“Winning is the ultimate goal” – How Red Bull - BORA’s secret weapon could take Remco Evenepoel to the next level

When Remco Evenepoel officially pulls on the colours of Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe in 2026, it will not simply mark a high-profile transfer. It will also bring one of the sport’s most gifted riders under the guidance of one of its most respected performance minds. In Dan Lorang, the team believe they have a figure capable of helping Evenepoel close the gap to the defining rider of his generation, Tadej Pogacar.

Lorang’s name may not be as familiar to fans as the stars he works with, but his track record is long-established. After nearly a decade in the inner circle at BORA - hansgrohe, he has earned a reputation as a methodical, innovative and quietly influential figure in elite performance. From 2026, he will take on a more flexible role within the team — focusing on select riders, with Evenepoel front and centre.

“Coaching isn’t just about numbers and data,” Lorang says in quotes collected by HLN. “It’s about the human side — building a relationship of trust with the athlete.”

That philosophy reflects not only his triathlon background, where individualised work is essential, but also the modern demands of WorldTour racing, where marginal gains can define entire seasons.

Lorang’s sporting roots stretch far beyond cycling. Initially a footballer in Luxembourg, a knee injury set him on a path that eventually led to sports science and coaching, via triathlon. He went on to guide some of the sport’s biggest names, including multiple Ironman world champion Jan Frodeno, building a reputation for precision and relentless attention to detail.

Joining BORA - hansgrohe in 2016, he quickly climbed the hierarchy, shaping the team’s high-performance culture as it transitioned from ambitious challenger to established WorldTour force. CEO Ralph Denk credited him as a key figure in that rise: “He’s shaped both our riders and the team itself — and helped establish us as a fixture at the very top of world cycling.”

For Evenepoel, who arrives after seven seasons at Soudal - Quick-Step, this represents more than just a change of jersey. It’s a shift in environment and approach, aligning with a structure designed to support grand tour ambitions.

Lorang’s methods are rooted in individualisation. He rejects the idea of a standardised model for performance. “There’s no ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach,” he said. “Everyone is different. My job is to find what works best for each individual. The goal isn’t perfection, it’s progress.”

It’s a philosophy that could suit Evenepoel at a key point in his career. Now 25, the Belgian has already won a Grand Tour, world titles, multiple monuments and time trial rainbow jerseys. But against Pogacar — and the likes of rivals such as Jonas Vingegaard — finding an extra layer is essential.

Lorang’s belief in incremental, structured development speaks to that challenge. “Small, consistent improvements lead to big changes over time,” he explained. “For the athlete, winning is the ultimate goal. As a coach, my job is to create the environment in which winning becomes possible.”

Evenepoel’s own ambitions have never been a secret. He wants to be the best — and that means taking on Pogacar at full strength. Closing that gap isn’t simply a matter of increasing raw power numbers or climbing speeds. It involves meticulous planning, careful load management, and the psychological confidence to match the sport’s most dominant rider.

Lorang shifting into a more individualised coaching role won’t guarantee immediate transformation. But for Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe, it represents a clear statement of intent: to create the conditions where a rider of Evenepoel’s calibre can keep evolving.