"It’s never going to work" - Remco Evenepoel proves himself wrong with his best Tour de France performance ever
CyclingMonday, 27 July 2026 at 11:15
The 2026 Tour de France has come to an end and Remco Evenepoel stood on the second-highest place on the podium. The Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe has finished the most successful Grand Boucle of his career, taking two stage wins and his highest ever overall classification.
“What I take away most is that I was very good in terms of climbing performance during the second and third weeks. I didn’t crack and didn’t have a bad day, I also improved my best 15 minute performance during the Tour," Evenepoel said in a press conference following the race.
The Belgian rider has had a modest first half of the race, but as the race entered the Alps, his true form came to light. Mentally and physically fresh, the Olympic Champion took on the Plateau de Solaison to take a brilliant stage victory ahead of Tadej Pogacar and Isaac del Toro.
Afterwards, he won the following stage, the race's individual time trial, solidifying his second place after the withdrawal of Jonas Vingegaard. In strong fashion, he confirmed this runner-up position with a masterful set of performances on the final two mountain stages.
“It’s been an extraordinary, unforgettable month. It’s not been easy. It’s been hard, and the start, especially, wasn’t easy, but I’m here now in second place with two stage wins, so I’m very happy with that.”
Remco Evenepoel at the 2026 Tour de France
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Serious doubts heading into the Tour
Above all, a serious achievement and the proof that he remains one of the best Grand Tour specialists in the peloton. Evenepoel had a spring with some strong results, but all in races that lacked long climbs.
At the UAE Tour and Volta a Catalunya, his climbing level was worrying; whilst at Liège-Bastogne-Liège he was nowhere near the likes of Tadej Pogacar and Paul Seixas on terrain that on paper favoured him.
“I know that some of the criticism regarding my climbing races this spring was justified, but the spring was all about Flanders and Liège. The rest was focused on the Tour and what is yet to come. I have now achieved one of my main goals.”
But after a tailor-made preparation, and the decision not to race before the Tour, Evenepoel showed up at the Grand Depart with the ideal form. That he would go on to finish on the podium was unexpected for him.
At Sierra Nevada, whilst training at altitude, he admitted that he had little hopes of standing high in the GC. “At the top of the climb, I literally told soigneur David Geeroms ‘I’m going to the Tour for stages. It’s never going to work'":
2026 Evenepoel is the strongest ever
In words to Vive le Vélo, Evenepoel revealed his true level did go up. “Everything went up, except my weight. At exactly the right moment, everything was in place.”
The Belgian continues to evolve, and performing on both one-day races and stage-races. There was a rider above him throughout the Tour, one Evenepoel has had to contest with for years, but in other races it is possible to see a different outcoem.
“I think my level has gone up, but Tadej is still getting better, or at least maintaining the same level. I will keep focusing on myself and try to improve every detail. If I get closer, then that is what happens. If I don’t, then that is what happens.”
“We must not forget that I finished second behind someone who is making history again. I did it behind a phenomenon and an exceptional talent," he concluded.
Rúben SilvaEditor-in-Chief
A founding contributor to CyclingUpToDate since its launch in January 2022, Ruben Silva has played a central role in shaping the site’s editorial direction and long-term growth. Before joining the project, he built his experience through independent blogging at Echelons Hub and by producing race previews for Ciclismo Internacional, developing a strong analytical voice rooted in daily engagement with professional cycling.
Beyond editorial work, he has been closely involved in the expansion and coordination of CyclingUpToDate’s wider network, helping establish and support sister platforms across multiple languages. This includes ongoing collaboration with CiclismoAlDia (Spanish), CiclismoAtual (Portuguese), WielrennenUpToDate (Dutch), and RadsportAktuell (German), contributing to a shared editorial vision and consistent international coverage.
He also helps oversee editorial governance across the network, setting standards for accuracy and consistency and coordinating updates or corrections when needed.
Originally from the Porto metropolitan area in Portugal, he holds a bachelor’s degree in Geography. His path into cycling journalism was shaped not through formal media training, but through independent reporting, community engagement, and sustained on-the-ground involvement in the sport.
Over the course of his career, he has conducted approximately 100 interviews across road cycling and cyclocross, ranging from one-to-one conversations and online formats to press conferences and on-site pre- and post-race coverage. His interviews include leading riders, team managers, and prominent figures within cycling media: Tadej Pogacar, Jonas Vingegaard, Mathieu van der Poel, Primoz Roglic, Wout van Aert, Joao Almeida and Tom Pidcock; managers like Patrick Lefevere and Joxean Matxin; and YouTube personality Bryan Kennedy (BKXC)...
Within 18 months of launch, he helped grow CyclingUpToDate’s English-language platform into one of the most-read cycling news websites, built entirely from the ground up. As both a professional journalist and lifelong cycling enthusiast, his focus remains on delivering accurate, timely, and well-contextualized coverage.
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- Totally agree about the route change - even if the pure sprinters never win in Paris again.Crashjames27-07-2026
- Surprising comment from LA - still don’t think tadej will eclipse Eddy for total accomplishments as a cyclistCrashjames27-07-2026
- Last year, the Montmarte finale was highly controversial, recieving pressure from GC riders, who said "don't let this jeopardise our Tours" (chiefly Jonas Vingegaard of course) and sprinters, who said "don't let this take away our big opportunity". While the latter part did not cause the GC neutralisation, it added to the pressure. After the magnificent finale it gave, criticism was reduced but one season on that was still not enough for the GC to run to the end. After yesterday's race, very few riders will criticise it. Of the sprinters, only Tim Merlier would dislike it. And the GC riders have got used to it. Next year, it may not be so. And with 2:18 over Seixas, del Toro was certainly breathing s sigh of relief
Rafionain-Glas27-07-2026 - Apparently the course was constantly being strewn with broken glass, nails etc, faster than the sweepers could clear it. And then IDT did get a puncture!Hills3327-07-2026
- I am also capable of winning so long as no professional riders start, or to be honest, any other riders at all. Useless statement to make. He demonstrably hasn't proven he's capable of winning because he hasn't won. Who writes this nonsense?wrsty27-07-2026
- Tot siens tot volgende jaar ou boet. Remember to breathe and keep the rubber side down.
Andrew27-07-2026 - Quote :mus-musculuspeedypogigonzales 26 July 2026 at 21:30 + 238 Let me repeat Bruyneels words: "Thijs Zonneveld, you are an idiot." That's all I've got to say !!!”Andrew27-07-2026
- Some are only happy if it’s Pog helping out a team mate other than that it is verboten. I doubt Philipsen would have caught VDP but hard to say with certainty.Andrew27-07-2026
- How stupid to stop the time at 41km. Idt must be heaving a sigh of relief in his white jersey. They should have let the clock run right till the end.Andrew27-07-2026
- So you are quite good at dishing it our but not so good at taking it. Vasbyt Skatlam, verstaan jy vir my jou verlepte ou doos. 😘😘Andrew27-07-2026
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