“I was a bit afraid to say it on the podium because Primoz was standing next to us” – Remco Evenepoel points to Roglic blueprint for 2026 Tour de France

Remco Evenepoel has openly pointed to the strategy that finally broke Tadej Pogacar’s dominance at the Tour de France as the model he wants to follow in 2026, admitting he hesitated to reference it publicly out of respect for those involved.

“I was a bit afraid to say it on the podium, because Primoz was standing next to us and we all know how that unfortunately went,” Evenepoel said, referring to the decisive 2022 Tour when Jumbo Visma used Jonas Vingegaard and Primoz Roglic in tandem to isolate Pogacar on the Granon.

Speaking to In de Leiderstrui, the Belgian made clear that the lesson from that Tour remains the clearest blueprint for anyone hoping to challenge the Slovenian at the sport’s biggest race.

“But I think it’s the best example: two strong riders, against someone who is alone, but very strong,” he said. “Tadej will also have improved, but that example of Jonas and Primoz is how it should be.”

Evenepoel’s comments offer a revealing insight into how Red Bull BORA hansgrohe view their long-term Tour ambitions following his high-profile move to the team. Rather than framing the challenge around a single all or nothing leader, the emphasis is on strength in numbers and tactical flexibility.

“Everyone who senses a chance to win a Grand Tour wants to win the Tour,” Evenepoel said. “It’s no secret that Pogacar has been outstanding in recent years, but we want to get as close as possible and hopefully it works out.”

For Evenepoel, that means arriving at the Tour with a squad capable of applying sustained pressure rather than relying solely on individual brilliance.

“For us, it’s important that we start this year with a strong team, so that we can prove ourselves towards the future,” he added.

A key element of that thinking is the partnership with Florian Lipowitz, a rider whose characteristics differ notably from Evenepoel’s own.

“I and Florian are different,” Evenepoel said. “But two different types actually fit well together in that respect.”

Rather than seeing contrasting rider profiles as a weakness, Evenepoel believes they can form the basis of a more unpredictable and resilient Tour approach, similar to the one that eventually wore Pogacar down in 2022.

“And we are going to try that in other races as well,” he said, pointing to events such as the Volta a Catalunya as opportunities to test shared leadership scenarios ahead of the Tour de France.

Evenepoel’s words strike a careful balance between admiration for Pogacar and confidence in a different tactical route to success. While acknowledging that the Slovenian continues to evolve, he remains convinced that the only proven way to beat him lies in collective strength rather than individual duels.

“Tadej will also have improved,” he said. “But that example of Jonas and Primoz is how it should be.”

Whether Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe can replicate that formula remains to be seen, but Evenepoel’s remarks leave little doubt about the direction of travel. The target is clear, the model is established, and the belief, at least, is already firmly in place.