Evenepoel's standout 2026 season

Remco Evenepoel had a season in 2026 that could be considered the most successful of his career, according to Zak Dempster, the sports director of the Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe team. Evenepoel won the Amstel Gold Race, the Grand Prix cycliste de Québec, a fourth world title in the time trial, and the European road championship title, while finishing second in the Tour de France behind Tadej Pogacar.

Setbacks in key races

However, he also faced some setbacks, including third place in Liège-Bastogne-Liège, 12th place in the road race at the World Championships, and fourth place in the Tour de Lombardia. These results indicate that while Evenepoel had a strong year, he also encountered challenges in some of the most prestigious races.

Dempster's positive outlook

Dempster expressed enthusiasm about Evenepoel's future, stating that having him on the team was a positive experience and that there were lessons to be learned from the 2026 season that could be used in the upcoming season. He described Evenepoel as an intense individual who prioritizes victory in everything he does, and noted that this intensity is contagious within the team.

Strong performance in the Tour de France

Dempster highlighted Evenepoel's recent success in the Tour de France, where he won two consecutive stages and finished second overall behind Pogacar. He emphasized the importance of Evenepoel's consistent training program and the decision to skip the Dauphiné, which contributed to his form. Dempster noted that Evenepoel's performance during the third week of the Tour, where he beat Pogacar on a mountain stage, was exceptional and gave confidence for the future.

2027 plans and goals

While the full 2027 program for Evenepoel will be announced on December 11 at the Red Bull press day in Majorca, Dempster suggested that the program might be different from the previous year. He indicated that the focus would be on making Evenepoel competitive in major races, and that the preparation for the 2027 season would be longer and more progressive to ensure he arrives at the Tour de France in better shape.

Team's 2027 objectives

Dempster concluded that the team's goal for 2027 would be to win a Grand Tour, with Evenepoel also expected to be competitive in the Classics, particularly the Tour of Flanders. This indicates that the team is aiming for both one-day races and multi-stage events, reflecting a comprehensive strategy to maximize Evenepoel's potential.