Evenepoel and Red Bull-BORA fire warning shot at Tour rivals: ‘Close to perfection’

Red Bull–BORA–hansgrohe edged Movistar and lived up to their status as pre-race favourites. It was Evenepoel’s first day of racing in new colours, and immediately an important one: the 2026 Tour de France opens with a team time trial in Barcelona, meaning teams can already test equipment and tactics under pressure.

Red Bull–BORA clearly executed that test best. Team leader Evenepoel was delighted with the victory. “It wasn’t a very difficult course in terms of altitude profile, but a team time trial is always tough,” he said in the flash interview. “But we had a pretty structured plan, and that worked out well. We can be happy with that.”

According to Evenepoel, the team took control in the second half — and did so exactly where they wanted. “We knew the way back would be important with the headwind and the small little rise three kilometres from the finish,” he explained. “That’s where we wanted to make the difference, and I think we did. I’m happy with that, and it’s nice to start with a win — also with the new teammates. It’s good for morale.”

The time trial world champion looked in excellent shape, pulling the team along as the victory took shape. “Everyone knew we would ride at pace until that U-turn, then we went full gas all the way to the climb,” he said. “There we went as hard as possible. It was a very fast team time trial, and we can be happy with that.”

So what does this win say about the Tour de France — and can Red Bull–BORA be even better by July? “Every course is different, so it’s hard to say if we can be better for the Tour,” Evenepoel cautioned. “What we showed today is close to perfection. We handled the critical point perfectly, and everyone did what they had to do, so it’s a good sign for the Tour.”