“Leave him alone” - Michael Boogerd defends Remco Evenepoel after quieter performance in the Middle East

Remco Evenepoel’s participation in the UAE Tour was expected to be a continuation of what had been an excellent start to the season, but the Belgian rider delivered a performance below expectations. Since the race concluded, his display in the Middle East has been the subject of intense discussion and detailed analysis.

On the climb to Jebel Mobrah, he was unable to follow the pace. In the penultimate stage, he once again lost ground on Jebel Hafeet. A dominant time trial was sandwiched between two disappointments in the mountains. Back in his home country, criticism quickly emerged, but Michael Boogerd has refused to join the negative chorus, urging people to “leave him alone.”

Evenepoel began the week in control after an authoritative time trial, but both summit finishes told a different story. First on Jebel Mobrah and then again on Jebel Hafeet, he was unable to respond to the decisive accelerations and admitted afterward that he had not yet reached the required level.

Boogerd finds it strange that there is so much discussion in Belgium about Evenepoel form, and in an honest analysis on Eurosport, he rejected the criticism the rider has been subjected to in recent days. “I live in Belgium and you see it every day, the newspapers are full of it. If Evenepoel has a sore toe, it’s widely reported. It’s about nothing, really.”

Boogerd defends his compatriot and does not understand the level of antagonism directed at the Red Bull - BORA - Hansgrohe rider. “If you look at his list of achievements, that’s special, isn’t it?” he continues.

He also points out that Evenepoel did not begin his cycling journey in the same way as many of the talents currently in the WorldTour peloton. “You usually start cycling at a young age, but he comes from football. And he is truly special when you have such a long list of honours. Why does he have to win the Tour? Why? Isn’t it good enough?”

According to Boogerd, there should be greater respect for Remco Evenepoel’s performances and accomplishments. He illustrated his point while also taking a subtle dig at Belgian critics. “He won the Giro and in the Netherlands everyone said he had to win the Tour. He finished second and still has a brilliant record. So few people ever win a Grand Tour. When you look at his list of achievements, I think: ‘Leave that boy alone and let him enjoy himself a bit.’”

Remco Evenepoel already has seven victories in 2026, opening the season with three consecutive wins in Spain - Trofeo Ses Salines (1.1), Trofeo Serra Tramuntana (1.1), Trofeo Andratx - Pollença (1.1) - before claiming two stages and the overall classification at the Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana, as well as a stage at the UAE Tour, where he finished 10th overall.

The Olympic and World Champion boasts an enviable list of achievements that many riders will never come close to matching. However, he competes in an Era dominated by Slovenian rider Tadej Pogacar, renowned for his long-range attacks that dismantle the opposition on any terrain.

Comparisons between the two are inevitable, but Boogerd stands up for Evenepoel. “He doesn’t win races in a normal way either. The World Championships and the Olympic Games. What he does is very special, but what Tadej Pogacar does is, of course, ‘Merckxian,’” he said.