"Now it is a different story" - Remco Evenepoel exudes Tour de France confidence as he opens up on weight loss, training and 2025 mistakes

Remco Evenepoel paints a confident figure as he looks forward to his return to the Tour de France, with 2025 demons on his mind and a calculated and uninterrupted preparation. The Red Bull - BORA Hansgrohe rider hasn't raced in over two months, but appeared assured that he'll be ready when the flag is waved.

The 26-year-old opted for a training-oriented journey to the Barcelona Grand Depart - now just eight days away - as he focused on a healthy weight cut to get into his ideal Tour shape.

He'll arrive at the Grand Boucle as co-leader alongside Florian Lipowitz, but knows he can only bet on his own shape. However, if he is to launch a bid for the yellow jersey, he faces the prospect of reaching the level of Jonas Vingegaard and Tadej Pogacar, who have dominated the past four editions of the race.

Asked about his training block that has seen him away from racing since mid-April after his Liège-Bastogne-Liège podium, Evenepoel admitted that despite weaker moments coming as expected, he's in a good place.

“I feel good, yes. Of course, such preparation always contains some weaker moments; it fluctuates sometimes," Evenepoel said in an interview with media.

"But generally speaking, I am very satisfied with my progress since Liège-Bastogne-Liège. I was able to complete good training blocks, even in that extreme heat."

The same can't be said for his 2025 Tour de France, where he looked a frail comparison. He suffered a training crash in the winter before the 2025 season and made his season debut in late-April. By the time the Tour came, he visibly struggled after cutting his weight to around 63 kilograms and abandoned due to fatigue and illness on stage 14.

"Twelve months ago, I barely got around to that during my last altitude training, headed to the Tour with a meager base and without a great feeling, and paid the price. Now it is a different story. I can travel to Barcelona with confidence.”

Evenepoel noted that his weight cut in 2025 saw him sacrifice power. He claims this isn't the case this time around: “Without sacrificing power in the process; that, too, is a difference compared to 2025. We countered that risk by employing the right methods.”

How do you achieve something like that while also keeping in shape during training camp? A measured calorie deficit, Evenepoel says - while again noting his 2025 mistakes.

“I didn’t do anything crazy; I stayed in a calorie deficit in a smart way. That ensured the right balance. Not like last year, when I felt completely drained by the end of June. Purely physically, there are a few parameters from the training camp that I can cling to. If I hit those later, it’s fine. Not? Okay, then there will still be work to do.”

After spending weeks in Sierra Nevada and Teide at altitude, Evenepoel recently came back down to ground level - and notably the French Alps - to preview some of the Tour's Alpine stages that are set to decide the race. One recon ride included over 190 kilometers and 5000 meters of climbing in the process. He joked that he had to do some tough training every now and then.

“I saw what I wanted to see. Due to roadworks, a few cols were closed, as is the case every summer. But I memorized the toughest and most important stages. During those two months without competition, I had to get out of my lazy armchair every now and then, right? But rest assured: there are bound to be others who spent seven hours in the saddle.”

Ultimately, he's happy with his choice to stay away from race numbers, packed pelotons and roaring crowds that come with race days. The Red Bull rider insists he has proven in the past that he can turn training into instant results, and hopes he can again at the Grand Boucle.

“I didn't necessarily need it to be ready for the Tour either. Of course, I understand the doubts from the outside world. There are no references based on concrete results.

Evenepoel added: "But I think I have proven in the past that I can come out of a broad training block well. Stay calm now, keep everything under control. Then I see it working out.”