Inside Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe’s 2026 project: Evenepoel and Lipowitz to the Tour, Roglic to the Vuelta and more

Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe unveiled their long-term vision and roster for 2026 during a well-attended media day in Mallorca on Wednesday. Ralph Denk’s team has undergone a significant transformation this winter, headlined by the arrival of double Olympic champion Remco Evenepoel from Soudal Quick-Step. Here’s what you need to know.

Where many teams traditionally pitch their December training camps along the Spanish mainland between Alicante and Valencia, the German squad once again opted for Mallorca - characteristically efficient and organised. Unlike late 2024, this December offers pleasant conditions for riders, with temperatures approaching 20 degrees Celsius.

In previous years Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe often presented their seasonal plans at the Iberostar Hotel, but rising ambitions demanded a new setting. This year’s “media open day” took place in a renowned photo and film production studio, centrally located on Mallorca.

Before riders headed to the media venue in the afternoon, the morning programme was already full of activity. Anyone taking in a bit of early-day sunshine along the El Arenal boulevard, known in summer as a hub for Dutch and German party tourism, couldn’t miss the Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe staff on their morning run.

There was little sign of that summer chaos in December. Remco Evenepoel, who later also mounted the bike, and Sven Vanthourenhout led the roughly fifteen-strong Run Club, chatting easily while sweat began to appear on the foreheads behind them. Not long after, we saw Primoz Roglic guiding the team’s newest recruit, 22-year-old Haimar Etxeberria, through his first days with the squad.

Etxeberria is far from the only new arrival Roglic encountered this week. Beyond Evenepoel and Etxeberria, the team also welcomed Mattia Cattaneo (part of the Evenepoel package from Soudal Quick-Step), Gianni Vermeersch (Alpecin-Deceuninck), Arne Marit (Intermarché-Wanty) and Jarrad Drizners (Lotto).

Additionally, Callum Thornley, Adrien Boichies and Luke Tuckwell were promoted from the Red Bull Rookies development squad. The U23 team is also present on Mallorca, featuring two of the Netherlands’ brightest prospects, Michiel Mouris and Gijs Schoonvelde, alongside 18-year-old Italian U23 world champion Lorenzo Finn and several other promising riders.

The changes go well beyond the rider roster. Sporting manager Rolf Aldag made way earlier this year for former INEOS Grenadiers staff member Zak Dempster, who brought in Oliver Cookson as new Head of Racing. Furthermore, Enrico Gasparotto (Bahrain), Heinrich Haussler (Decathlon) and Bernhard Eisel (Lidl-Trek) were replaced as sports directors by Klaas Lodewyck (Soudal Quick-Step), Tony Gallopin (Lotto), Sven Vanthourenhout and returning DS Enrico Poitschke.

Strategic expert Allan Peiper has joined the team’s advisory structure, while John Wakefield, acquired from UAE in 2023, now leads the coaching, sports science and technology departments. Dan Lorang remains active within Red Bull’s overarching sports structure and will continue coaching Evenepoel.

Late in 2024, the team also secured aerodynamics specialist and former Hour Record holder Dan Bigham from INEOS Grenadiers. He has already travelled with Evenepoel to Specialized headquarters in California to refine time-trial positions. Bigham also initiated the so-called “Aero Revolution,” using the Catesby Tunnel in the UK to visualise airflow with millions of microscopic helium bubbles illuminated by lasers.

“For me as an engineer, that is pure magic. We are making visible what was previously invisible, bringing Formula 1 technology to cycling and creating knowledge that will change the sport,” he said. Words that will sound like music to the ears of Evenepoel, long known as an “aero bullet”.

Team manager Ralph Denk declared the start of “a new era” and shared several updates. “Big ambitions? Absolutely. That’s why I can announce that Lorenzo Finn, who joined us as a junior and a major talent, has extended his contract. Giulio Pellizzari, in whom we see enormous room for growth, will also stay with us. And finally, despite all the rumours, Florian Lipowitz will remain part of the team.”

Next up was Chief of Sports Zak Dempster. “I’ve had some intense days, but it feels like coming home. Our ambitions for 2026 are clear: we want to win a lot. Evenepoel, Lipowitz and Roglic are our riders with Grand Tour potential, and we believe they can do special things.”

“We think we can compete for the podium in every Grand Tour, with the dream of winning one,” he continued. So who will lead what race? "In the Giro we have Pellizzari, Jai Hindley and Aleksandr Vlasov. The Tour is for Evenepoel and Lipowitz, with a strong team around them. Primoz is going for a fifth Vuelta victory, according to the plan we have now."

Beyond the Grand Tours, Dempster emphasised the importance of year-round performance. “We must create momentum from within, so every race matters. We want a strong start to the season and approach the Classics with a young, ambitious team. Last year was not easy, but we want greater stability now. We also have a strong squad for the Ardennes, and adding a Monument to our palmarès is certainly something we aspire to.”