The end of the Pogacar–Vingegaard era? - Remco Evenepoel can make history at the 2027 Tour de France
Cycling
The rivalry between Tadej Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard will once again command much of cycling’s attention in 2027. The two dominant riders of recent seasons will remain major contenders for the Tour de France, but next year’s route could open the door for a third protagonist. Remco Evenepoel has reason to look ahead to the Grande Boucle with optimism: 71 kilometres of time trials and fewer summit finishes suit some of his greatest strengths.
The Belgian will begin his first full season with Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe with a clear goal: to keep closing in on victory at the Tour. After finishing second in the 2026 edition, Evenepoel has every reason to aim higher. The 2027 route could also offer a different challenge from previous editions, where a succession of major climbs and long mountain stages have limited his chances against the strongest climbers.
Attention will focus on Pogačar and Vingegaard, but Evenepoel could benefit from the debate once again centring on their rivalry. As the pair prepare for another battle for the yellow jersey, the Belgian has a chance to build his campaign around terrain that particularly suits him.
One feature of the 2027 Tour de France route stands out above many others: it includes 71 kilometres of individual time trialling. That is a significant distance in a three-week race and an obvious opportunity for one of the world’s best specialists in the discipline.
Evenepoel has an impressive record to draw on. His ability to sustain high power over long efforts and his experience in major time trials give him the potential to gain significant time on other general classification contenders. In the 2027 Tour, time trialling could carry even greater weight because of the stage layout and the smaller number of major summit finishes.
The difference to Vingegaard could prove especially important. The Dane has built much of his Tour success on his performance in the high mountains and his ability to sustain long efforts on major climbs. However, the 2027 route offers fewer opportunities of that kind and adds a considerable amount of time trialling. That could force him to seek time on terrain where Evenepoel may hold an advantage.
Remco Evenepoel, one of the peloton’s leading stars in 2026.
71 kilometres against the clock: Evenepoel’s biggest advantage
Pogačar, meanwhile, remains the benchmark. The Slovenian has shown he can compete at the highest level in both the mountains and time trials, so the route does not rule him out of the fight.
In fact, he remains one of the leading favourites. But Evenepoel could find more chances to close the gap if he makes the most of the time trials and limits his losses in the mountain stages.
The other major feature of the 2027 Tour is the reduced number of major high-mountain stages. The route includes demanding days and significant climbs, but offers fewer summit finishes than those that typically favour a rider of Vingegaard’s profile.
A route that could disrupt Vingegaard’s plans
The Dane needs terrain where he can take time from climbers and more complete riders. His ability to maintain a high pace on long climbs and string together efforts on mountain stages has been one of his main weapons. But with fewer chances to exploit those strengths, it could be harder for him to recover time lost in the time trials.
The route also features several hilly stages and explosive finishes. This kind of terrain can favour riders who respond well to changes of pace and short accelerations, qualities that suit Pogačar particularly well and could also benefit Evenepoel.
The 2027 Tour therefore presents a different scenario for the three leading general classification contenders. Pogačar remains the benchmark, Vingegaard will need to find a way to offset the time trial kilometres, and Evenepoel could benefit from a combination of factors that suits his abilities.
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Evenepoel has already shown he can contend
The Belgian does not approach this opportunity as a prospect who still needs to prove himself in a Grand Tour. His second place at the 2026 Tour de France confirmed that he can compete near the top of cycling’s biggest race. His time-trialling remains one of his strongest assets as he looks to improve on that result.
The 2027 season will also be important for his adaptation to Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe. The move gives him a new sporting environment and a team structure with which to take the next step in his career. The key question is how much he can reduce the gap to Pogačar in the mountain stages. The time trials may give him an advantage, but they will not settle the general classification battle on their own.
To win the Tour, he will have to show that he can withstand the Slovenian’s attacks on the decisive stages and maintain his level when the race reaches its toughest phase. The route may suit him, but the difference will still depend on his ability to perform over three weeks.
Paul Seixas and Isaac del Toro also want to seize the opportunity
Evenepoel will not be the only rider with reason to take an interest in the 2027 route. Paul Seixas and Isaac del Toro are also among the names who could play an important role in the next edition.
The Frenchman arrives after a season that confirmed his immense potential. His victory at Il Lombardia 2026, aged just 20, showed that he can compete for the calendar’s biggest prizes. His fourth place at that year’s Tour de France also gave him a taste of what it means to race against the world’s best for three weeks.
Del Toro, meanwhile, has already shown that he can contend for the general classification in a Grand Tour. His third place at the 2026 Tour, after working alongside Pogačar, puts him in a different position heading into 2027. The question is what programme UAE Team Emirates-XRG will give him, and whether he will be free to pursue his own goals or once again support the Slovenian.
Both could benefit from a Tour that lacks the most traditional high-mountain profile, although their chances will also depend on their respective programmes and how they develop over the coming season.
Pogačar remains the man to beat, but Evenepoel has an opportunity
The 2027 Tour de France route will not automatically change the pecking order among the main favourites. Pogačar will remain the rider everyone has to beat, while Vingegaard will look to make up ground and challenge him for victory again. However, the 71 kilometres of time trials and fewer summit finishes add an element that could reshape the contest.
Evenepoel is one of the riders who could benefit most from that combination. He has the ability to gain time against the clock and has shown that he can finish on the race podium. If he improves in the mountains and maintains his consistency over three weeks, he could turn the next Tour into a genuine opportunity to move even closer to the yellow jersey.
As Pogačar and Vingegaard prepare to renew cycling’s great rivalry, the Belgian has good reason to approach the race ambitiously. He may not dominate the headlines in the coming months, but the 2027 route gives him every chance to become one of the Tour’s leading contenders.
Jorge BorregueroWriter
Jorge Borreguero is a journalist with a degree from the Complutense University of Madrid and has been a writer for Cyclinguptodate and Ciclismoaldia since early 2023. In this role, he has played a key part in the evolution of the website, particularly as a specialist covering Movistar Team. He regularly writes race reports, analytical pieces, and in-depth features about the team, and has conducted exclusive interviews and attended multiple team presentations, providing readers with firsthand insights into one of the leading professional cycling squads.
Throughout his career, Jorge has maintained a strong focus on sports journalism, gaining experience across a variety of disciplines, including basketball and football. However, his current work is almost entirely dedicated to cycling, contributing extensively to Ciclismoaldia and its sister website Cyclinguptodate. For these platforms, he combines thorough research with detailed reporting to deliver high-quality content, ranging from race previews and results to expert analysis of teams and riders.
Jorge’s reporting is marked by accuracy, depth, and a commitment to providing readers with reliable and authoritative information. His direct engagement with teams, athletes, and events ensures that his coverage reflects firsthand knowledge and professional insight. Through his work, he has established himself as a trusted voice in professional cycling journalism, bridging the gap between the sport and its global audience while maintaining rigorous editorial standards.
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MarkFour07-11-2026 - This is a really interesting idea, which, if well prepared could even be very successful. Very little money needs to be involved for a first season and any success could lead to rapid interest from sponsors.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
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