🎥 Evenepoel celebrates birthday in South Africa as training intensifies for 2026

When Evenepoel’s move to Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe was made official, it caused quite a stir in the cycling world. The Belgian superstar opted for a fresh start outside the familiar surroundings of Soudal Quick-Step, and the German project is meant to bring him closer to his ultimate goal: that elusive Tour de France victory.

That means the hard graft for 2026 began early. Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe shared footage of a determined Evenepoel putting in serious work — from VO2Max testing to time in the gym — all part of his winter training, even featuring shots in the rainbow jersey he earned in Kigali.

Evenepoel is already excited about his first race in his new colours. “I’m looking forward to everything. A new story begins for me and I’m ready to discover it all. Since Red Bull came on board I’ve seen the team grow. This is really the step I needed to maybe one day become the best rider,” he said ahead of the season. Evenepoel is set to make his competitive debut in Trofeo Calvià in Spain on Wednesday.

Winter training hasn’t meant total rest for Evenepoel. Last Sunday, he celebrated his 26th birthday, and he chose to do it in South Africa, which naturally called for a safari. Alongside his wife Oumi, he spotted plenty of wildlife: lions, elephants and even penguins appeared in his Instagram photos, with Evenepoel sporting a proper safari outfit for the occasion.