{"id":2063434,"date":"2026-07-26T22:39:54","date_gmt":"2026-07-26T19:39:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2063434"},"modified":"2026-07-26T22:39:54","modified_gmt":"2026-07-26T19:39:54","slug":"ive-shown-i-deserve-to-dream-remco-evenepoel-says-second-place-in-tour-de-france-confirms-belief-as-he-pursues-future-grand-tour-victories","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2063434","title":{"rendered":"&#8216;I&#8217;ve shown I deserve to dream&#8217; &#8211; Remco Evenepoel says second place in Tour de France confirms belief as he pursues future Grand Tour victories"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hR7NGbgjrJkexsJ9woJGzc-2000-80.jpg&#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\/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-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                                    &#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 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\/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\">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                                    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=\"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\/qXZVzz8cHQ3QJ5bHd2UZiD-160-80.jpg.webp 160w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qXZVzz8cHQ3QJ5bHd2UZiD-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: Astonishing finale to a dramatic last stage of the Tour de France as Poga\u010dar is crowned\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;I&#8217;ve shown I deserve to dream&#8217; &#8211; Remco Evenepoel says second place in Tour de France confirms belief as he pursues future Grand Tour victories<\/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=\"2026-07-26T22:39:54Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n26 July 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">The 26-year-old ready to continue battling for top results at three-week races after best Tour result to date<\/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\/hR7NGbgjrJkexsJ9woJGzc-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hR7NGbgjrJkexsJ9woJGzc-1600-80.jpg.webp 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hR7NGbgjrJkexsJ9woJGzc-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hR7NGbgjrJkexsJ9woJGzc-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hR7NGbgjrJkexsJ9woJGzc-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hR7NGbgjrJkexsJ9woJGzc-750-80.jpg.webp 750w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hR7NGbgjrJkexsJ9woJGzc-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hR7NGbgjrJkexsJ9woJGzc-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hR7NGbgjrJkexsJ9woJGzc-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 600px, 100vw\" \/><figcaption class=\"font-article-copy text-(--image--text--color) font-article-copy mt-2\"><span class=\"caption-text font-article-copy\">Remco Evenepoel (Red Bull-Bora Hansgrohe) rolls over the final line of the 2026 Tour de France<\/span><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\">2<\/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-2adb7832-8937-11f1-992d-55b329585734\">Onwards and upwards. Remco Evenepoel&#8217;s seventh Grand Tour and third Tour de France will very likely mark a &#8216;before&#8217; and &#8216;after&#8217; in his career plans, he told journalists in Paris on Sunday, with second place overall behind Tadej Poga\u010dar and two stage wins confirming that he definitely has a future in battling for victory in three-week races.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ve shown I deserve to dream,&#8221; the 26-year-old said a few hours after standing on the final Tour de France podium between overall winner Poga\u010dar and the Slovenian&#8217;s UAE Team Emirates-XRG teammate, third-placed Isaac del Toro.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-2adb7832-8937-11f1-992d-55b329585734-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Second place proved to myself that I did well to not let go my dream of stepping up on Grand Tours podiums, as much as possible, and aiming to try to win them because that&#8217;s my career goal,&#8221; the Belgian explained.<\/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\">&#8220;After this result I&#8217;ve shown to my team, to myself and to the outside world I deserve to dream and aim for that.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Perhaps unsurprisingly after an exceptionally long spell away from racing and just concentrating on building for the Tour, Evenepoel&#8217;s 2026 Tour got off to a relatively slow start, his Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe squad losing more time than expected as it finished 19 seconds down in the opening team time trial.<\/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\/GrVWt9agWpSs7HwXFauZQ4-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GrVWt9agWpSs7HwXFauZQ4-150-80.png.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;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<\/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\/CZEVvXJSXdg39mQVz8Q7a4-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CZEVvXJSXdg39mQVz8Q7a4-150-80.png.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;Only winning is good enough&#8217; \u2013 Remco Evenepoel faces unreasonably high Belgian expectations at Tour de France, writes Thomas De Gendt<\/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\/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<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">He then dropped behind both Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) and Poga\u010dar on the Tourmalet on stage 6 and matters worsened in the long drag up to the finish at Gavarnie-Gedre, with Evenepoel later publicly lambasting his co-leader Florian Lipowitz for not helping him more in the finale. However, by Le Lioran, even after Evenepoel seemed to struggle late on a minor ascent, he then staged a spectacular bounce-back in the final drag to claim second and the hatchet appeared to have been buried for good between himself and his German teammate.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Evenepoel&#8217;s continuing rise to top Tour de France form continued with a fifth place at the next major mountain stage of Le Markstein, where Evenepoel was able to limit the damage despite being blocked by an organisation vehicle late on and suffering in the rain and cold. But the Belgian really began hitting the high notes at Plateau de Solaison on stage 15 where he moved away with Poga\u010dar and Del Toro close to the summit to clinch his first ever mountain-top victory in the Tour de France.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-ez3M7Mz99mF9WQmjyR8hd9\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-ez3M7Mz99mF9WQmjyR8hd9 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<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-201ff808-893e-11f1-a56e-a93bd6e6ee94\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cSEdrt6Ssk3K89gq8Va57d-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cSEdrt6Ssk3K89gq8Va57d-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cSEdrt6Ssk3K89gq8Va57d-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cSEdrt6Ssk3K89gq8Va57d-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cSEdrt6Ssk3K89gq8Va57d-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cSEdrt6Ssk3K89gq8Va57d-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Remco Evenepoel (Red Bull-Bora Hansgrohe) wins on Plateau de Solaison on stage 15 <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-5c3507f8-8938-11f1-8964-5510a340ce67\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">From then on, Evenepoel went from strength to strength. If claiming the time trial victory at Thonon-les-Bains 48 hours later was expected, second place in the final stage up Alpe d&#8217;Huez on Saturday confirmed that his mountain performances are consistently much stronger than they have ever been in the Tour.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">For his team, losing fellow GC contender Lipowitz represented a major setback, both on the tactical side and in terms of what the 2025 podium finisher could have achieved. But for Evenepoel, these vastly improved climbing results combined with his ongoing time trial success continue to reinforce his dream of advancing towards greater Grand Tour success.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;There&#8217;s the fact that I was still on a very good level in the second weekend and all through the last week, in terms of my climbing performance on stage 15, too and also yesterday [stage 20] was really good,&#8221; Evenepoel said.<\/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\/TVzDoFu3LZqS9Y9RFckjEN-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TVzDoFu3LZqS9Y9RFckjEN-150-80.png.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;Just try to ride the third week of my life&#8217; \u2013 No room for getting carried away for Remco Evenepoel despite becoming closest challenger to Poga\u010dar at Tour de France<\/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\/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-[#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\/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<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Not only that, in the time trial I also did one of best ever 15 minutes on the opening climb, so it shows that my end of Tour level was really good. There were also no signs of cracking after a perfect preparation and that showed to myself and to my team that I was on a high level for three weeks.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I still feel pretty fresh, with no real fatigue, I think that&#8217;s good and I think we will take that towards the future.&#8221;<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"finding-the-right-balance-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Finding the right balance<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-ea4d4ada-893a-11f1-95c2-c1a86b941bce\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Evenepoel&#8217;s complicated relationship with his home media, given the intense scrutiny only a top racer in a cycling-mad country like Belgium constantly produces, has been a constant topic throughout his career. But he admitted that perhaps estimates of what he could do had dropped somewhat, given his poor performances in the high mountains in two of his warm-up races, the Volta a Catalunya \u2013 where a crash did nothing to help matters \u2013 and again in UAE.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;But for myself, for the team we achieved what we were aiming for, a stage win and finishing on the podium in 2024,&#8221; he said, &#8220;in fact we got two stage wins, two very nice second places, that shows I&#8217;ve gone up a step really in terms of performance, climbing level and on the hardest stages, too.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Expectations are a little bit lower, pressure still high, but all good, and now we see what the run-in will be for next Tour.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The lack of reference points for Evenepoel in the immediate countdown to the Tour perhaps also helped the speculation about a top result to diminish too, given he had spent nearly two months away from racing after Li\u00e8ge-Bastogne-Li\u00e8ge before heading directly to the Tour. But that also meant, too, that given the mini-vacuum of recent results, his second place in Paris has even more of a feel of a standout result for the rider who won the 2022 Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;It was an approach I like because I know it&#8217;s better for me to do things discreetly,&#8221; Evenepoel said about his long training camps before the Tour.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;We did things well, we concentrated on physique, the mental side of things, my weight, all without going over the limit. For the future, we&#8217;ve got lots of good info.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The benefits of Evenepoel&#8217;s unconventional approach were there for all to see in the closing week in particular and even on the very last day, where after finishing second on the Alpe d&#8217;Huez on stage 20, just over 24 hours later he was back in the thick of the action in a Classics-style finale over the Butte Montmartre climb on stage 21.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;It was pretty nice, the first lap I just wanted to get into the rhythm of things and see how the bunch would behave, then on the second lap I went for it, with a perfect leadout in Montmartre,&#8221; Evenepoel recounted.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I came back [on earlier attackers Poga\u010dar and eventual winner Mathieu van der Poel] over the top, then in third time over the climb, I felt there were still a lot of sprinters, it was too nervous and I wanted to think about next week because I still have a nice big race&#8221; \u2013 the Cl\u00e1sica San Sebasti\u00e1n \u2013 &#8220;coming I was not willing to take big risks for positions. So I decided to try to arrive safely and enjoy my second place.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;It was great to have been with Mathieu, Tadej and Mads [Pedersen, Lidl-Trek] also joining at some point on the second lap, though.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;At that point I thought the race was over, but the sprinters teams wanted to bring things back for Olav Kooij (Decathlon CGM CGA). Even so, all in all we saw a nice race and a very nice name on this Montmartre circuit.&#8221;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-842339f0-893e-11f1-9d6a-e3f63da9a4a6\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/w6FtDfaPYNgAzUhK4g5v3d-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/w6FtDfaPYNgAzUhK4g5v3d-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/w6FtDfaPYNgAzUhK4g5v3d-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/w6FtDfaPYNgAzUhK4g5v3d-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/w6FtDfaPYNgAzUhK4g5v3d-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/w6FtDfaPYNgAzUhK4g5v3d-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Remco Evenepoel (left) stands on the podium alongside winner Tadej Poga\u010dar and third placed Isaac Del Toro <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-ea4d4b5c-893a-11f1-8718-67528b8b475c\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">In terms of the bigger picture, Evenepoel delivered a relaxed, calmer approach in the final press conference of the 2026 Tour, only two years after his third place on debut in 2024. He explained that in terms of his mental preparation, along with his improved physical performance, he was more on top of his game.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Back then it was special, it was like the first time I did the Tour, I was straight onto the podium and getting the white jersey, something I actually did not dare to dream of at that point,&#8221; Evenepoel recollected.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;But now in the Tour this time I came with the mindset of getting onto the podium and getting a stage, I felt I was in control of myself in the whole race. The team as well, we were in control in terms of how we wanted it all to go.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;And I&#8217;ve had so many setbacks in my career, I&#8217;m kind of starting to know how to deal with everything, and also with that comes the support from home.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Referring to his wife Oumi, sitting in the audience watching him talk, Evenepoel said, &#8220;It&#8217;s not because she&#8217;s sitting here, we almost never speak about cycling, I do my training but when the bike is in the garage, we are not living in a cycling world, even if everything is done for cycling.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;The button between on and off, we are very good at managing that. For one month for the Tour, I know that I have to be fully on and mentally fresh to do that, and that way it doesn&#8217;t cost me to do that.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;At the same time, after so many setbacks, injuries and bad results then I just know for myself when things go well I will always be calm and be in control of my situation.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The achievement of a second place in the Tour is there for everybody to see and appreciate, too, and it will, to judge from Evenepoel&#8217;s words, have a major impact on how he goes forward in his career.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">To his credit, during his press conference, Evenepoel also had time to explain how being on the podium next to a five-times Tour winner, as the record was equalled, was also something that mattered to him.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;It&#8217;s also a very big achievement to come second behind the guy that equals the record, that&#8217;s a massive honour to live that moment,&#8221; he concluded.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Hopefully I&#8217;ll be able to tell my kids one day I was on the podium when the record was equalled and that&#8217;s something I&#8217;ll never forget.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">And at the same time, thanks to that podium finish, his own dream of further success in Grand Tours remains more than intact, too.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-953adc4a-893c-11f1-948d-3b573fe61ff0\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><em><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><\/em><em><strong>Find out more<\/strong><\/em><em><strong>.<\/strong><\/em><\/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-ez3M7Mz99mF9WQmjyR8hd9\" class=\"slice-container slice-author-bio authorBio-ez3M7Mz99mF9WQmjyR8hd9 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\/GrVWt9agWpSs7HwXFauZQ4-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GrVWt9agWpSs7HwXFauZQ4-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GrVWt9agWpSs7HwXFauZQ4-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GrVWt9agWpSs7HwXFauZQ4-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GrVWt9agWpSs7HwXFauZQ4-320-80.png.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;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<\/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\/CZEVvXJSXdg39mQVz8Q7a4-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CZEVvXJSXdg39mQVz8Q7a4-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CZEVvXJSXdg39mQVz8Q7a4-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CZEVvXJSXdg39mQVz8Q7a4-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CZEVvXJSXdg39mQVz8Q7a4-320-80.png.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;Only winning is good enough&#8217; \u2013 Remco Evenepoel faces unreasonably high Belgian expectations at Tour de France, writes Thomas De Gendt<\/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\/TVzDoFu3LZqS9Y9RFckjEN-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TVzDoFu3LZqS9Y9RFckjEN-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TVzDoFu3LZqS9Y9RFckjEN-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TVzDoFu3LZqS9Y9RFckjEN-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TVzDoFu3LZqS9Y9RFckjEN-320-80.png.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;Just try to ride the third week of my life&#8217; \u2013 No room for getting carried away for Remco Evenepoel despite becoming closest challenger to Poga\u010dar 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\/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\/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>\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\/TcC3FJV5k6R3LB6Y7UnvkK-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TcC3FJV5k6R3LB6Y7UnvkK-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TcC3FJV5k6R3LB6Y7UnvkK-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TcC3FJV5k6R3LB6Y7UnvkK-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TcC3FJV5k6R3LB6Y7UnvkK-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;A year I was thinking about this&#8217; \u2013 Mathieu van der Poel moves from pneumonia-spoiled run to Tour de France Paris stage dream<\/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\/NgHtE9nHTzeHRxDKwjnEE8-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NgHtE9nHTzeHRxDKwjnEE8-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NgHtE9nHTzeHRxDKwjnEE8-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NgHtE9nHTzeHRxDKwjnEE8-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NgHtE9nHTzeHRxDKwjnEE8-320-80.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\">\u2018I\u2019m not thinking about any history, clubbing, or whatever&#8217; &#8211; Tour de France winner Tadej Poga\u010dar has his name in lights but keeps his feet on the ground<\/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\/yjRopMaD6HWEUphVw6nzG5-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yjRopMaD6HWEUphVw6nzG5-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yjRopMaD6HWEUphVw6nzG5-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yjRopMaD6HWEUphVw6nzG5-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yjRopMaD6HWEUphVw6nzG5-320-80.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;Without them I wouldn&#8217;t be standing here five times&#8217; &#8211; Tadej Poga\u010dar pays tribute to family and friends in Tour de France winner&#8217;s speech<\/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\/NheJkBWMqNtjDExN22vt3c-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NheJkBWMqNtjDExN22vt3c-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NheJkBWMqNtjDExN22vt3c-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NheJkBWMqNtjDExN22vt3c-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NheJkBWMqNtjDExN22vt3c-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;Tadej Poga\u010dar can win all three Grand Tours in the same year&#8217; &#8211; Eddy Merckx predicts Tour de France champion could be first ever to take all three top stage racing titles<\/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\/whcrWtx6WDE9tipZs6afuk-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/whcrWtx6WDE9tipZs6afuk-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/whcrWtx6WDE9tipZs6afuk-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/whcrWtx6WDE9tipZs6afuk-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/whcrWtx6WDE9tipZs6afuk-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\">US road champion Quinn Simmons named best teammate at the Tour de France for second year running<\/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\/G4mme5BXiFgjZHdF33CmyX-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/G4mme5BXiFgjZHdF33CmyX-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/G4mme5BXiFgjZHdF33CmyX-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/G4mme5BXiFgjZHdF33CmyX-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/G4mme5BXiFgjZHdF33CmyX-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;Mentally speaking, he&#8217;s a monster&#8217; &#8211; No regrets for Decathlon CMA CGM management on bringing Paul Seixas to the Tour de France at age 19<\/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\/snnSXYNZsWGG3en36CBwy9-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/snnSXYNZsWGG3en36CBwy9-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/snnSXYNZsWGG3en36CBwy9-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/snnSXYNZsWGG3en36CBwy9-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/snnSXYNZsWGG3en36CBwy9-320-80.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\">Tadej Poga\u010dar&#8217;s winning time sees 2026 Tour de France set new record for fastest-ever edition<\/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\/TcC3FJV5k6R3LB6Y7UnvkK-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TcC3FJV5k6R3LB6Y7UnvkK-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TcC3FJV5k6R3LB6Y7UnvkK-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TcC3FJV5k6R3LB6Y7UnvkK-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TcC3FJV5k6R3LB6Y7UnvkK-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;A year I was thinking about this&#8217; \u2013 Mathieu van der Poel moves from pneumonia-spoiled run to Tour de France Paris stage dream<\/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\/yjRopMaD6HWEUphVw6nzG5-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yjRopMaD6HWEUphVw6nzG5-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yjRopMaD6HWEUphVw6nzG5-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yjRopMaD6HWEUphVw6nzG5-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yjRopMaD6HWEUphVw6nzG5-320-80.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;Without them I wouldn&#8217;t be standing here five times&#8217; &#8211; Tadej Poga\u010dar pays tribute to family and friends in Tour de France winner&#8217;s speech<\/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\/HdMggX6iXYsKyNQReZgWcB-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HdMggX6iXYsKyNQReZgWcB-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HdMggX6iXYsKyNQReZgWcB-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HdMggX6iXYsKyNQReZgWcB-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HdMggX6iXYsKyNQReZgWcB-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\">GC times to be taken before Montmartre climbs on Tour de France final stage for second year in a row due to safety concerns<\/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\/NheJkBWMqNtjDExN22vt3c-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NheJkBWMqNtjDExN22vt3c-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NheJkBWMqNtjDExN22vt3c-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NheJkBWMqNtjDExN22vt3c-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NheJkBWMqNtjDExN22vt3c-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;Tadej Poga\u010dar can win all three Grand Tours in the same year&#8217; &#8211; Eddy Merckx predicts Tour de France champion could be first ever to take all three top stage racing titles<\/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\/whcrWtx6WDE9tipZs6afuk-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/whcrWtx6WDE9tipZs6afuk-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/whcrWtx6WDE9tipZs6afuk-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/whcrWtx6WDE9tipZs6afuk-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/whcrWtx6WDE9tipZs6afuk-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\">US road champion Quinn Simmons named best teammate at the Tour de France for second year running<\/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\/snnSXYNZsWGG3en36CBwy9-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/snnSXYNZsWGG3en36CBwy9-720-80.jpg.webp 720w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/snnSXYNZsWGG3en36CBwy9-640-80.jpg.webp 640w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/snnSXYNZsWGG3en36CBwy9-320-80.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>Tadej Poga\u010dar&#8217;s winning time sees 2026 Tour de France set new record for fastest-ever edition<\/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;Two years ago I already said he&#8217;s going to surpass Eddy Merckx&#8217; &#8211; Former Tour de France winner Cadel Evans pays tribute to Tadej Poga\u010dar<\/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>&#8216;A year I was thinking about this&#8217; \u2013 Mathieu van der Poel moves from pneumonia-spoiled run to Tour de France Paris stage dream<\/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>\u2018I\u2019m not thinking about any history, clubbing, or whatever&#8217; &#8211; Tour de France winner Tadej Poga\u010dar has his name in lights but keeps his feet on the ground<\/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>&#8216;I&#8217;ve shown I deserve to dream&#8217; &#8211; Remco Evenepoel says second place in Tour de France confirms belief as he pursues future Grand Tour victories<\/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;I&#8217;ve shown I deserve to dream&#8217; &#8211; Remco Evenepoel says second place in Tour de France confirms belief as he pursues future Grand Tour victories<\/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=\"2026-07-26T22:39:54Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n26 July 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">The 26-year-old ready to continue battling for top results at three-week races after best Tour result to date<\/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\/hR7NGbgjrJkexsJ9woJGzc-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hR7NGbgjrJkexsJ9woJGzc-1600-80.jpg.webp 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hR7NGbgjrJkexsJ9woJGzc-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hR7NGbgjrJkexsJ9woJGzc-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hR7NGbgjrJkexsJ9woJGzc-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hR7NGbgjrJkexsJ9woJGzc-750-80.jpg.webp 750w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hR7NGbgjrJkexsJ9woJGzc-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hR7NGbgjrJkexsJ9woJGzc-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hR7NGbgjrJkexsJ9woJGzc-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 600px, 100vw\" \/><figcaption class=\"font-article-copy text-(--image--text--color) font-article-copy mt-2\"><span class=\"caption-text font-article-copy\">Remco Evenepoel (Red Bull-Bora Hansgrohe) rolls over the final line of the 2026 Tour de France<\/span><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\">2<\/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-2adb7832-8937-11f1-992d-55b329585734\">Onwards and upwards. Remco Evenepoel&#8217;s seventh Grand Tour and third Tour de France will very likely mark a &#8216;before&#8217; and &#8216;after&#8217; in his career plans, he told journalists in Paris on Sunday, with second place overall behind Tadej Poga\u010dar and two stage wins confirming that he definitely has a future in battling for victory in three-week races.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ve shown I deserve to dream,&#8221; the 26-year-old said a few hours after standing on the final Tour de France podium between overall winner Poga\u010dar and the Slovenian&#8217;s UAE Team Emirates-XRG teammate, third-placed Isaac del Toro.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-2adb7832-8937-11f1-992d-55b329585734-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Second place proved to myself that I did well to not let go my dream of stepping up on Grand Tours podiums, as much as possible, and aiming to try to win them because that&#8217;s my career goal,&#8221; the Belgian explained.<\/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\">&#8220;After this result I&#8217;ve shown to my team, to myself and to the outside world I deserve to dream and aim for that.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Perhaps unsurprisingly after an exceptionally long spell away from racing and just concentrating on building for the Tour, Evenepoel&#8217;s 2026 Tour got off to a relatively slow start, his Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe squad losing more time than expected as it finished 19 seconds down in the opening team time trial.<\/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\/GrVWt9agWpSs7HwXFauZQ4-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GrVWt9agWpSs7HwXFauZQ4-150-80.png.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;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<\/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\/CZEVvXJSXdg39mQVz8Q7a4-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CZEVvXJSXdg39mQVz8Q7a4-150-80.png.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;Only winning is good enough&#8217; \u2013 Remco Evenepoel faces unreasonably high Belgian expectations at Tour de France, writes Thomas De Gendt<\/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\/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<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">He then dropped behind both Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) and Poga\u010dar on the Tourmalet on stage 6 and matters worsened in the long drag up to the finish at Gavarnie-Gedre, with Evenepoel later publicly lambasting his co-leader Florian Lipowitz for not helping him more in the finale. However, by Le Lioran, even after Evenepoel seemed to struggle late on a minor ascent, he then staged a spectacular bounce-back in the final drag to claim second and the hatchet appeared to have been buried for good between himself and his German teammate.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Evenepoel&#8217;s continuing rise to top Tour de France form continued with a fifth place at the next major mountain stage of Le Markstein, where Evenepoel was able to limit the damage despite being blocked by an organisation vehicle late on and suffering in the rain and cold. But the Belgian really began hitting the high notes at Plateau de Solaison on stage 15 where he moved away with Poga\u010dar and Del Toro close to the summit to clinch his first ever mountain-top victory in the Tour de France.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-ez3M7Mz99mF9WQmjyR8hd9\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-ez3M7Mz99mF9WQmjyR8hd9 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<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-201ff808-893e-11f1-a56e-a93bd6e6ee94\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cSEdrt6Ssk3K89gq8Va57d-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cSEdrt6Ssk3K89gq8Va57d-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cSEdrt6Ssk3K89gq8Va57d-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cSEdrt6Ssk3K89gq8Va57d-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cSEdrt6Ssk3K89gq8Va57d-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cSEdrt6Ssk3K89gq8Va57d-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Remco Evenepoel (Red Bull-Bora Hansgrohe) wins on Plateau de Solaison on stage 15 <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-5c3507f8-8938-11f1-8964-5510a340ce67\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">From then on, Evenepoel went from strength to strength. If claiming the time trial victory at Thonon-les-Bains 48 hours later was expected, second place in the final stage up Alpe d&#8217;Huez on Saturday confirmed that his mountain performances are consistently much stronger than they have ever been in the Tour.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">For his team, losing fellow GC contender Lipowitz represented a major setback, both on the tactical side and in terms of what the 2025 podium finisher could have achieved. But for Evenepoel, these vastly improved climbing results combined with his ongoing time trial success continue to reinforce his dream of advancing towards greater Grand Tour success.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;There&#8217;s the fact that I was still on a very good level in the second weekend and all through the last week, in terms of my climbing performance on stage 15, too and also yesterday [stage 20] was really good,&#8221; Evenepoel said.<\/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\/TVzDoFu3LZqS9Y9RFckjEN-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TVzDoFu3LZqS9Y9RFckjEN-150-80.png.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;Just try to ride the third week of my life&#8217; \u2013 No room for getting carried away for Remco Evenepoel despite becoming closest challenger to Poga\u010dar at Tour de France<\/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\/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-[#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\/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<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Not only that, in the time trial I also did one of best ever 15 minutes on the opening climb, so it shows that my end of Tour level was really good. There were also no signs of cracking after a perfect preparation and that showed to myself and to my team that I was on a high level for three weeks.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I still feel pretty fresh, with no real fatigue, I think that&#8217;s good and I think we will take that towards the future.&#8221;<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"finding-the-right-balance-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Finding the right balance<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-ea4d4ada-893a-11f1-95c2-c1a86b941bce\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Evenepoel&#8217;s complicated relationship with his home media, given the intense scrutiny only a top racer in a cycling-mad country like Belgium constantly produces, has been a constant topic throughout his career. But he admitted that perhaps estimates of what he could do had dropped somewhat, given his poor performances in the high mountains in two of his warm-up races, the Volta a Catalunya \u2013 where a crash did nothing to help matters \u2013 and again in UAE.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;But for myself, for the team we achieved what we were aiming for, a stage win and finishing on the podium in 2024,&#8221; he said, &#8220;in fact we got two stage wins, two very nice second places, that shows I&#8217;ve gone up a step really in terms of performance, climbing level and on the hardest stages, too.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Expectations are a little bit lower, pressure still high, but all good, and now we see what the run-in will be for next Tour.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The lack of reference points for Evenepoel in the immediate countdown to the Tour perhaps also helped the speculation about a top result to diminish too, given he had spent nearly two months away from racing after Li\u00e8ge-Bastogne-Li\u00e8ge before heading directly to the Tour. But that also meant, too, that given the mini-vacuum of recent results, his second place in Paris has even more of a feel of a standout result for the rider who won the 2022 Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;It was an approach I like because I know it&#8217;s better for me to do things discreetly,&#8221; Evenepoel said about his long training camps before the Tour.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;We did things well, we concentrated on physique, the mental side of things, my weight, all without going over the limit. For the future, we&#8217;ve got lots of good info.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The benefits of Evenepoel&#8217;s unconventional approach were there for all to see in the closing week in particular and even on the very last day, where after finishing second on the Alpe d&#8217;Huez on stage 20, just over 24 hours later he was back in the thick of the action in a Classics-style finale over the Butte Montmartre climb on stage 21.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;It was pretty nice, the first lap I just wanted to get into the rhythm of things and see how the bunch would behave, then on the second lap I went for it, with a perfect leadout in Montmartre,&#8221; Evenepoel recounted.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I came back [on earlier attackers Poga\u010dar and eventual winner Mathieu van der Poel] over the top, then in third time over the climb, I felt there were still a lot of sprinters, it was too nervous and I wanted to think about next week because I still have a nice big race&#8221; \u2013 the Cl\u00e1sica San Sebasti\u00e1n \u2013 &#8220;coming I was not willing to take big risks for positions. So I decided to try to arrive safely and enjoy my second place.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;It was great to have been with Mathieu, Tadej and Mads [Pedersen, Lidl-Trek] also joining at some point on the second lap, though.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;At that point I thought the race was over, but the sprinters teams wanted to bring things back for Olav Kooij (Decathlon CGM CGA). Even so, all in all we saw a nice race and a very nice name on this Montmartre circuit.&#8221;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-842339f0-893e-11f1-9d6a-e3f63da9a4a6\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/w6FtDfaPYNgAzUhK4g5v3d-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/w6FtDfaPYNgAzUhK4g5v3d-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/w6FtDfaPYNgAzUhK4g5v3d-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/w6FtDfaPYNgAzUhK4g5v3d-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/w6FtDfaPYNgAzUhK4g5v3d-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/w6FtDfaPYNgAzUhK4g5v3d-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Remco Evenepoel (left) stands on the podium alongside winner Tadej Poga\u010dar and third placed Isaac Del Toro <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-ea4d4b5c-893a-11f1-8718-67528b8b475c\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">In terms of the bigger picture, Evenepoel delivered a relaxed, calmer approach in the final press conference of the 2026 Tour, only two years after his third place on debut in 2024. He explained that in terms of his mental preparation, along with his improved physical performance, he was more on top of his game.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Back then it was special, it was like the first time I did the Tour, I was straight onto the podium and getting the white jersey, something I actually did not dare to dream of at that point,&#8221; Evenepoel recollected.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;But now in the Tour this time I came with the mindset of getting onto the podium and getting a stage, I felt I was in control of myself in the whole race. The team as well, we were in control in terms of how we wanted it all to go.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;And I&#8217;ve had so many setbacks in my career, I&#8217;m kind of starting to know how to deal with everything, and also with that comes the support from home.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Referring to his wife Oumi, sitting in the audience watching him talk, Evenepoel said, &#8220;It&#8217;s not because she&#8217;s sitting here, we almost never speak about cycling, I do my training but when the bike is in the garage, we are not living in a cycling world, even if everything is done for cycling.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;The button between on and off, we are very good at managing that. For one month for the Tour, I know that I have to be fully on and mentally fresh to do that, and that way it doesn&#8217;t cost me to do that.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;At the same time, after so many setbacks, injuries and bad results then I just know for myself when things go well I will always be calm and be in control of my situation.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The achievement of a second place in the Tour is there for everybody to see and appreciate, too, and it will, to judge from Evenepoel&#8217;s words, have a major impact on how he goes forward in his career.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">To his credit, during his press conference, Evenepoel also had time to explain how being on the podium next to a five-times Tour winner, as the record was equalled, was also something that mattered to him.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;It&#8217;s also a very big achievement to come second behind the guy that equals the record, that&#8217;s a massive honour to live that moment,&#8221; he concluded.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Hopefully I&#8217;ll be able to tell my kids one day I was on the podium when the record was equalled and that&#8217;s something I&#8217;ll never forget.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">And at the same time, thanks to that podium finish, his own dream of further success in Grand Tours remains more than intact, too.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-953adc4a-893c-11f1-948d-3b573fe61ff0\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><em><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><\/em><em><strong>Find out more<\/strong><\/em><em><strong>.<\/strong><\/em><\/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-ez3M7Mz99mF9WQmjyR8hd9\" class=\"slice-container slice-author-bio authorBio-ez3M7Mz99mF9WQmjyR8hd9 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\/GrVWt9agWpSs7HwXFauZQ4-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GrVWt9agWpSs7HwXFauZQ4-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GrVWt9agWpSs7HwXFauZQ4-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GrVWt9agWpSs7HwXFauZQ4-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GrVWt9agWpSs7HwXFauZQ4-320-80.png.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;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<\/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\/CZEVvXJSXdg39mQVz8Q7a4-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CZEVvXJSXdg39mQVz8Q7a4-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CZEVvXJSXdg39mQVz8Q7a4-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CZEVvXJSXdg39mQVz8Q7a4-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CZEVvXJSXdg39mQVz8Q7a4-320-80.png.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;Only winning is good enough&#8217; \u2013 Remco Evenepoel faces unreasonably high Belgian expectations at Tour de France, writes Thomas De Gendt<\/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\/TVzDoFu3LZqS9Y9RFckjEN-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TVzDoFu3LZqS9Y9RFckjEN-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TVzDoFu3LZqS9Y9RFckjEN-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TVzDoFu3LZqS9Y9RFckjEN-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TVzDoFu3LZqS9Y9RFckjEN-320-80.png.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;Just try to ride the third week of my life&#8217; \u2013 No room for getting carried away for Remco Evenepoel despite becoming closest challenger to Poga\u010dar 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\/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\/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>\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\/TcC3FJV5k6R3LB6Y7UnvkK-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TcC3FJV5k6R3LB6Y7UnvkK-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TcC3FJV5k6R3LB6Y7UnvkK-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TcC3FJV5k6R3LB6Y7UnvkK-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TcC3FJV5k6R3LB6Y7UnvkK-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;A year I was thinking about this&#8217; \u2013 Mathieu van der Poel moves from pneumonia-spoiled run to Tour de France Paris stage dream<\/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\/NgHtE9nHTzeHRxDKwjnEE8-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NgHtE9nHTzeHRxDKwjnEE8-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NgHtE9nHTzeHRxDKwjnEE8-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NgHtE9nHTzeHRxDKwjnEE8-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NgHtE9nHTzeHRxDKwjnEE8-320-80.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\">\u2018I\u2019m not thinking about any history, clubbing, or whatever&#8217; &#8211; Tour de France winner Tadej Poga\u010dar has his name in lights but keeps his feet on the ground<\/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\/yjRopMaD6HWEUphVw6nzG5-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yjRopMaD6HWEUphVw6nzG5-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yjRopMaD6HWEUphVw6nzG5-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yjRopMaD6HWEUphVw6nzG5-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yjRopMaD6HWEUphVw6nzG5-320-80.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;Without them I wouldn&#8217;t be standing here five times&#8217; &#8211; Tadej Poga\u010dar pays tribute to family and friends in Tour de France winner&#8217;s speech<\/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\/NheJkBWMqNtjDExN22vt3c-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NheJkBWMqNtjDExN22vt3c-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NheJkBWMqNtjDExN22vt3c-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NheJkBWMqNtjDExN22vt3c-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NheJkBWMqNtjDExN22vt3c-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;Tadej Poga\u010dar can win all three Grand Tours in the same year&#8217; &#8211; Eddy Merckx predicts Tour de France champion could be first ever to take all three top stage racing titles<\/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\/whcrWtx6WDE9tipZs6afuk-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/whcrWtx6WDE9tipZs6afuk-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/whcrWtx6WDE9tipZs6afuk-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/whcrWtx6WDE9tipZs6afuk-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/whcrWtx6WDE9tipZs6afuk-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\">US road champion Quinn Simmons named best teammate at the Tour de France for second year running<\/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\/G4mme5BXiFgjZHdF33CmyX-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/G4mme5BXiFgjZHdF33CmyX-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/G4mme5BXiFgjZHdF33CmyX-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/G4mme5BXiFgjZHdF33CmyX-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/G4mme5BXiFgjZHdF33CmyX-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;Mentally speaking, he&#8217;s a monster&#8217; &#8211; No regrets for Decathlon CMA CGM management on bringing Paul Seixas to the Tour de France at age 19<\/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\/snnSXYNZsWGG3en36CBwy9-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/snnSXYNZsWGG3en36CBwy9-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/snnSXYNZsWGG3en36CBwy9-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/snnSXYNZsWGG3en36CBwy9-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/snnSXYNZsWGG3en36CBwy9-320-80.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\">Tadej Poga\u010dar&#8217;s winning time sees 2026 Tour de France set new record for fastest-ever edition<\/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\/TcC3FJV5k6R3LB6Y7UnvkK-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TcC3FJV5k6R3LB6Y7UnvkK-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TcC3FJV5k6R3LB6Y7UnvkK-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TcC3FJV5k6R3LB6Y7UnvkK-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TcC3FJV5k6R3LB6Y7UnvkK-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;A year I was thinking about this&#8217; \u2013 Mathieu van der Poel moves from pneumonia-spoiled run to Tour de France Paris stage dream<\/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\/yjRopMaD6HWEUphVw6nzG5-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yjRopMaD6HWEUphVw6nzG5-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yjRopMaD6HWEUphVw6nzG5-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yjRopMaD6HWEUphVw6nzG5-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yjRopMaD6HWEUphVw6nzG5-320-80.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;Without them I wouldn&#8217;t be standing here five times&#8217; &#8211; Tadej Poga\u010dar pays tribute to family and friends in Tour de France winner&#8217;s speech<\/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\/HdMggX6iXYsKyNQReZgWcB-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HdMggX6iXYsKyNQReZgWcB-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HdMggX6iXYsKyNQReZgWcB-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HdMggX6iXYsKyNQReZgWcB-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HdMggX6iXYsKyNQReZgWcB-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\">GC times to be taken before Montmartre climbs on Tour de France final stage for second year in a row due to safety concerns<\/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\/NheJkBWMqNtjDExN22vt3c-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NheJkBWMqNtjDExN22vt3c-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NheJkBWMqNtjDExN22vt3c-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NheJkBWMqNtjDExN22vt3c-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NheJkBWMqNtjDExN22vt3c-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;Tadej Poga\u010dar can win all three Grand Tours in the same year&#8217; &#8211; Eddy Merckx predicts Tour de France champion could be first ever to take all three top stage racing titles<\/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\/whcrWtx6WDE9tipZs6afuk-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/whcrWtx6WDE9tipZs6afuk-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/whcrWtx6WDE9tipZs6afuk-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/whcrWtx6WDE9tipZs6afuk-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/whcrWtx6WDE9tipZs6afuk-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\">US road champion Quinn Simmons named best teammate at the Tour de France for second year running<\/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\/snnSXYNZsWGG3en36CBwy9-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/snnSXYNZsWGG3en36CBwy9-720-80.jpg.webp 720w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/snnSXYNZsWGG3en36CBwy9-640-80.jpg.webp 640w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/snnSXYNZsWGG3en36CBwy9-320-80.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>Tadej Poga\u010dar&#8217;s winning time sees 2026 Tour de France set new record for fastest-ever edition<\/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;Two years ago I already said he&#8217;s going to surpass Eddy Merckx&#8217; &#8211; Former Tour de France winner Cadel Evans pays tribute to Tadej Poga\u010dar<\/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>&#8216;A year I was thinking about this&#8217; \u2013 Mathieu van der Poel moves from pneumonia-spoiled run to Tour de France Paris stage dream<\/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>\u2018I\u2019m not thinking about any history, clubbing, or whatever&#8217; &#8211; Tour de France winner Tadej Poga\u010dar has his name in lights but keeps his feet on the ground<\/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>&#8216;I&#8217;ve shown I deserve to dream&#8217; &#8211; Remco Evenepoel says second place in Tour de France confirms belief as he pursues future Grand Tour victories<\/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;I&#8217;ve shown I deserve to dream&#8217; &#8211; Remco Evenepoel says second place in Tour de France confirms belief as he pursues future Grand Tour victories<\/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=\"2026-07-26T22:39:54Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n26 July 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">The 26-year-old ready to continue battling for top results at three-week races after best Tour result to date<\/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\">2<\/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-2adb7832-8937-11f1-992d-55b329585734\">Onwards and upwards. Remco Evenepoel&#8217;s seventh Grand Tour and third Tour de France will very likely mark a &#8216;before&#8217; and &#8216;after&#8217; in his career plans, he told journalists in Paris on Sunday, with second place overall behind Tadej Poga\u010dar and two stage wins confirming that he definitely has a future in battling for victory in three-week races.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ve shown I deserve to dream,&#8221; the 26-year-old said a few hours after standing on the final Tour de France podium between overall winner Poga\u010dar and the Slovenian&#8217;s UAE Team Emirates-XRG teammate, third-placed Isaac del Toro.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-2adb7832-8937-11f1-992d-55b329585734-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Second place proved to myself that I did well to not let go my dream of stepping up on Grand Tours podiums, as much as possible, and aiming to try to win them because that&#8217;s my career goal,&#8221; the Belgian explained.<\/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\">&#8220;After this result I&#8217;ve shown to my team, to myself and to the outside world I deserve to dream and aim for that.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Perhaps unsurprisingly after an exceptionally long spell away from racing and just concentrating on building for the Tour, Evenepoel&#8217;s 2026 Tour got off to a relatively slow start, his Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe squad losing more time than expected as it finished 19 seconds down in the opening team time trial.<\/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\/GrVWt9agWpSs7HwXFauZQ4-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GrVWt9agWpSs7HwXFauZQ4-150-80.png.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;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<\/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\/CZEVvXJSXdg39mQVz8Q7a4-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CZEVvXJSXdg39mQVz8Q7a4-150-80.png.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;Only winning is good enough&#8217; \u2013 Remco Evenepoel faces unreasonably high Belgian expectations at Tour de France, writes Thomas De Gendt<\/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\/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<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">He then dropped behind both Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) and Poga\u010dar on the Tourmalet on stage 6 and matters worsened in the long drag up to the finish at Gavarnie-Gedre, with Evenepoel later publicly lambasting his co-leader Florian Lipowitz for not helping him more in the finale. However, by Le Lioran, even after Evenepoel seemed to struggle late on a minor ascent, he then staged a spectacular bounce-back in the final drag to claim second and the hatchet appeared to have been buried for good between himself and his German teammate.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Evenepoel&#8217;s continuing rise to top Tour de France form continued with a fifth place at the next major mountain stage of Le Markstein, where Evenepoel was able to limit the damage despite being blocked by an organisation vehicle late on and suffering in the rain and cold. But the Belgian really began hitting the high notes at Plateau de Solaison on stage 15 where he moved away with Poga\u010dar and Del Toro close to the summit to clinch his first ever mountain-top victory in the Tour de France.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-ez3M7Mz99mF9WQmjyR8hd9\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-ez3M7Mz99mF9WQmjyR8hd9 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<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-201ff808-893e-11f1-a56e-a93bd6e6ee94\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cSEdrt6Ssk3K89gq8Va57d-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cSEdrt6Ssk3K89gq8Va57d-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cSEdrt6Ssk3K89gq8Va57d-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cSEdrt6Ssk3K89gq8Va57d-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cSEdrt6Ssk3K89gq8Va57d-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cSEdrt6Ssk3K89gq8Va57d-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Remco Evenepoel (Red Bull-Bora Hansgrohe) wins on Plateau de Solaison on stage 15 <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-5c3507f8-8938-11f1-8964-5510a340ce67\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">From then on, Evenepoel went from strength to strength. If claiming the time trial victory at Thonon-les-Bains 48 hours later was expected, second place in the final stage up Alpe d&#8217;Huez on Saturday confirmed that his mountain performances are consistently much stronger than they have ever been in the Tour.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">For his team, losing fellow GC contender Lipowitz represented a major setback, both on the tactical side and in terms of what the 2025 podium finisher could have achieved. But for Evenepoel, these vastly improved climbing results combined with his ongoing time trial success continue to reinforce his dream of advancing towards greater Grand Tour success.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;There&#8217;s the fact that I was still on a very good level in the second weekend and all through the last week, in terms of my climbing performance on stage 15, too and also yesterday [stage 20] was really good,&#8221; Evenepoel said.<\/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\/TVzDoFu3LZqS9Y9RFckjEN-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TVzDoFu3LZqS9Y9RFckjEN-150-80.png.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;Just try to ride the third week of my life&#8217; \u2013 No room for getting carried away for Remco Evenepoel despite becoming closest challenger to Poga\u010dar at Tour de France<\/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\/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-[#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\/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<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Not only that, in the time trial I also did one of best ever 15 minutes on the opening climb, so it shows that my end of Tour level was really good. There were also no signs of cracking after a perfect preparation and that showed to myself and to my team that I was on a high level for three weeks.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I still feel pretty fresh, with no real fatigue, I think that&#8217;s good and I think we will take that towards the future.&#8221;<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"finding-the-right-balance-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Finding the right balance<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-ea4d4ada-893a-11f1-95c2-c1a86b941bce\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Evenepoel&#8217;s complicated relationship with his home media, given the intense scrutiny only a top racer in a cycling-mad country like Belgium constantly produces, has been a constant topic throughout his career. But he admitted that perhaps estimates of what he could do had dropped somewhat, given his poor performances in the high mountains in two of his warm-up races, the Volta a Catalunya \u2013 where a crash did nothing to help matters \u2013 and again in UAE.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;But for myself, for the team we achieved what we were aiming for, a stage win and finishing on the podium in 2024,&#8221; he said, &#8220;in fact we got two stage wins, two very nice second places, that shows I&#8217;ve gone up a step really in terms of performance, climbing level and on the hardest stages, too.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Expectations are a little bit lower, pressure still high, but all good, and now we see what the run-in will be for next Tour.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The lack of reference points for Evenepoel in the immediate countdown to the Tour perhaps also helped the speculation about a top result to diminish too, given he had spent nearly two months away from racing after Li\u00e8ge-Bastogne-Li\u00e8ge before heading directly to the Tour. But that also meant, too, that given the mini-vacuum of recent results, his second place in Paris has even more of a feel of a standout result for the rider who won the 2022 Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;It was an approach I like because I know it&#8217;s better for me to do things discreetly,&#8221; Evenepoel said about his long training camps before the Tour.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;We did things well, we concentrated on physique, the mental side of things, my weight, all without going over the limit. For the future, we&#8217;ve got lots of good info.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The benefits of Evenepoel&#8217;s unconventional approach were there for all to see in the closing week in particular and even on the very last day, where after finishing second on the Alpe d&#8217;Huez on stage 20, just over 24 hours later he was back in the thick of the action in a Classics-style finale over the Butte Montmartre climb on stage 21.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;It was pretty nice, the first lap I just wanted to get into the rhythm of things and see how the bunch would behave, then on the second lap I went for it, with a perfect leadout in Montmartre,&#8221; Evenepoel recounted.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I came back [on earlier attackers Poga\u010dar and eventual winner Mathieu van der Poel] over the top, then in third time over the climb, I felt there were still a lot of sprinters, it was too nervous and I wanted to think about next week because I still have a nice big race&#8221; \u2013 the Cl\u00e1sica San Sebasti\u00e1n \u2013 &#8220;coming I was not willing to take big risks for positions. So I decided to try to arrive safely and enjoy my second place.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;It was great to have been with Mathieu, Tadej and Mads [Pedersen, Lidl-Trek] also joining at some point on the second lap, though.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;At that point I thought the race was over, but the sprinters teams wanted to bring things back for Olav Kooij (Decathlon CGM CGA). Even so, all in all we saw a nice race and a very nice name on this Montmartre circuit.&#8221;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-842339f0-893e-11f1-9d6a-e3f63da9a4a6\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/w6FtDfaPYNgAzUhK4g5v3d-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/w6FtDfaPYNgAzUhK4g5v3d-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/w6FtDfaPYNgAzUhK4g5v3d-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/w6FtDfaPYNgAzUhK4g5v3d-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/w6FtDfaPYNgAzUhK4g5v3d-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/w6FtDfaPYNgAzUhK4g5v3d-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Remco Evenepoel (left) stands on the podium alongside winner Tadej Poga\u010dar and third placed Isaac Del Toro <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-ea4d4b5c-893a-11f1-8718-67528b8b475c\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">In terms of the bigger picture, Evenepoel delivered a relaxed, calmer approach in the final press conference of the 2026 Tour, only two years after his third place on debut in 2024. He explained that in terms of his mental preparation, along with his improved physical performance, he was more on top of his game.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Back then it was special, it was like the first time I did the Tour, I was straight onto the podium and getting the white jersey, something I actually did not dare to dream of at that point,&#8221; Evenepoel recollected.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;But now in the Tour this time I came with the mindset of getting onto the podium and getting a stage, I felt I was in control of myself in the whole race. The team as well, we were in control in terms of how we wanted it all to go.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;And I&#8217;ve had so many setbacks in my career, I&#8217;m kind of starting to know how to deal with everything, and also with that comes the support from home.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Referring to his wife Oumi, sitting in the audience watching him talk, Evenepoel said, &#8220;It&#8217;s not because she&#8217;s sitting here, we almost never speak about cycling, I do my training but when the bike is in the garage, we are not living in a cycling world, even if everything is done for cycling.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;The button between on and off, we are very good at managing that. For one month for the Tour, I know that I have to be fully on and mentally fresh to do that, and that way it doesn&#8217;t cost me to do that.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;At the same time, after so many setbacks, injuries and bad results then I just know for myself when things go well I will always be calm and be in control of my situation.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The achievement of a second place in the Tour is there for everybody to see and appreciate, too, and it will, to judge from Evenepoel&#8217;s words, have a major impact on how he goes forward in his career.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">To his credit, during his press conference, Evenepoel also had time to explain how being on the podium next to a five-times Tour winner, as the record was equalled, was also something that mattered to him.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;It&#8217;s also a very big achievement to come second behind the guy that equals the record, that&#8217;s a massive honour to live that moment,&#8221; he concluded.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Hopefully I&#8217;ll be able to tell my kids one day I was on the podium when the record was equalled and that&#8217;s something I&#8217;ll never forget.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">And at the same time, thanks to that podium finish, his own dream of further success in Grand Tours remains more than intact, too.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-953adc4a-893c-11f1-948d-3b573fe61ff0\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><em><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><\/em><em><strong>Find out more<\/strong><\/em><em><strong>.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/teams-riders\/ive-shown-i-deserve-to-dream-remco-evenepoel-says-second-place-in-tour-de-france-confirms-belief-as-he-pursues-future-grand-tour-victories\/&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hR7NGbgjrJkexsJ9woJGzc-2000-80.jpg&#8221;] 1 &#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 2 As it happened: World champion triumphs in Tour de France stage 16 time trial as fifth place crashes out 3 As it happened: Astonishing finale to a dramatic [&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-2063434","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\/2063434","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=2063434"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2063434\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2063434"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2063434"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2063434"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}