Remco Evenepoel reportedly set for Red Bull debut at Milano-Sanremo 2026 – but he won’t be given team leadership
Cycling
Remco Evenepoel’s debut season in Red Bull – BORA hansgrohe colours looks set to open with a surprise twist, as La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that the Belgian superstar is expected to take on Milano-Sanremo for the first time in his career.
The Italian outlet’s well-connected journalist Ciro Scognamiglio claims multiple sources have confirmed Evenepoel is pencilled in for La Primavera on 21 March 2026, marking his maiden appearance in the first Monument of the year.
If the report proves accurate, it would be one of the most intriguing early-season moves from the newly restructured Red Bull project. Evenepoel has spoken in recent months about maintaining flexibility in his 2026 schedule, but Milano-Sanremo had never been mentioned publicly as a firm option.
His attributes — explosive climbing, long-range attacking and top-end endurance — have often fuelled speculation about how he might fare over the Poggio, but the Monument has so far remained absent from his programme.
Van Gils as Primavera leader
Perhaps the most striking detail from Gazzetta’s report is that Evenepoel is not expected to lead the team. Instead, the leadership mantle would go to fellow Belgian Maxim Van Gils, who finished seventh in the race in 2024 and has steadily built a reputation as one of the peloton’s most versatile puncheurs.
Red Bull – BORA - hansgrohe appear keen to give Van Gils a clear shot at the win, with Evenepoel playing a supporting role in what would be the team’s first appearance at the Monument under its new identity.
For a rider accustomed to carrying leadership expectations at virtually every race he enters, starting Milano-Sanremo as a luxury domestique adds an unexpected layer to Red Bull’s early-season dynamics.
Final programme still undecided
Evenepoel has repeatedly stressed that his 2026 schedule will hinge on the shape of the Giro d’Italia route, which will be unveiled on 1 December. He recently told HLN that two draft calendars remain under discussion: a traditional cobbled-Classics-and-Tour option, and an alternative combining the Giro and Tour de France.
If Gazzetta’s report is accurate, Milano-Sanremo could serve as a crossroads between the two: a chance to test his form early, assess how he responds to the Monument’s unique rhythm, and refine Red Bull’s hierarchy before the stage-race season intensifies.
Either way, Evenepoel taking on La Primavera for the first time — and doing so without team leadership — ensures that the 2026 edition already carries a compelling narrative before the peloton even reaches the Ligurian coast.
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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leedorney02-11-2026 - Watch the interview on youtube. I don't speak French. I do speak English and Spanish and you can hear it in his voice. Years ago LeMond had real personal problems I imagine in no small part because of Armstrong. then Armstrong goes round "full blast" re: LeMond having drinking and drug problems. The same way Andreu was expelled from mainstream cycling so was LeMond. On the positive side the clips of the ride and chatting with old teammates and was good. To seemed like a fun day and experience and good reason brush up his French.atom02-11-2026
- and another no-news article around the ‚2 tokyo jogging rounds‘ headline, this time spiced with some days old ‚news‘ that the LA and japan vacation trips come during or after the tdf route release. i am getting more and more annoyed by this time-stealing no-news crap. but who am i to complain? nobody forces me to come back for more ‚news‘ day after day …Ketterechts02-11-2026
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Rafionain-Glas02-11-2026 - Welcome to the off-season.
santiagobenites02-11-2026 - guillaume martin in this list is quite a surprise as a gc rider.Ketterechts02-11-2026
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Info @Gazzetta_it - Looking at @milanosanremo 2026, we understand that Maxim Van Gils will be the leader for Red bull-Bora-Hansgrohe. Also, the presence of Remco Evenepoel at start of La Classicissima for first time can be considered likely, at this stage, sources confirmed us
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