“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
Cycling
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.”
Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe plan built around shared leadership
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.
Different profiles, same objective
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.
Respect for Pogacar, but belief in a new path
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.
Kieran WoodDeputy Editor-in-Chief
Kieran Wood is a sports journalist based in Wales and has been active in journalism since 2022. He regularly contributes to DartsNews.com and CyclingUpToDate.com, where he covers professional cycling and darts. In cycling, his work includes liveblogs from major races, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, alongside race reports and analysis. He has also conducted interviews with professional riders.
His reporting spans the full racing calendar, from one-day classics to stage races, with a focus on accurate, real-time coverage and clear contextual analysis. For statistics, results, and historical context, he regularly uses resources such as ProCyclingStats. To support reporting on rider activity and training context where relevant, he also references Strava.
In his work, Kieran places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles as new, verified information becomes available.
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- Where Merckx just rode every single race he could and won all the time, Hinault won less often (percentage wise) because he was more judicious in what he raced. His palmares are nuts. He had amazing rivals, one to start his career and another to end it in the grand tours. His classics were solid. What sets him apart from Merckx and Pogačar are that he basically dabbled in the classics while the other two love(d) them. I used to compare Pogačar to Hinault for his grand tour record and occasional classics win, until I realized that the comparison was wrong. Pogačar loves the classics - ah, the memory of his reaction to finishing fourth in a 2 person sprint in Flanders in ‘22: utter domination in any one day race since then, even when he doesn’t win. Hinault lived for the grand tours and I don’t think anyone else will ever reach his record. 10 wins in 13 attempts? Good lord. An amazing rider. Wish there was more footage to watch.RidesHills11-11-2026
- I had no idea about that either.
santiagobenites10-11-2026 - great analysis thanks! appreciate you posting this. I didn't realize CX had a different standard for deviation. this is even more egregious it seems.mij10-11-2026
- As he isn't currently with Red Bull, I guess if he want to race for one more year he needs to find a team. He's 37 so this will be his last year I would guess, unless he wants to race for almost nothing like Froome did.awp10-11-2026
- I think some are making much ado about nothing. Even though Jonas is getting older, before his crash in the Tour, he looked like a solid 2nd all the way home. No one can really climb with Tadej until this year, Eric Mas showed himself which I think was a one off year for him and Paul Seixas has been able to be pretty close to him. Whatever stage race Jonas enters as long as Tadej is not there he is a favorite to win.awp10-11-2026
- Giro or not Giro, he won't win the Tour!MajorPayne10-11-2026
- Very true.awp10-11-2026
- Ciccone had a very strong end of season. Consistently attacking and livening up races. Hope he makes that last leap in progress and starts notching some significant wins. Great rider to watch.Occam10-11-2026
- Me too!!!!!Occam10-11-2026
- they can sign any 100 of top riders today but Pogi will win over Remco any time at the TDF unless something goes wrongabstractengineer10-11-2026
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