Remco Evenepoel to Avoid Racing for 69 Days Before Tour de France

Remco Evenepoel will avoid competition for 69 days prior to the Tour de France, aiming to start the event "completely fresh." This decision was announced by his team, Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe, on May 4, 2026. Evenepoel's last race was Liège-Bastogne-Liège, where he secured a third-place finish behind Tadej Pogačar from UAE Team Emirates-XRG and Paul Seixas of Decathlon CMA CGM, two rivals he is set to confront during the Tour de France beginning in Barcelona on July 4.

In lieu of participating in the Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, which would have required him to compete again, Evenepoel will now concentrate on recovery, reconnaissance of the course, specific training sessions, and a planned altitude camp in May. This marks a significant shift from his previous racing strategy, where competing in the Dauphiné was a traditional lead-up to the Tour. Historically, the Dauphiné and races like it serve as key preparations for the Tour de France; for example, both Jonas Vingegaard and Tadej Pogačar had previously raced in the Dauphiné before their Tour victories in 2022, 2023, and 2020, respectively.

Chief of Sports Zak Dempster explained that the decision to step back from racing followed a thorough analysis of Evenepoel's performance during an intense spring season that included three victories in the Mallorca Challenge and a podium finish in the Tour of Flanders. Dempster remarked, "The goal is for him to arrive in Barcelona completely fresh. After analysing his 25 race days, we see greater benefit in a balanced alternative program than in adding further race load."

Evenepoel's absence in the upcoming Dauphiné will create a less crowded field, allowing other competitors, most notably Vingegaard, more room to maneuver as they prepare for the Tour.