![\"Evenepoel\"](\"https:\/\/velo-cdn.outsideonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Copy-of-Copy-of-POGI-2.jpg\")
<\/p>\nRed Bull reveals secret plans for Evenepoel to race cobbled monument on Sunday have been in the works for months.<\/p>\n
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(Photo: Getty Images)<\/p>\n
Updated April 1, 2026 07:21AM<\/p>\n
Remco Evenepoel<\/a> will line up alongside Tadej Poga\u010dar<\/a> and Mathieu van der Poel on Sunday for a surprise debut at the Tour of Flanders<\/a>.<\/p>\n And no, that\u2019s not an April Fools.<\/p>\n The news was confirmed by Evenepoel, team Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe, and Tour of Flanders officials in separate social media posts on Wednesday.<\/p>\n The stunning announcement ends a wave of recent \u201cwill-he won\u2019t-he\u201d debate among Belgian media.<\/p>\n Multiple outlets reported this week that the 26-year-old would add the race to his program ahead of a blitz on the Ardennes classics later in the month.<\/p>\n Nonetheless, team Red Bull repeatedly pushed back against the speculation.<\/p>\n Management maintained that their Belgian megastar would follow a risk-free path through his first season with the team. The Ardennes, Tour de France, and Montr\u00e9al worlds were his three pillars for 2026.<\/p>\n Red Bull Bora-Hansgrohe posted a statement later on Wednesday to reveal the project has been in the works for months.<\/p>\n \u201cThe connection between Remco and the Tour of Flanders is deep and emotional. A plan like this does not come together overnight. We deliberately kept it under the radar to create a special moment for the fans \u2013 revealing it as a surprise on April 1,\u201d said team CEO Ralph Denk.<\/p>\n \u201cThe fact that we were able to keep this internal for more than 100 days speaks to the cohesion and unity of this team.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Evenepoel and De Ronde? Expect drama<\/p>\n Evenepoel has not raced a marquee cobblestone classic in his pro career. Nobody will be expecting him to hang with Poga\u010dar and Van der Poel in their monument clash this weekend.<\/p>\n However, many believe Evenepoel\u2019s climbing punch and one-day prowess make him a future winner of the Ronde van Vlaanderen.<\/p>\n Evenepoel added to the hype about his Flanders potential this winter when he was spotted riding the race\u2019s kingmaker Oude Kwaremont and Paterberg climbs.<\/p>\n Could Evenepoel stun the world and win the Tour of Flanders on debut?<\/p>\n He\u2019d be the first Belgian winner since Philippe Gilbert in 2017 if he did.<\/p>\n Whatever the outcome for Evenepoel in Belgian cycling\u2019s \u201cHoly Day,\u201d expect a dose of drama.<\/p>\n