"Who knows what would have been if we could have put two riders in the podium. Unfortunately that's cycling also. Lipo is recovering well and yeah, he will come back stronger than ever."
His best result in the Tour after his 2024 podium finish, Vila thinks Evenepoel is capable of going one better in the future - claiming that the version of the multiple time world champion is the best of his career.
Patxi Vila
Best version of Evenepoel
He declared: "I think Remco himself also showed and proved that he can aim for big things, even bigger than ever, perhaps. I think the Remco we saw in this tour is the best version ever."
Further exploring Evenepoel's advancements since joining the team over winter, Vila thinks his versatility is his biggest asset for a grand tour.
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"I think yes, at this moment, also what he wants to become, you know, he really likes Grand Tours and I think he can do everything that we saw already in the classics this year.
"But I think it needs to give confidence to him, also to the team. And I'm super happy to be part of this and to be just here in Paris. Again, thanks to the job of around 200 people that are working on the team."
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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