Remco Evenepoel to ride Paris-Roubaix? - Red Bull-BORA Hansgrohe team boss hints that European champion could make surprise debut
Cycling
Remco Evenepoel could be in line for a blockbuster Paris Roubaix debut in 2027 after Red Bull-BORA Hansgrohe team boss Ralph Denk signalled his support for the Belgian to aim for the monument next season.
The 26-year-old made a splash last spring by riding the Tour of Flanders, finishing in third place behind Tadej Pogacar and Mathieu van der Poel. In 2027, Denk hinted that he could well target another cobbled classic.
Paris Roubaix offers an intriguing task for Evenepoel, whose power profile and time trial pedigree could play in his favour in the largely flat race - made famous for its gruelling cobbled road segments and attritional distance -making it one of the most difficult races in cycling to win.
It's the final monument on Tour de France winner Tadej Pogacar's wish list after his most recent second place after Wout van Aert, and one that could see Evenepoel at the start in 2027 as Denk believes that he could do well amongst the hopefuls next season.
Remco Evenepoel
Red Bull open to Evenepoel riding Paris Roubaix
“I think Remco can do well there. But it has to come from him; otherwise, it won’t happen,” Denk told Eurosport.
"If he wants to give it a try and train for it, something he's never done before, we're open to it. And then we wouldn't worry that he'd get injured there or jeopardise other goals."
With Evenepoel missing out on World Championships, Il Lombardia and Liege-Bastogne-Liege among his major season goals, Denk believes that his second place behind Pogacar offers a clear answer to how to win the Grand Tour.
However, with Pogacar's level far above the rest in the general classification, Denk believes the Slovenian could win a few more editions of the race.
Tadej Pogacar's dominance
"Anyone who's good at math knows exactly what it takes to beat Pogacar. His performance and recovery data clearly show that he's really good. There's a significant difference between him and the others.
"If he keeps performing at this level, no one in the world can close the gap. He has to make a mistake or falter; otherwise, he'll probably win the Tour a few more times."
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While looking at other goals such as Paris Roubaix, Denk believes that Evenepoel and the rest of the field still need to push their limits in hope of being next in line if Pogacar falters - pointing to Pogacar's crash at the Vuelta a Espana in August.
Denk added: "The gap is too big, not just for us, but for everyone. But we have to be ready if he stumbles or makes a mistake. That can happen, as we saw in the Vuelta."
Gavin QuinnCycling Journalist
Gavin Quinn is a cycling journalist and ultra-distance cyclist with a BA in Journalism from Dublin City University. Formerly the Press & Communications Officer for Cycling Ireland, Gavin has worked inside the national team at the World Championships and has reported for the Irish Mirror, Mirror UK, and The42.
His expertise is backed by elite-level access, having interviewed stars like Sam Bennett and Ben Healy, as well as immense personal endurance. In 2025, he completed a 12,000km solo cycle from Ireland to Vietnam, following a 4,600km tour across Europe. From the cobbles of Paris-Roubaix to the gradients of the Tourmalet, Gavin’s writing focuses on the "romance and brutality" of the sport. Having visited 50+ countries, he brings a global, cultural perspective to his coverage of the pro peloton for CyclingUpToDate.
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