Evenepoel Targets Peak Form for 2026 Tour de France with Intensive Buildup
A focused training regimen, mirroring aspects of Tadej Pogačar’s successful 2025 preparation, will propel Remco Evenepoel toward a career-best performance at the 2026 Tour de France. The Belgian star, now leading the Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe team, is prioritizing a robust buildup to the summer’s premier cycling event, a stark contrast to the challenges he faced last year.
Evenepoel, 25, is slated to compete in next month’s UAE Tour, setting the stage for an early-season showdown with Isaac del Toro, teammate of Pogačar, in the stage race. While Pogačar dominated the 2025 UAE Tour, securing two stage wins and the overall classification, he will not participate in the spring 2026 edition, allowing Del Toro to lead the UAE Emirates-XRG squad in their home event.
Though Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe has yet to officially confirm Evenepoel’s participation, the news was reported this week by HLN.be. This marks the latest step in a comprehensive preparation plan designed to overcome the setbacks that hampered his 2025 Tour de France campaign.
Last year, Evenepoel’s preparation was severely disrupted after being struck by a vehicle during a training ride in December 2024. The resulting time off the bike significantly impacted his form. Despite a stage 5 time trial victory, he was forced to withdraw from the race on stage 14, acknowledging the detrimental effect of his compromised preparation.
Currently, Evenepoel is training with his wife in Calpe, diligently adding kilometers to his base, according to HLN.be. His racing schedule begins January 29th with the Trofeo Ses Salines, followed by the Tour of Valentia between February 4th and 8th. The UAE Tour, scheduled for February 16th to 22nd, will serve as a crucial early test. He previously won the UAE Tour in 2023, besting Luke Plapp and Adam Yates for the overall title.
Spring Classics as a Foundation for July Success
The intensive buildup extends beyond the UAE Tour, encompassing a strategic series of spring classics. “Barring any unforeseen issues, Evenepoel’s busy spring should see him in much better shape than prior to last year’s Tour,” a senior cycling analyst noted.
His racing return in 2025 was delayed until the Brabantse Pijl on April 18th, where he narrowly defeated Wout van Aert. However, he admitted to not being at his peak during the subsequent Ardennes Classics. This year, a more consistent and thorough preparation is expected to yield significantly improved results.
Following the UAE Tour, Evenepoel’s schedule includes an altitude training camp in Tenerife and participation in the Volta a Catalunya between March 23rd and 29th. The Amstel Gold Race, Flèche Wallonne, and Liège-Bastogne-Liège will then follow, with the latter potentially marking his first competitive encounter of the season with Pogačar.
Evenepoel has a strong track record in Liège-Bastogne-Liège, having won the prestigious race in both 2022 and 2023. With a focused buildup, he aims to reclaim that form and demonstrate his potential against the world’s best. If all goes according to plan, Evenepoel is poised to arrive at the 2026 Tour de France in the best condition of his career.
