“I’m not going to put my second place in danger” – Remco Evenepoel rules out reckless Tour de France attack despite Tadej Pogacar’s weakened UAE team
Cycling
Remco Evenepoel expects that the UAE Team Emirates – XRG team’s mounting problems will change the shape of stage 19 at the Tour de France, but the Belgian has ruled out gambling away second place in an all-or-nothing attack on Tadej Pogacar.
Brandon McNulty’s abandonment has further reduced the support around the yellow jersey, while Adam Yates and Tim Wellens have both been affected by illness, and Florian Vermeersch has also been carrying an injury.
With the race heading from Gap to Alpe d’Huez on a short, mountainous stage, Evenepoel believes UAE may find it harder to impose the same level of control.
“That is not an ideal situation when you are about to start the next few days,” Evenepoel told Sporza. “But illness can happen. It has happened to me as well. When it does, you just have to deal with it.”
Evenepoel sets limits on Alpe d’Huez attack
Evenepoel sits 4:32 behind Pogacar after taking 28 seconds out of the Slovenian in the stage 16 time trial.
The Belgian has since strengthened his position in second overall, but the deficit to yellow remains substantial. Even with Pogacar’s team weakened, Evenepoel is unwilling to sacrifice the podium position he currently holds.
“We still have to look at that,” he said when asked whether Red Bull – BORA – hansgrohe could exploit UAE’s reduced numbers. “I am not going to take crazy risks and put my second place in danger.”
Stage 19 offers little room for hesitation. The 127.9-kilometre route ends with the traditional climb of Alpe d’Huez, while the reduced distance could produce an aggressive race well before the final ascent.
UAE’s ability to control those attacks may depend on how much Yates, Wellens and the rest of Pogacar’s remaining support have recovered.
Remco Evenepoel has a career-best Tour de France 2nd in his sights
Decathlon expected to target Del Toro
Evenepoel believes the greater pressure may come from the battle behind him.
Isaac del Toro starts the stage third overall, only 20 seconds ahead of Paul Seixas. Decathlon CMA CGM Team therefore, have a clear incentive to test the Mexican and determine whether UAE’s illness problems have spread beyond Pogacar’s support riders.
“I think a team like Decathlon will now pull out all the stops to attack Del Toro’s third place,” Evenepoel said. “They may try to find out whether he is suffering from illness as well.”
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A sustained Decathlon offensive could force UAE to work earlier than planned, particularly if dangerous riders enter the breakaway or Seixas attacks before Alpe d’Huez.
Evenepoel also expects the struggle to enter the day’s main move to become more intense. “There will probably be an even bigger fight to get into the breakaway,” he said. “There will be less control in the peloton, and that will make it a different race.”
The weakened team around Pogacar has created an opening, but Evenepoel enters Alpe d’Huez with a clear hierarchy of priorities. He may test the yellow jersey if the opportunity develops, yet protecting second place remains the boundary he is not prepared to cross.
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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