{"id":2062192,"date":"2026-07-25T17:42:28","date_gmt":"2026-07-25T14:42:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2062192"},"modified":"2026-07-25T17:42:28","modified_gmt":"2026-07-25T14:42:28","slug":"proof-that-the-disbelief-in-me-is-unfounded-remco-evenepoel-hits-back-at-critics-as-tour-de-france-second-place-overall-is-all-but-secured","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2062192","title":{"rendered":"&#8216;Proof that the disbelief in me is unfounded&#8217; \u2013 Remco Evenepoel hits back at critics as Tour de France second place overall is all but secured"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GrVWt9agWpSs7HwXFauZQ4-2560-80.png&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article class=\"m-0 box-border flex flex-row items-center pr-2.5 gap-[15px] w-[278px] h-20 flex-none upnext-article-divider\" role=\"listitem\" aria-label=\"Recommended article 1 of 3\">\n<div class=\"relative flex-none w-20 h-20\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DXdubQjs8RYd2sLnJy7cr3-160-80.jpg.webp 160w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DXdubQjs8RYd2sLnJy7cr3-80-80.jpg.webp 80w\" sizes=\"80px\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex items-center justify-center absolute w-4 h-6 left-0 top-0 bg-white\/90 flex-none z-[1]\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span class=\"font-normal text-base leading-[17px] tracking-[1.3px] uppercase text-black flex-none\">1<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex flex-col items-center justify-center gap-1.5 w-[173px] h-20 flex-none\">\n<p class=\"font-article-heading font-medium text-base leading-[21px] text-gray-800 w-[173px] line-clamp-3 group-hover:underline\">\n                                    Tour de France GC standings \u2013 Race leader Tadej Poga\u010dar all but confirms fifth title with one stage remaining\n                                <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"m-0 box-border flex flex-row items-center pr-2.5 gap-[15px] w-[278px] h-20 flex-none upnext-article-divider\" role=\"listitem\" aria-label=\"Recommended article 2 of 3\">\n<div class=\"relative flex-none w-20 h-20\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eVSE6LWDoYCc2yxTskQHdR-160-80.jpg.webp 160w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eVSE6LWDoYCc2yxTskQHdR-80-80.jpg.webp 80w\" sizes=\"80px\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex items-center justify-center absolute w-[18px] h-6 left-0 top-0 bg-white\/90 flex-none z-[1]\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span class=\"font-normal text-base leading-[17px] tracking-[1.3px] uppercase text-black flex-none\">2<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex flex-col items-center justify-center gap-1.5 w-[173px] h-20 flex-none\">\n<p class=\"font-article-heading font-medium text-base leading-[21px] text-gray-800 w-[173px] line-clamp-3 group-hover:underline\">\n                                    &#8216;There was a misunderstanding, but Remco was better&#8217; \u2013 Tadej Poga\u010dar\u00a0suffers a rare defeat as he turns domestique at Tour de France\n                                <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"m-0 box-border flex flex-row items-center pr-2.5 gap-[15px] w-[278px] h-20 flex-none\" role=\"listitem\" aria-label=\"Recommended article 3 of 3\">\n<div class=\"relative flex-none w-20 h-20\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qS9LFQMD6jBgSSKeAZLQUc-160-80.jpg.webp 160w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qS9LFQMD6jBgSSKeAZLQUc-80-80.jpg.webp 80w\" sizes=\"80px\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex items-center justify-center absolute w-[18px] h-6 left-0 top-0 bg-white\/90 flex-none z-[1]\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span class=\"font-normal text-base leading-[17px] tracking-[1.3px] uppercase text-black flex-none\">3<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex flex-col items-center justify-center gap-1.5 w-[173px] h-20 flex-none\">\n<p class=\"font-article-heading font-medium text-base leading-[21px] text-gray-800 w-[173px] line-clamp-3 group-hover:underline\">\n                                    As it happened: World champion triumphs in Tour de France stage 16 time trial as fifth place crashes out\n                                <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"page-content-onecol flex-1\nnews-article article\n\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"widget-area-group widget-area-group-2col flex flex-wrap box-border\">\n<div id=\"widgetArea16\" class=\"widget-area basis-full md:basis-2\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-2-3 page-widget-area-16\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"hero\" id=\"hero\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-hero widget-hero widget-hero-hero widget-hero widget-hero-fter-news\">\n<div class=\"news-article\">\n<header data-component-name=\"Article:Hero\">\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol>\n<li>\nPro Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nTeams &amp; Riders\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRed Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRemco Evenepoel\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>&#8216;Proof that the disbelief in me is unfounded&#8217; \u2013 Remco Evenepoel hits back at critics as Tour de France second place overall is all but secured<\/h1>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"vds-byline-block flex flex-row flex-nowrap my-1.5 gap-2 text-left items-start justify-start\" data-component-name=\"Article:BylineBlock\">\n<p>News<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-auto vds-simple-byline\"><span class=\"inline-block vds-author\"><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nAlasdair Fotheringham <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex gap-1 vds-byline-with-avatar__meta\"><span class=\"vds-date block font-normal tracking-normal normal-case text-xs\"><br \/>\nPublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-07-25T17:42:28Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n25 July 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">Belgian set for country&#8217;s highest podium finish in Tour since Lucien Van Impe runner-up behind Bernard Hinault in 1981 <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"text-gray-700 flex items-center mx-0 my-5 p-0 justify-start text-left\" id=\"affiliate-disclaimer\" data-component-name=\"AffiliateDisclaimer\" data-hawk-message=\"Affiliate disclaimer removed because hawk deemed there are no affiliate links on this page\">\n<p class=\"text-[color:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--text-color,inherit)] mb-2 text-[length:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--font-size,0.75rem)] leading-[18px] md:text-[13px] [&amp;&gt;a]:text-inherit [&amp;&gt;a]:underline\">\nWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here\u2019s how it works.\n<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<\/header>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-widget-type=\"contentparsed\" id=\"content\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-contentparsed widget-content widget-contentparsed-content widget-content-parsed widget-content-parsed-content_document \">\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<section class=\"content-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"box less-space hero-image-wrapper\">\n<figure class=\"mb-0\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GrVWt9agWpSs7HwXFauZQ4-1920-80.png.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GrVWt9agWpSs7HwXFauZQ4-1600-80.png.webp 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GrVWt9agWpSs7HwXFauZQ4-1200-80.png.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GrVWt9agWpSs7HwXFauZQ4-1024-80.png.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GrVWt9agWpSs7HwXFauZQ4-970-80.png.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GrVWt9agWpSs7HwXFauZQ4-750-80.png.webp 750w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GrVWt9agWpSs7HwXFauZQ4-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GrVWt9agWpSs7HwXFauZQ4-480-80.png.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GrVWt9agWpSs7HwXFauZQ4-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 600px, 100vw\" \/><figcaption class=\"font-article-copy text-(--image--text--color) font-article-copy mt-2\"><span class=\"credit font-article-copy\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"article-body\" class=\"text-copy bodyCopy auto paywall-locker\">\n<div data-analytics-id=\"utility-bar\" id=\"utility-bar\" class=\"font-ui-heading flex justify-between items-center py-2 border-t border-b border-gray-300 border-solid mb-5 mx-auto\" data-component-name=\"UtilityBar\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"utility-bar\">\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div data-component-name=\"Social:Dropdown\" role=\"menu\" id=\"utilitybar__dropdown--share\" aria-labelledby=\"utilitybar__button--share\" class=\"absolute left-0 top-full w-44 bg-white rounded-md shadow-md border border-neutral-200 z-[9996] list-none m-0 py-2 px-3 border-solid\">\n<ul class=\"m-0!\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Facebook<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>X<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Pinterest<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Email<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-share-this-article\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nShare this article\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\"><span class=\"ml-1 inline-flex h-5 px-2 shrink-0 items-center justify-center self-center overflow-hidden whitespace-nowrap rounded-[10px] bg-primary-500 text-[11px] leading-none font-ui-heading font-semibold text-white\">11<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-join-the-conversation\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nJoin the conversation\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<p>Follow us<\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-add-us-as-a-preferred-source-on-google\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nAdd us as a preferred source on Google\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-subscribe-to-our-newsletter\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nSubscribe to our newsletter\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-4e4d102c-884d-11f1-a753-bbdd9eb8d99c\">Remco Evenepoel couldn&#8217;t quite win the final high mountain stage of the 2026 Tour de France, but the Belgian star&#8217;s confirmation of his second place overall more than made up for any sense of disappointment at the finish line of Alpe d&#8217;Huez on Saturday.<\/p>\n<p>Two years after his third place overall in the 2024 race, the Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe racer has moved up a spot in 2026, and barring absolute disaster on the last 89-kilometre run on Sunday through Paris, he is set to clinch Belgium&#8217;s best overall finish in the Tour since 1976 winner Lucien Van Impe finished second in 1981.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-4e4d102c-884d-11f1-a753-bbdd9eb8d99c-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Evenepoel almost managed to clinch what would have been Belgium&#8217;s first win in Alpe d&#8217;Huez, too, had he been able to close in on Richard Carapaz (EF Education-EasyPost) on the last four-kilometre ascent. But after attacking as soon as the chasing trio of himself, Isaac del Toro and yellow jersey Tadej Pogacar (both UAE Team Emirates-XRG) had reached the final unclassified climb up the Alpe and closing in on the Ecuadorian star as the finish line drew closer, he fell short by just 26 seconds.<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-6 w-full overflow-hidden rounded-[10px] lg:my-8\" data-component-name=\"JwPlayer:Carousel\" data-jwp-carousel data-jwp-carousel-payload=\"{&quot;ids&quot;:{&quot;playerID&quot;:&quot;jYDCcabO&quot;,&quot;searchPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;divID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;fallbackPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;fallbackDivID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;key&quot;:&quot;X9\/mXVGac0NphghLH9hZaqWA5d3dhAM\/Ih07grnEyMLjuO2E&quot;,&quot;tintLogo&quot;:true,&quot;useSearchPlaylist&quot;:false,&quot;enabled&quot;:true},&quot;signPostingEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;signPostingLinkEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;waitForAdLoad&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnDesktop&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnMobile&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnTablet&quot;:false}\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-nowrap items-center justify-between gap-3 bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-header>\n<div class=\"flex min-w-0 shrink items-center\"><span class=\"inline-flex items-center gap-1.5 text-sm font-article-heading capitalize leading-5 text-white whitespace-nowrap\"><span class=\"jwp-carousel-title-desktop\">Latest Videos From<\/span><span class=\"jwp-carousel-brand\">Cyclingnews<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"min-h-[44px] bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting><a class=\"invisible block truncate text-sm font-bold leading-5 text-white underline decoration-solid underline-offset-2\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting-link href target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-jwp-carousel-signposting-title>Watch full video here: <\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">There is still one more opportunity remaining for Evenepoel for a third 2026 Tour stage win on Sunday, where the race returns to the same climb of Butte Montmartre and the finish on the Champs-Elys\u00e9es where Evenepoel took Olympic road gold back in 2024.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">But in any case, the time for celebration of second overall has already all but arrived, with Evenepoel not missing the opportunity to fire off a message to his persistent critics back home in Belgium, too, saying &#8220;This is proof that the disbelief in me is unfounded.&#8221;<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            You may like<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CJxPyyhkDZUijG7x9N8xid-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CJxPyyhkDZUijG7x9N8xid-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;It would be typically Belgian just to find the negatives&#8217; &#8211; Remco Evenepoel bounces back from mini-crisis to move onto Tour de France GC podium<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aiKdNouqrKSex5fGqxcPPY-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aiKdNouqrKSex5fGqxcPPY-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;I lacked that extra punch&#8217; &#8211; Remco Evenepoel blames long period away from racing for lack of sprint on Tour de France stage 3 uphill finish<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zRoJ8eJpSCi2PYGNPJJJWT-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zRoJ8eJpSCi2PYGNPJJJWT-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;With all those people, something was bound to go wrong&#8217; &#8211; Remco Evenepoel strengthens his Tour de France position despite being blocked by fans and motorbikes on Alpe d&#8217;Huez<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I had another really good day; second place is wonderful. It was very tough to reach this level, but with all the necessary patience and all the necessary work behind the scenes, I managed it, so I am super satisfied with that,&#8221; Evenepoel told <em>Sporza<\/em> after stage 20.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Widely considered the best time triallist in the world, the 2026 Tour has not just seen Evenepoel take the stage 16 individual TT, as expected, but also turn in some notable high mountain performances, previously considered by some to be his Achilles heel.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-iSHdc74XyLtLmsjBSL89wF\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-iSHdc74XyLtLmsjBSL89wF slice-container-newsletterForm\">\n<div data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"newsletter-form__wrapper newsletter-form__wrapper--inbodyContent\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__container\">\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__top-bar\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__header\">Get The Leadout Newsletter<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__main-section\">\n<p class=\"newsletter-form__strapline\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<footer class=\"newsletter-form__footer \">By submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.<\/footer>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Quite apart from his victory against Del Toro and Poga\u010dar on stage 15, Evenepoel also came through the final Alpine challenges looking more than up to the task \u2013 as Saturday&#8217;s near-miss proved once again.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Second in the Tour is something not everyone can say. In recent years there have always been only two [top podium finishers]&#8221; \u2013 Poga\u010dar and Jonas Vingegaard \u2013 &#8221; and now it is someone else; I am super happy that I can be that person,&#8221; Evenepoel said.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Currently 6:26 behind Pogacar, nearly three minutes less than in 2024, &#8220;I am super proud of all the work of the team and everyone around me \u2013 [his wife] Oumi, my family, my parents, the whole team, it is fantastic. Tomorrow [Sunday] there is another great stage to try and win, but after that we are definitely going to celebrate.&#8221;<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            What to read next<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AiQGTNvq4wV9XT8PtLHC3S-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AiQGTNvq4wV9XT8PtLHC3S-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;It was a good decision&#8217; \u2013 Is Remco Evenepoel&#8217;s controversial break from racing behind his rising Tour de France form arc?<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EbXQU43miPWiqxuJ9y2vW7-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EbXQU43miPWiqxuJ9y2vW7-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;Something we could and should not accept&#8217; &#8211; Tour de France stage 15 winner Remco Evenepoel calls for CPA to take action over nighttime anti-doping testing<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2KdtWzqCpxy3BYdtvQsQkm-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2KdtWzqCpxy3BYdtvQsQkm-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;You should not consider it as boring at all&#8217; \u2013 Remco Evenepoel defends Tadej Poga\u010dar&#8217;s Tour de France dominance<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Evenepoel said that he had made a gesture of being upset when he crossed the line because he had wanted to go for the victory on Alpe d&#8217;Huez, and the feeling of such a major near-miss was not one he enjoyed.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I am super-satisfied regardless, but with my winner&#8217;s mentality there is a little bit of disappointment,&#8221; he told <em>Nieuwsblad<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;But that will go within half an hour. I was just 20 seconds behind Carapaz, so the climb should have been another two kilometres longer.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Sunday may yet turn out to be another chance for Evenepoel, though, and his runner-up spot in Paris, together with two stage wins, including a first summit finish victory in the Tour at Plateau de Solaison, will mark another high point in his career. In terms of the bigger picture, things could hardly have turned out better.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-4e4d114e-884d-11f1-b3e5-156c0d025b4d\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><strong>The world\u2019s biggest bike race deserves world-class coverage. Subscribe to Cyclingnews for unlimited access to our unrivalled reporting of the 2026 Tour de France. From Barcelona through to Paris, our experienced team will bring you breaking news, expert insight, and in-depth coverage from every stage as the battle for the yellow jersey plays out. Plus, access the Cyclingnews app to follow the action on the go! <\/strong><u><strong>Find out more.<\/strong><\/u><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"block mb-5\" id=\"articleTag\" data-component-name=\"PostArticleLinks\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"post-article-links\">\n<div class=\"border-b border-b-black border-solid py-2.5 text-black font-bold uppercase\">TOPICS<\/div>\n<nav class=\"py-2.5 flex gap-2.5 flex-wrap\" data-analytics-id=\"article-tag\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-tag\">\n<p>Road<\/p>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"slice-container-authorBio-iSHdc74XyLtLmsjBSL89wF\" class=\"slice-container slice-author-bio authorBio-iSHdc74XyLtLmsjBSL89wF slice-container-authorBio\">\n<div class=\"author author__default-layout author--separator author--collapsible\" data-hydrate=\"true\">\n<div class=\"author__header\">\n<div class=\"author__avatar-block\">\n<figure class=\"image-wrapped__wrapper\" data-bordeaux-image-check=\"false\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__widthsetter\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__aspect-padding\">\n<div><source class=\"author__avatar image-wrapped__image image__image\" type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5QLhaPay9asJvmaNsCjFVZ-140-80.jpg.webp 140w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5QLhaPay9asJvmaNsCjFVZ.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5QLhaPay9asJvmaNsCjFVZ.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5QLhaPay9asJvmaNsCjFVZ.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__heading\">\n<div class=\"author__name\">Alasdair Fotheringham<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__social\">\n<nav class=\"button-social-group author__social-buttons\" aria-labelledby=\"button-social-group- author__social-buttons\">\n<div id=\"button-social-group- author__social-buttons\">Social Links Navigation<\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__bio-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"author__biography\">\n<p>Alasdair Fotheringham has been reporting on cycling since 1991. He has covered every Tour de France since 1992 bar one, as well as numerous other bike races of all shapes and sizes, ranging from the Olympic Games in 2008 to the now sadly defunct Subida a Urkiola hill climb in Spain. As well as working for <em>Cyclingnews<\/em>, he has also written for <em>The Independent<\/em>,\u00a0 <em>The Guardian<\/em>,\u00a0 <em>ProCycling<\/em>, <em>The Express<\/em> and <em>Reuters<\/em>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"relative max-w-[1070px] viafoura-twig-component mt-6 mx-4 lg:mx-0\" data-component-name=\"Viafoura:Comments\" data-nosnippet data-community-guidelines-text=\"&lt;p class=&apos;vfcustom-community-guidelines&apos;&gt;Please follow our &lt;a href=&quot;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/about\/#section-community-guidelines&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;community guidelines&lt;\/a&gt;.&lt;\/p&gt;\" data-join-the-conversation-text=\"Join the Conversation\">\n<div class=\"absolute top-0 left-0 w-full h-full flex items-center justify-center z-50 bg-white\/90 border-1 rounded-b-[var(--comment-widget-border-radius,0)]\">\n<div class=\"p-2 text-center\">\n<p class=\"mb-3 text-lg!\">You must confirm your public display name before commenting<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-3 text-sm!\">Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"mx-2 my-5 sm:mx-0\">\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-adviser:hybrid\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Read more<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CJxPyyhkDZUijG7x9N8xid-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CJxPyyhkDZUijG7x9N8xid-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CJxPyyhkDZUijG7x9N8xid-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CJxPyyhkDZUijG7x9N8xid-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CJxPyyhkDZUijG7x9N8xid-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;It would be typically Belgian just to find the negatives&#8217; &#8211; Remco Evenepoel bounces back from mini-crisis to move onto Tour de France GC podium<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aiKdNouqrKSex5fGqxcPPY-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aiKdNouqrKSex5fGqxcPPY-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aiKdNouqrKSex5fGqxcPPY-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aiKdNouqrKSex5fGqxcPPY-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aiKdNouqrKSex5fGqxcPPY-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I lacked that extra punch&#8217; &#8211; Remco Evenepoel blames long period away from racing for lack of sprint on Tour de France stage 3 uphill finish<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zRoJ8eJpSCi2PYGNPJJJWT-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zRoJ8eJpSCi2PYGNPJJJWT-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zRoJ8eJpSCi2PYGNPJJJWT-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zRoJ8eJpSCi2PYGNPJJJWT-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zRoJ8eJpSCi2PYGNPJJJWT-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;With all those people, something was bound to go wrong&#8217; &#8211; Remco Evenepoel strengthens his Tour de France position despite being blocked by fans and motorbikes on Alpe d&#8217;Huez<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AiQGTNvq4wV9XT8PtLHC3S-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AiQGTNvq4wV9XT8PtLHC3S-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AiQGTNvq4wV9XT8PtLHC3S-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AiQGTNvq4wV9XT8PtLHC3S-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AiQGTNvq4wV9XT8PtLHC3S-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;It was a good decision&#8217; \u2013 Is Remco Evenepoel&#8217;s controversial break from racing behind his rising Tour de France form arc?<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EbXQU43miPWiqxuJ9y2vW7-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EbXQU43miPWiqxuJ9y2vW7-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EbXQU43miPWiqxuJ9y2vW7-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EbXQU43miPWiqxuJ9y2vW7-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EbXQU43miPWiqxuJ9y2vW7-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Something we could and should not accept&#8217; &#8211; Tour de France stage 15 winner Remco Evenepoel calls for CPA to take action over nighttime anti-doping testing<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2KdtWzqCpxy3BYdtvQsQkm-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2KdtWzqCpxy3BYdtvQsQkm-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2KdtWzqCpxy3BYdtvQsQkm-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2KdtWzqCpxy3BYdtvQsQkm-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2KdtWzqCpxy3BYdtvQsQkm-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;You should not consider it as boring at all&#8217; \u2013 Remco Evenepoel defends Tadej Poga\u010dar&#8217;s Tour de France dominance<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-category\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in Teams &amp; Riders<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HPKvgcuJjpsfEZbTivxfGY-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HPKvgcuJjpsfEZbTivxfGY-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HPKvgcuJjpsfEZbTivxfGY-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HPKvgcuJjpsfEZbTivxfGY-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HPKvgcuJjpsfEZbTivxfGY-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Not easy to finish on the podium being ill&#8217; &#8211; Isaac del Toro set to bring home third place in Tour de France and clear youth classification victory despite last-week struggles<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/E8G8rqbGkZUMG7RJupJM8W-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/E8G8rqbGkZUMG7RJupJM8W-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/E8G8rqbGkZUMG7RJupJM8W-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/E8G8rqbGkZUMG7RJupJM8W-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/E8G8rqbGkZUMG7RJupJM8W-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;We gambled it all on the third week&#8217; &#8211; Richard Carapaz fights back from tough summer of recovery to claim maximum climbing honours at Tour de France<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RkQ3caWJuvJd7TgKNKdKKn-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RkQ3caWJuvJd7TgKNKdKKn-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RkQ3caWJuvJd7TgKNKdKKn-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RkQ3caWJuvJd7TgKNKdKKn-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RkQ3caWJuvJd7TgKNKdKKn-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Sepp Kuss hit with big fine, time loss and points deduction for littering at Tour de France<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2kg2xC9diwF9XNFXFsPXp7-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2kg2xC9diwF9XNFXFsPXp7-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2kg2xC9diwF9XNFXFsPXp7-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2kg2xC9diwF9XNFXFsPXp7-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2kg2xC9diwF9XNFXFsPXp7-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">\u2018There\u2019s no enjoyment anymore\u2019 &#8211;  Julian Alaphilippe says this is his final Tour de France<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vFGTaJbgArQr7oLH69yXjn-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vFGTaJbgArQr7oLH69yXjn-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vFGTaJbgArQr7oLH69yXjn-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vFGTaJbgArQr7oLH69yXjn-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vFGTaJbgArQr7oLH69yXjn-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I&#8217;m impatient to get there&#8217; \u2013 Tadej Poga\u010dar closes in on fifth overall victory in Tour de France after successful yellow jersey defence on Alpe d&#8217;Huez<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aoPLmSESJtnFCw2GXTZtwW-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aoPLmSESJtnFCw2GXTZtwW-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aoPLmSESJtnFCw2GXTZtwW-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aoPLmSESJtnFCw2GXTZtwW-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aoPLmSESJtnFCw2GXTZtwW-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I cracked&#8217; &#8211; Paul Seixas goes all-in for the Tour de France podium but comes up short at Alpe d&#8217;Huez<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-articletype\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in News<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HPKvgcuJjpsfEZbTivxfGY-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HPKvgcuJjpsfEZbTivxfGY-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HPKvgcuJjpsfEZbTivxfGY-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HPKvgcuJjpsfEZbTivxfGY-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HPKvgcuJjpsfEZbTivxfGY-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Not easy to finish on the podium being ill&#8217; &#8211; Isaac del Toro set to bring home third place in Tour de France and clear youth classification victory despite last-week struggles<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/E8G8rqbGkZUMG7RJupJM8W-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/E8G8rqbGkZUMG7RJupJM8W-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/E8G8rqbGkZUMG7RJupJM8W-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/E8G8rqbGkZUMG7RJupJM8W-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/E8G8rqbGkZUMG7RJupJM8W-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;We gambled it all on the third week&#8217; &#8211; Richard Carapaz fights back from tough summer of recovery to claim maximum climbing honours at Tour de France<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RkQ3caWJuvJd7TgKNKdKKn-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RkQ3caWJuvJd7TgKNKdKKn-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RkQ3caWJuvJd7TgKNKdKKn-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RkQ3caWJuvJd7TgKNKdKKn-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RkQ3caWJuvJd7TgKNKdKKn-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Sepp Kuss hit with big fine, time loss and points deduction for littering at Tour de France<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2kg2xC9diwF9XNFXFsPXp7-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2kg2xC9diwF9XNFXFsPXp7-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2kg2xC9diwF9XNFXFsPXp7-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2kg2xC9diwF9XNFXFsPXp7-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2kg2xC9diwF9XNFXFsPXp7-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">\u2018There\u2019s no enjoyment anymore\u2019 &#8211;  Julian Alaphilippe says this is his final Tour de France<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vFGTaJbgArQr7oLH69yXjn-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vFGTaJbgArQr7oLH69yXjn-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vFGTaJbgArQr7oLH69yXjn-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vFGTaJbgArQr7oLH69yXjn-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vFGTaJbgArQr7oLH69yXjn-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I&#8217;m impatient to get there&#8217; \u2013 Tadej Poga\u010dar closes in on fifth overall victory in Tour de France after successful yellow jersey defence on Alpe d&#8217;Huez<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aoPLmSESJtnFCw2GXTZtwW-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aoPLmSESJtnFCw2GXTZtwW-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aoPLmSESJtnFCw2GXTZtwW-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aoPLmSESJtnFCw2GXTZtwW-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aoPLmSESJtnFCw2GXTZtwW-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I cracked&#8217; &#8211; Paul Seixas goes all-in for the Tour de France podium but comes up short at Alpe d&#8217;Huez<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"widgetArea17\" class=\"widget-area md:basis-1\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-1-3 page-widget-area-17\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"dynamic\" id=\"popular-data\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-dynamic widget-popular-data widget-dynamic-popular-data widget-dynamic-fter-popular-box\">\n<div class=\"wdn-fte-pb pos-relative space-t20\n\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"slice-container popular-box-slice\">\n<section class=\"popular-box\" data-component-name=\"Slice:PopularBox\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label__tab popular-box__label__tab--active\" role=\"heading\">\nLATEST ARTICLES\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<ol class=\"popular-box__articles-list popular-box__articles-list--active\">\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__image-wrapper\">\n<div>\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HPKvgcuJjpsfEZbTivxfGY-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HPKvgcuJjpsfEZbTivxfGY-720-80.jpg.webp 720w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HPKvgcuJjpsfEZbTivxfGY-640-80.jpg.webp 640w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HPKvgcuJjpsfEZbTivxfGY-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"99vw\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">1<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>&#8216;Not easy to finish on the podium being ill&#8217; &#8211; Isaac del Toro set to bring home third place in Tour de France and clear youth classification victory despite last-week struggles<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">2<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>&#8216;We gambled it all on the third week&#8217; &#8211; Richard Carapaz fights back from tough summer of recovery to claim maximum climbing honours at Tour de France<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">3<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>Sepp Kuss hit with big fine, time loss and points deduction for littering at Tour de France<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">4<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>&#8216;Proof that the disbelief in me is unfounded&#8217; \u2013 Remco Evenepoel hits back at critics as Tour de France second place overall is all but secured<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">5<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>\u2018There\u2019s no enjoyment anymore\u2019 &#8211; Julian Alaphilippe says this is his final Tour de France<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"page-content-onecol flex-1\nnews-article article\n\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"widget-area-group widget-area-group-2col flex flex-wrap box-border\">\n<div id=\"widgetArea16\" class=\"widget-area basis-full md:basis-2\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-2-3 page-widget-area-16\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"hero\" id=\"hero\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-hero widget-hero widget-hero-hero widget-hero widget-hero-fter-news\">\n<div class=\"news-article\">\n<header data-component-name=\"Article:Hero\">\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol>\n<li>\nPro Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nTeams &amp; Riders\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRed Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRemco Evenepoel\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>&#8216;Proof that the disbelief in me is unfounded&#8217; \u2013 Remco Evenepoel hits back at critics as Tour de France second place overall is all but secured<\/h1>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"vds-byline-block flex flex-row flex-nowrap my-1.5 gap-2 text-left items-start justify-start\" data-component-name=\"Article:BylineBlock\">\n<p>News<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-auto vds-simple-byline\"><span class=\"inline-block vds-author\"><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nAlasdair Fotheringham <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex gap-1 vds-byline-with-avatar__meta\"><span class=\"vds-date block font-normal tracking-normal normal-case text-xs\"><br \/>\nPublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-07-25T17:42:28Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n25 July 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">Belgian set for country&#8217;s highest podium finish in Tour since Lucien Van Impe runner-up behind Bernard Hinault in 1981 <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"text-gray-700 flex items-center mx-0 my-5 p-0 justify-start text-left\" id=\"affiliate-disclaimer\" data-component-name=\"AffiliateDisclaimer\" data-hawk-message=\"Affiliate disclaimer removed because hawk deemed there are no affiliate links on this page\">\n<p class=\"text-[color:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--text-color,inherit)] mb-2 text-[length:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--font-size,0.75rem)] leading-[18px] md:text-[13px] [&amp;&gt;a]:text-inherit [&amp;&gt;a]:underline\">\nWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here\u2019s how it works.\n<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<\/header>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-widget-type=\"contentparsed\" id=\"content\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-contentparsed widget-content widget-contentparsed-content widget-content-parsed widget-content-parsed-content_document \">\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<section class=\"content-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"box less-space hero-image-wrapper\">\n<figure class=\"mb-0\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GrVWt9agWpSs7HwXFauZQ4-1920-80.png.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GrVWt9agWpSs7HwXFauZQ4-1600-80.png.webp 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GrVWt9agWpSs7HwXFauZQ4-1200-80.png.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GrVWt9agWpSs7HwXFauZQ4-1024-80.png.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GrVWt9agWpSs7HwXFauZQ4-970-80.png.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GrVWt9agWpSs7HwXFauZQ4-750-80.png.webp 750w, 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article\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\"><span class=\"ml-1 inline-flex h-5 px-2 shrink-0 items-center justify-center self-center overflow-hidden whitespace-nowrap rounded-[10px] bg-primary-500 text-[11px] leading-none font-ui-heading font-semibold text-white\">11<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-join-the-conversation\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nJoin the conversation\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<p>Follow us<\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-add-us-as-a-preferred-source-on-google\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nAdd us as a preferred source on Google\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-subscribe-to-our-newsletter\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nSubscribe to our newsletter\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-4e4d102c-884d-11f1-a753-bbdd9eb8d99c\">Remco Evenepoel couldn&#8217;t quite win the final high mountain stage of the 2026 Tour de France, but the Belgian star&#8217;s confirmation of his second place overall more than made up for any sense of disappointment at the finish line of Alpe d&#8217;Huez on Saturday.<\/p>\n<p>Two years after his third place overall in the 2024 race, the Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe racer has moved up a spot in 2026, and barring absolute disaster on the last 89-kilometre run on Sunday through Paris, he is set to clinch Belgium&#8217;s best overall finish in the Tour since 1976 winner Lucien Van Impe finished second in 1981.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-4e4d102c-884d-11f1-a753-bbdd9eb8d99c-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Evenepoel almost managed to clinch what would have been Belgium&#8217;s first win in Alpe d&#8217;Huez, too, had he been able to close in on Richard Carapaz (EF Education-EasyPost) on the last four-kilometre ascent. But after attacking as soon as the chasing trio of himself, Isaac del Toro and yellow jersey Tadej Pogacar (both UAE Team Emirates-XRG) had reached the final unclassified climb up the Alpe and closing in on the Ecuadorian star as the finish line drew closer, he fell short by just 26 seconds.<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-6 w-full overflow-hidden rounded-[10px] lg:my-8\" data-component-name=\"JwPlayer:Carousel\" data-jwp-carousel data-jwp-carousel-payload=\"{&quot;ids&quot;:{&quot;playerID&quot;:&quot;jYDCcabO&quot;,&quot;searchPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;divID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;fallbackPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;fallbackDivID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;key&quot;:&quot;X9\/mXVGac0NphghLH9hZaqWA5d3dhAM\/Ih07grnEyMLjuO2E&quot;,&quot;tintLogo&quot;:true,&quot;useSearchPlaylist&quot;:false,&quot;enabled&quot;:true},&quot;signPostingEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;signPostingLinkEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;waitForAdLoad&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnDesktop&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnMobile&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnTablet&quot;:false}\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-nowrap items-center justify-between gap-3 bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-header>\n<div class=\"flex min-w-0 shrink items-center\"><span class=\"inline-flex items-center gap-1.5 text-sm font-article-heading capitalize leading-5 text-white whitespace-nowrap\"><span class=\"jwp-carousel-title-desktop\">Latest Videos From<\/span><span class=\"jwp-carousel-brand\">Cyclingnews<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"min-h-[44px] bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting><a class=\"invisible block truncate text-sm font-bold leading-5 text-white underline decoration-solid underline-offset-2\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting-link href target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-jwp-carousel-signposting-title>Watch full video here: <\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">There is still one more opportunity remaining for Evenepoel for a third 2026 Tour stage win on Sunday, where the race returns to the same climb of Butte Montmartre and the finish on the Champs-Elys\u00e9es where Evenepoel took Olympic road gold back in 2024.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">But in any case, the time for celebration of second overall has already all but arrived, with Evenepoel not missing the opportunity to fire off a message to his persistent critics back home in Belgium, too, saying &#8220;This is proof that the disbelief in me is unfounded.&#8221;<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            You may like<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CJxPyyhkDZUijG7x9N8xid-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CJxPyyhkDZUijG7x9N8xid-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;It would be typically Belgian just to find the negatives&#8217; &#8211; Remco Evenepoel bounces back from mini-crisis to move onto Tour de France GC podium<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aiKdNouqrKSex5fGqxcPPY-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aiKdNouqrKSex5fGqxcPPY-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;I lacked that extra punch&#8217; &#8211; Remco Evenepoel blames long period away from racing for lack of sprint on Tour de France stage 3 uphill finish<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zRoJ8eJpSCi2PYGNPJJJWT-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zRoJ8eJpSCi2PYGNPJJJWT-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;With all those people, something was bound to go wrong&#8217; &#8211; Remco Evenepoel strengthens his Tour de France position despite being blocked by fans and motorbikes on Alpe d&#8217;Huez<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I had another really good day; second place is wonderful. It was very tough to reach this level, but with all the necessary patience and all the necessary work behind the scenes, I managed it, so I am super satisfied with that,&#8221; Evenepoel told <em>Sporza<\/em> after stage 20.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Widely considered the best time triallist in the world, the 2026 Tour has not just seen Evenepoel take the stage 16 individual TT, as expected, but also turn in some notable high mountain performances, previously considered by some to be his Achilles heel.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-iSHdc74XyLtLmsjBSL89wF\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-iSHdc74XyLtLmsjBSL89wF slice-container-newsletterForm\">\n<div data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"newsletter-form__wrapper newsletter-form__wrapper--inbodyContent\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__container\">\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__top-bar\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__header\">Get The Leadout Newsletter<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__main-section\">\n<p class=\"newsletter-form__strapline\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<footer class=\"newsletter-form__footer \">By submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.<\/footer>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Quite apart from his victory against Del Toro and Poga\u010dar on stage 15, Evenepoel also came through the final Alpine challenges looking more than up to the task \u2013 as Saturday&#8217;s near-miss proved once again.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Second in the Tour is something not everyone can say. In recent years there have always been only two [top podium finishers]&#8221; \u2013 Poga\u010dar and Jonas Vingegaard \u2013 &#8221; and now it is someone else; I am super happy that I can be that person,&#8221; Evenepoel said.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Currently 6:26 behind Pogacar, nearly three minutes less than in 2024, &#8220;I am super proud of all the work of the team and everyone around me \u2013 [his wife] Oumi, my family, my parents, the whole team, it is fantastic. Tomorrow [Sunday] there is another great stage to try and win, but after that we are definitely going to celebrate.&#8221;<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            What to read next<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AiQGTNvq4wV9XT8PtLHC3S-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AiQGTNvq4wV9XT8PtLHC3S-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;It was a good decision&#8217; \u2013 Is Remco Evenepoel&#8217;s controversial break from racing behind his rising Tour de France form arc?<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EbXQU43miPWiqxuJ9y2vW7-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EbXQU43miPWiqxuJ9y2vW7-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;Something we could and should not accept&#8217; &#8211; Tour de France stage 15 winner Remco Evenepoel calls for CPA to take action over nighttime anti-doping testing<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2KdtWzqCpxy3BYdtvQsQkm-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2KdtWzqCpxy3BYdtvQsQkm-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;You should not consider it as boring at all&#8217; \u2013 Remco Evenepoel defends Tadej Poga\u010dar&#8217;s Tour de France dominance<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Evenepoel said that he had made a gesture of being upset when he crossed the line because he had wanted to go for the victory on Alpe d&#8217;Huez, and the feeling of such a major near-miss was not one he enjoyed.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I am super-satisfied regardless, but with my winner&#8217;s mentality there is a little bit of disappointment,&#8221; he told <em>Nieuwsblad<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;But that will go within half an hour. I was just 20 seconds behind Carapaz, so the climb should have been another two kilometres longer.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Sunday may yet turn out to be another chance for Evenepoel, though, and his runner-up spot in Paris, together with two stage wins, including a first summit finish victory in the Tour at Plateau de Solaison, will mark another high point in his career. In terms of the bigger picture, things could hardly have turned out better.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-4e4d114e-884d-11f1-b3e5-156c0d025b4d\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><strong>The world\u2019s biggest bike race deserves world-class coverage. Subscribe to Cyclingnews for unlimited access to our unrivalled reporting of the 2026 Tour de France. From Barcelona through to Paris, our experienced team will bring you breaking news, expert insight, and in-depth coverage from every stage as the battle for the yellow jersey plays out. Plus, access the Cyclingnews app to follow the action on the go! <\/strong><u><strong>Find out more.<\/strong><\/u><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"block mb-5\" id=\"articleTag\" data-component-name=\"PostArticleLinks\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"post-article-links\">\n<div class=\"border-b border-b-black border-solid py-2.5 text-black font-bold uppercase\">TOPICS<\/div>\n<nav class=\"py-2.5 flex gap-2.5 flex-wrap\" data-analytics-id=\"article-tag\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-tag\">\n<p>Road<\/p>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"slice-container-authorBio-iSHdc74XyLtLmsjBSL89wF\" class=\"slice-container slice-author-bio authorBio-iSHdc74XyLtLmsjBSL89wF slice-container-authorBio\">\n<div class=\"author author__default-layout author--separator author--collapsible\" data-hydrate=\"true\">\n<div class=\"author__header\">\n<div class=\"author__avatar-block\">\n<figure class=\"image-wrapped__wrapper\" data-bordeaux-image-check=\"false\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__widthsetter\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__aspect-padding\">\n<div><source class=\"author__avatar image-wrapped__image image__image\" type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5QLhaPay9asJvmaNsCjFVZ-140-80.jpg.webp 140w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5QLhaPay9asJvmaNsCjFVZ.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5QLhaPay9asJvmaNsCjFVZ.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5QLhaPay9asJvmaNsCjFVZ.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__heading\">\n<div class=\"author__name\">Alasdair Fotheringham<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__social\">\n<nav class=\"button-social-group author__social-buttons\" aria-labelledby=\"button-social-group- author__social-buttons\">\n<div id=\"button-social-group- author__social-buttons\">Social Links Navigation<\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__bio-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"author__biography\">\n<p>Alasdair Fotheringham has been reporting on cycling since 1991. He has covered every Tour de France since 1992 bar one, as well as numerous other bike races of all shapes and sizes, ranging from the Olympic Games in 2008 to the now sadly defunct Subida a Urkiola hill climb in Spain. As well as working for <em>Cyclingnews<\/em>, he has also written for <em>The Independent<\/em>,\u00a0 <em>The Guardian<\/em>,\u00a0 <em>ProCycling<\/em>, <em>The Express<\/em> and <em>Reuters<\/em>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"relative max-w-[1070px] viafoura-twig-component mt-6 mx-4 lg:mx-0\" data-component-name=\"Viafoura:Comments\" data-nosnippet data-community-guidelines-text=\"&lt;p class=&apos;vfcustom-community-guidelines&apos;&gt;Please follow our &lt;a href=&quot;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/about\/#section-community-guidelines&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;community guidelines&lt;\/a&gt;.&lt;\/p&gt;\" data-join-the-conversation-text=\"Join the Conversation\">\n<div class=\"absolute top-0 left-0 w-full h-full flex items-center justify-center z-50 bg-white\/90 border-1 rounded-b-[var(--comment-widget-border-radius,0)]\">\n<div class=\"p-2 text-center\">\n<p class=\"mb-3 text-lg!\">You must confirm your public display name before commenting<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-3 text-sm!\">Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"mx-2 my-5 sm:mx-0\">\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-adviser:hybrid\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Read more<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CJxPyyhkDZUijG7x9N8xid-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CJxPyyhkDZUijG7x9N8xid-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CJxPyyhkDZUijG7x9N8xid-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CJxPyyhkDZUijG7x9N8xid-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CJxPyyhkDZUijG7x9N8xid-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;It would be typically Belgian just to find the negatives&#8217; &#8211; Remco Evenepoel bounces back from mini-crisis to move onto Tour de France GC podium<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aiKdNouqrKSex5fGqxcPPY-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aiKdNouqrKSex5fGqxcPPY-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aiKdNouqrKSex5fGqxcPPY-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aiKdNouqrKSex5fGqxcPPY-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aiKdNouqrKSex5fGqxcPPY-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I lacked that extra punch&#8217; &#8211; Remco Evenepoel blames long period away from racing for lack of sprint on Tour de France stage 3 uphill finish<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zRoJ8eJpSCi2PYGNPJJJWT-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zRoJ8eJpSCi2PYGNPJJJWT-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zRoJ8eJpSCi2PYGNPJJJWT-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zRoJ8eJpSCi2PYGNPJJJWT-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zRoJ8eJpSCi2PYGNPJJJWT-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;With all those people, something was bound to go wrong&#8217; &#8211; Remco Evenepoel strengthens his Tour de France position despite being blocked by fans and motorbikes on Alpe d&#8217;Huez<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AiQGTNvq4wV9XT8PtLHC3S-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AiQGTNvq4wV9XT8PtLHC3S-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AiQGTNvq4wV9XT8PtLHC3S-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AiQGTNvq4wV9XT8PtLHC3S-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AiQGTNvq4wV9XT8PtLHC3S-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;It was a good decision&#8217; \u2013 Is Remco Evenepoel&#8217;s controversial break from racing behind his rising Tour de France form arc?<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EbXQU43miPWiqxuJ9y2vW7-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EbXQU43miPWiqxuJ9y2vW7-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EbXQU43miPWiqxuJ9y2vW7-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EbXQU43miPWiqxuJ9y2vW7-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EbXQU43miPWiqxuJ9y2vW7-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Something we could and should not accept&#8217; &#8211; Tour de France stage 15 winner Remco Evenepoel calls for CPA to take action over nighttime anti-doping testing<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2KdtWzqCpxy3BYdtvQsQkm-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2KdtWzqCpxy3BYdtvQsQkm-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2KdtWzqCpxy3BYdtvQsQkm-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2KdtWzqCpxy3BYdtvQsQkm-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2KdtWzqCpxy3BYdtvQsQkm-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;You should not consider it as boring at all&#8217; \u2013 Remco Evenepoel defends Tadej Poga\u010dar&#8217;s Tour de France dominance<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-category\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in Teams &amp; Riders<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HPKvgcuJjpsfEZbTivxfGY-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HPKvgcuJjpsfEZbTivxfGY-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HPKvgcuJjpsfEZbTivxfGY-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HPKvgcuJjpsfEZbTivxfGY-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HPKvgcuJjpsfEZbTivxfGY-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Not easy to finish on the podium being ill&#8217; &#8211; Isaac del Toro set to bring home third place in Tour de France and clear youth classification victory despite last-week struggles<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/E8G8rqbGkZUMG7RJupJM8W-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/E8G8rqbGkZUMG7RJupJM8W-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/E8G8rqbGkZUMG7RJupJM8W-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/E8G8rqbGkZUMG7RJupJM8W-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/E8G8rqbGkZUMG7RJupJM8W-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;We gambled it all on the third week&#8217; &#8211; Richard Carapaz fights back from tough summer of recovery to claim maximum climbing honours at Tour de France<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RkQ3caWJuvJd7TgKNKdKKn-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RkQ3caWJuvJd7TgKNKdKKn-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RkQ3caWJuvJd7TgKNKdKKn-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RkQ3caWJuvJd7TgKNKdKKn-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RkQ3caWJuvJd7TgKNKdKKn-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Sepp Kuss hit with big fine, time loss and points deduction for littering at Tour de France<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2kg2xC9diwF9XNFXFsPXp7-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2kg2xC9diwF9XNFXFsPXp7-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2kg2xC9diwF9XNFXFsPXp7-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2kg2xC9diwF9XNFXFsPXp7-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2kg2xC9diwF9XNFXFsPXp7-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">\u2018There\u2019s no enjoyment anymore\u2019 &#8211;  Julian Alaphilippe says this is his final Tour de France<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vFGTaJbgArQr7oLH69yXjn-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vFGTaJbgArQr7oLH69yXjn-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vFGTaJbgArQr7oLH69yXjn-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vFGTaJbgArQr7oLH69yXjn-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vFGTaJbgArQr7oLH69yXjn-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I&#8217;m impatient to get there&#8217; \u2013 Tadej Poga\u010dar closes in on fifth overall victory in Tour de France after successful yellow jersey defence on Alpe d&#8217;Huez<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aoPLmSESJtnFCw2GXTZtwW-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aoPLmSESJtnFCw2GXTZtwW-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aoPLmSESJtnFCw2GXTZtwW-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aoPLmSESJtnFCw2GXTZtwW-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aoPLmSESJtnFCw2GXTZtwW-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I cracked&#8217; &#8211; Paul Seixas goes all-in for the Tour de France podium but comes up short at Alpe d&#8217;Huez<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-articletype\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in News<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HPKvgcuJjpsfEZbTivxfGY-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HPKvgcuJjpsfEZbTivxfGY-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HPKvgcuJjpsfEZbTivxfGY-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HPKvgcuJjpsfEZbTivxfGY-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HPKvgcuJjpsfEZbTivxfGY-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Not easy to finish on the podium being ill&#8217; &#8211; Isaac del Toro set to bring home third place in Tour de France and clear youth classification victory despite last-week struggles<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/E8G8rqbGkZUMG7RJupJM8W-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/E8G8rqbGkZUMG7RJupJM8W-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/E8G8rqbGkZUMG7RJupJM8W-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/E8G8rqbGkZUMG7RJupJM8W-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/E8G8rqbGkZUMG7RJupJM8W-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;We gambled it all on the third week&#8217; &#8211; Richard Carapaz fights back from tough summer of recovery to claim maximum climbing honours at Tour de France<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RkQ3caWJuvJd7TgKNKdKKn-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RkQ3caWJuvJd7TgKNKdKKn-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RkQ3caWJuvJd7TgKNKdKKn-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RkQ3caWJuvJd7TgKNKdKKn-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RkQ3caWJuvJd7TgKNKdKKn-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Sepp Kuss hit with big fine, time loss and points deduction for littering at Tour de France<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2kg2xC9diwF9XNFXFsPXp7-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2kg2xC9diwF9XNFXFsPXp7-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2kg2xC9diwF9XNFXFsPXp7-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2kg2xC9diwF9XNFXFsPXp7-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2kg2xC9diwF9XNFXFsPXp7-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">\u2018There\u2019s no enjoyment anymore\u2019 &#8211;  Julian Alaphilippe says this is his final Tour de France<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vFGTaJbgArQr7oLH69yXjn-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vFGTaJbgArQr7oLH69yXjn-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vFGTaJbgArQr7oLH69yXjn-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vFGTaJbgArQr7oLH69yXjn-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vFGTaJbgArQr7oLH69yXjn-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I&#8217;m impatient to get there&#8217; \u2013 Tadej Poga\u010dar closes in on fifth overall victory in Tour de France after successful yellow jersey defence on Alpe d&#8217;Huez<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aoPLmSESJtnFCw2GXTZtwW-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aoPLmSESJtnFCw2GXTZtwW-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aoPLmSESJtnFCw2GXTZtwW-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aoPLmSESJtnFCw2GXTZtwW-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aoPLmSESJtnFCw2GXTZtwW-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I cracked&#8217; &#8211; Paul Seixas goes all-in for the Tour de France podium but comes up short at Alpe d&#8217;Huez<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"widgetArea17\" class=\"widget-area md:basis-1\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-1-3 page-widget-area-17\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"dynamic\" id=\"popular-data\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-dynamic widget-popular-data widget-dynamic-popular-data widget-dynamic-fter-popular-box\">\n<div class=\"wdn-fte-pb pos-relative space-t20\n\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"slice-container popular-box-slice\">\n<section class=\"popular-box\" data-component-name=\"Slice:PopularBox\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label__tab popular-box__label__tab--active\" role=\"heading\">\nLATEST ARTICLES\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<ol class=\"popular-box__articles-list popular-box__articles-list--active\">\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__image-wrapper\">\n<div>\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HPKvgcuJjpsfEZbTivxfGY-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HPKvgcuJjpsfEZbTivxfGY-720-80.jpg.webp 720w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HPKvgcuJjpsfEZbTivxfGY-640-80.jpg.webp 640w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HPKvgcuJjpsfEZbTivxfGY-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"99vw\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">1<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>&#8216;Not easy to finish on the podium being ill&#8217; &#8211; Isaac del Toro set to bring home third place in Tour de France and clear youth classification victory despite last-week struggles<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">2<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>&#8216;We gambled it all on the third week&#8217; &#8211; Richard Carapaz fights back from tough summer of recovery to claim maximum climbing honours at Tour de France<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">3<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>Sepp Kuss hit with big fine, time loss and points deduction for littering at Tour de France<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">4<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>&#8216;Proof that the disbelief in me is unfounded&#8217; \u2013 Remco Evenepoel hits back at critics as Tour de France second place overall is all but secured<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">5<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>\u2018There\u2019s no enjoyment anymore\u2019 &#8211; Julian Alaphilippe says this is his final Tour de France<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"news-article\">\n<header data-component-name=\"Article:Hero\">\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol>\n<li>\nPro Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nTeams &amp; Riders\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRed Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRemco Evenepoel\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>&#8216;Proof that the disbelief in me is unfounded&#8217; \u2013 Remco Evenepoel hits back at critics as Tour de France second place overall is all but secured<\/h1>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"vds-byline-block flex flex-row flex-nowrap my-1.5 gap-2 text-left items-start justify-start\" data-component-name=\"Article:BylineBlock\">\n<p>News<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-auto vds-simple-byline\"><span class=\"inline-block vds-author\"><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nAlasdair Fotheringham <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex gap-1 vds-byline-with-avatar__meta\"><span class=\"vds-date block font-normal tracking-normal normal-case text-xs\"><br \/>\nPublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-07-25T17:42:28Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n25 July 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">Belgian set for country&#8217;s highest podium finish in Tour since Lucien Van Impe runner-up behind Bernard Hinault in 1981 <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"text-gray-700 flex items-center mx-0 my-5 p-0 justify-start text-left\" id=\"affiliate-disclaimer\" data-component-name=\"AffiliateDisclaimer\" data-hawk-message=\"Affiliate disclaimer removed because hawk deemed there are no affiliate links on this page\">\n<p class=\"text-[color:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--text-color,inherit)] mb-2 text-[length:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--font-size,0.75rem)] leading-[18px] md:text-[13px] [&amp;&gt;a]:text-inherit [&amp;&gt;a]:underline\">\nWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here\u2019s how it works.\n<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<\/header>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"article-body\" class=\"text-copy bodyCopy auto paywall-locker\">\n<div data-analytics-id=\"utility-bar\" id=\"utility-bar\" class=\"font-ui-heading flex justify-between items-center py-2 border-t border-b border-gray-300 border-solid mb-5 mx-auto\" data-component-name=\"UtilityBar\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"utility-bar\">\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div data-component-name=\"Social:Dropdown\" role=\"menu\" id=\"utilitybar__dropdown--share\" aria-labelledby=\"utilitybar__button--share\" class=\"absolute left-0 top-full w-44 bg-white rounded-md shadow-md border border-neutral-200 z-[9996] list-none m-0 py-2 px-3 border-solid\">\n<ul class=\"m-0!\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Facebook<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>X<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Pinterest<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Email<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-share-this-article\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nShare this article\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\"><span class=\"ml-1 inline-flex h-5 px-2 shrink-0 items-center justify-center self-center overflow-hidden whitespace-nowrap rounded-[10px] bg-primary-500 text-[11px] leading-none font-ui-heading font-semibold text-white\">11<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-join-the-conversation\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nJoin the conversation\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<p>Follow us<\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-add-us-as-a-preferred-source-on-google\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nAdd us as a preferred source on Google\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-subscribe-to-our-newsletter\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nSubscribe to our newsletter\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-4e4d102c-884d-11f1-a753-bbdd9eb8d99c\">Remco Evenepoel couldn&#8217;t quite win the final high mountain stage of the 2026 Tour de France, but the Belgian star&#8217;s confirmation of his second place overall more than made up for any sense of disappointment at the finish line of Alpe d&#8217;Huez on Saturday.<\/p>\n<p>Two years after his third place overall in the 2024 race, the Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe racer has moved up a spot in 2026, and barring absolute disaster on the last 89-kilometre run on Sunday through Paris, he is set to clinch Belgium&#8217;s best overall finish in the Tour since 1976 winner Lucien Van Impe finished second in 1981.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-4e4d102c-884d-11f1-a753-bbdd9eb8d99c-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Evenepoel almost managed to clinch what would have been Belgium&#8217;s first win in Alpe d&#8217;Huez, too, had he been able to close in on Richard Carapaz (EF Education-EasyPost) on the last four-kilometre ascent. But after attacking as soon as the chasing trio of himself, Isaac del Toro and yellow jersey Tadej Pogacar (both UAE Team Emirates-XRG) had reached the final unclassified climb up the Alpe and closing in on the Ecuadorian star as the finish line drew closer, he fell short by just 26 seconds.<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-6 w-full overflow-hidden rounded-[10px] lg:my-8\" data-component-name=\"JwPlayer:Carousel\" data-jwp-carousel data-jwp-carousel-payload=\"{&quot;ids&quot;:{&quot;playerID&quot;:&quot;jYDCcabO&quot;,&quot;searchPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;divID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;fallbackPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;fallbackDivID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;key&quot;:&quot;X9\/mXVGac0NphghLH9hZaqWA5d3dhAM\/Ih07grnEyMLjuO2E&quot;,&quot;tintLogo&quot;:true,&quot;useSearchPlaylist&quot;:false,&quot;enabled&quot;:true},&quot;signPostingEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;signPostingLinkEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;waitForAdLoad&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnDesktop&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnMobile&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnTablet&quot;:false}\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-nowrap items-center justify-between gap-3 bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-header>\n<div class=\"flex min-w-0 shrink items-center\"><span class=\"inline-flex items-center gap-1.5 text-sm font-article-heading capitalize leading-5 text-white whitespace-nowrap\"><span class=\"jwp-carousel-title-desktop\">Latest Videos From<\/span><span class=\"jwp-carousel-brand\">Cyclingnews<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"min-h-[44px] bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting><a class=\"invisible block truncate text-sm font-bold leading-5 text-white underline decoration-solid underline-offset-2\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting-link href target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-jwp-carousel-signposting-title>Watch full video here: <\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">There is still one more opportunity remaining for Evenepoel for a third 2026 Tour stage win on Sunday, where the race returns to the same climb of Butte Montmartre and the finish on the Champs-Elys\u00e9es where Evenepoel took Olympic road gold back in 2024.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">But in any case, the time for celebration of second overall has already all but arrived, with Evenepoel not missing the opportunity to fire off a message to his persistent critics back home in Belgium, too, saying &#8220;This is proof that the disbelief in me is unfounded.&#8221;<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            You may like<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CJxPyyhkDZUijG7x9N8xid-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CJxPyyhkDZUijG7x9N8xid-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;It would be typically Belgian just to find the negatives&#8217; &#8211; Remco Evenepoel bounces back from mini-crisis to move onto Tour de France GC podium<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aiKdNouqrKSex5fGqxcPPY-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aiKdNouqrKSex5fGqxcPPY-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;I lacked that extra punch&#8217; &#8211; Remco Evenepoel blames long period away from racing for lack of sprint on Tour de France stage 3 uphill finish<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zRoJ8eJpSCi2PYGNPJJJWT-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zRoJ8eJpSCi2PYGNPJJJWT-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;With all those people, something was bound to go wrong&#8217; &#8211; Remco Evenepoel strengthens his Tour de France position despite being blocked by fans and motorbikes on Alpe d&#8217;Huez<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I had another really good day; second place is wonderful. It was very tough to reach this level, but with all the necessary patience and all the necessary work behind the scenes, I managed it, so I am super satisfied with that,&#8221; Evenepoel told <em>Sporza<\/em> after stage 20.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Widely considered the best time triallist in the world, the 2026 Tour has not just seen Evenepoel take the stage 16 individual TT, as expected, but also turn in some notable high mountain performances, previously considered by some to be his Achilles heel.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-iSHdc74XyLtLmsjBSL89wF\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-iSHdc74XyLtLmsjBSL89wF slice-container-newsletterForm\">\n<div data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"newsletter-form__wrapper newsletter-form__wrapper--inbodyContent\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__container\">\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__top-bar\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__header\">Get The Leadout Newsletter<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__main-section\">\n<p class=\"newsletter-form__strapline\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<footer class=\"newsletter-form__footer \">By submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.<\/footer>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Quite apart from his victory against Del Toro and Poga\u010dar on stage 15, Evenepoel also came through the final Alpine challenges looking more than up to the task \u2013 as Saturday&#8217;s near-miss proved once again.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Second in the Tour is something not everyone can say. In recent years there have always been only two [top podium finishers]&#8221; \u2013 Poga\u010dar and Jonas Vingegaard \u2013 &#8221; and now it is someone else; I am super happy that I can be that person,&#8221; Evenepoel said.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Currently 6:26 behind Pogacar, nearly three minutes less than in 2024, &#8220;I am super proud of all the work of the team and everyone around me \u2013 [his wife] Oumi, my family, my parents, the whole team, it is fantastic. Tomorrow [Sunday] there is another great stage to try and win, but after that we are definitely going to celebrate.&#8221;<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            What to read next<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AiQGTNvq4wV9XT8PtLHC3S-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AiQGTNvq4wV9XT8PtLHC3S-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;It was a good decision&#8217; \u2013 Is Remco Evenepoel&#8217;s controversial break from racing behind his rising Tour de France form arc?<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EbXQU43miPWiqxuJ9y2vW7-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EbXQU43miPWiqxuJ9y2vW7-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;Something we could and should not accept&#8217; &#8211; Tour de France stage 15 winner Remco Evenepoel calls for CPA to take action over nighttime anti-doping testing<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2KdtWzqCpxy3BYdtvQsQkm-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2KdtWzqCpxy3BYdtvQsQkm-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;You should not consider it as boring at all&#8217; \u2013 Remco Evenepoel defends Tadej Poga\u010dar&#8217;s Tour de France dominance<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Evenepoel said that he had made a gesture of being upset when he crossed the line because he had wanted to go for the victory on Alpe d&#8217;Huez, and the feeling of such a major near-miss was not one he enjoyed.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I am super-satisfied regardless, but with my winner&#8217;s mentality there is a little bit of disappointment,&#8221; he told <em>Nieuwsblad<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;But that will go within half an hour. I was just 20 seconds behind Carapaz, so the climb should have been another two kilometres longer.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Sunday may yet turn out to be another chance for Evenepoel, though, and his runner-up spot in Paris, together with two stage wins, including a first summit finish victory in the Tour at Plateau de Solaison, will mark another high point in his career. In terms of the bigger picture, things could hardly have turned out better.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-4e4d114e-884d-11f1-b3e5-156c0d025b4d\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><strong>The world\u2019s biggest bike race deserves world-class coverage. Subscribe to Cyclingnews for unlimited access to our unrivalled reporting of the 2026 Tour de France. From Barcelona through to Paris, our experienced team will bring you breaking news, expert insight, and in-depth coverage from every stage as the battle for the yellow jersey plays out. Plus, access the Cyclingnews app to follow the action on the go! <\/strong><u><strong>Find out more.<\/strong><\/u><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/teams-riders\/proof-that-the-disbelief-in-me-is-unfounded-remco-evenepoel-hits-back-at-critics-as-tour-de-france-second-place-overall-is-all-but-secured\/&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GrVWt9agWpSs7HwXFauZQ4-2560-80.png&#8221;] 1 Tour de France GC standings \u2013 Race leader Tadej Poga\u010dar all but confirms fifth title with one stage remaining 2 &#8216;There was a misunderstanding, but Remco was better&#8217; \u2013 Tadej Poga\u010dar\u00a0suffers a rare defeat as he turns domestique at Tour de France 3 As it happened: World champion triumphs in Tour [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[226,68],"class_list":["post-2062192","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-politics","tag-crawlmanager","tag-cyclingnews-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2062192","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2062192"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2062192\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2062192"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2062192"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2062192"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}