Will Evenepoel get any closer to the yellow jersey? Photo courtesy of A.S.O./Billy Ceusters.
To coincide with today’s Evenepoel news, I’ve brought back a Transfer Window discount for all new subscribers. It’s 30% off for all new annual subscribers, which works out at £45 for an entire year of my Substack content. This includes all my transfer stories and analysis, and all my race content up until the end of next year’s Tour de France.
The ink is barely even dry on Remco Evenepoel’s Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe contract, but fast forward 11 months and he’ll be lining up at the Tour de France for his new team, hoping to challenge for the yellow jersey.
Moving teams has sparked excitement and intrigue, but it also brings significant pressure for the Belgian rider. Having achieved his goal and left Soudal Quick-Step’s roster, Evenepoel finally has what he desires, but there can be no excuses when it comes to next year’s Tour challenge.
At least, on paper, he has one of the best Tour teams available.
However, having just won four stages at the Tour, Soudal Quick-Step might dispute this, but Red Bull could be well-positioned for a genuine GC challenge if they can assemble this roster for the Tour.
Read more: 🚨 Remco Evenepoel leaves Soudal Quick-Step for Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe 🇧🇪
I’ve picked a dream team of seven teammates for Evenepoel in next year’s Tour, but I thoroughly expect you to disagree with my choices, so please leave a comment and your selection in the comments section below.
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Age: 25
Tour pedigree: 1 third place, 1 DNF, two stage wins
Analysis: Given the cost involved in the move, Evenepoel heads to the Tour de France as the team’s number one leader. Even though Florian Lipowitz won the white jersey and finished third, he’ll need to ride in support of his new team boss on the road. Just look at all the upheaval and staff changes in recent weeks. This is now Evenepoel’s team.
The Belgian will be expected to lead from the front, both in terms of his performances on the bike and how he conducts himself off the bike. His first challenge might come in the winter, when he tries to persuade several of his new teammates to buy into his dream of winning the Tour.
Age: 35
Tour pedigree: 1 second place, a few top tens, several stage wins, but several DNFs
Analysis: There could be a real dilemma for team boss Ralph Denk regarding how he manages the rider he signed to win the Tour two years ago versus the rider he’s just signed with the expectation of winning the Tour in 2026. There was clearly something up with Roglič at the Tour this year, in terms of his demeanour and certainly his productivity, especially when you consider how he raced the final mountain stage. If Roglič doesn’t cooperate in his final season, he’ll go to the Giro or the Vuelta and be given a completely different race programme from his new leader. He might actually prefer that. But if Denk can persuade the Slovenian to race the Giro at full tilt and then support Evenepoel in the Tour, that would be the best outcome for the team’s aims.