Plan A and Plan B: Remco Evenepoel weighs up Giro–Tour combo and Classics campaign for 2026

Remco Evenepoel will want to take new steps in his development next year in the colours of Red Bull–BORA–hansgrohe. As leader of the German squad, one thing is certain: he will in all likelihood go to the Tour de France. But what are the further plans? The Belgian currently has two options to fill his calendar.

“At the moment there is a plan A and a plan B on the table,” he told Het Laatste Nieuws. The Tour de France is in both those plans. The Tour de France is in both of those plans. “In principle yes, although even that is not 100% certain yet.” In any case, Evenepoel is looking forward to the Tour: he likes the route. “A somewhat atypical Tour. Hard. A bit of everything, everywhere. But attractive. It will be a fun challenge again. But there are other beautiful goals too.”

Because there is plenty for the double Olympic champion to go for in 2026. He lists the different possibilities. “The first contains a Classics campaign, the second the Giro. Based on the stage schedule of the Giro d’Italia, which will be revealed soon, we’ll look internally and in mutual consultation at what is feasible physically and in terms of training.”

The world time trial champion knows a Giro-Tour double can be extremely demanding. Also with the Worlds (road race and time trial) at the end of the season in the back of my mind, because I want to be at the top there again. So after the Tour the plug will be pulled again, in order to then, via the GPs Québec and Montréal among others, get ready for the Canadian rainbow races.”

Of course, Red Bull–BORA–hansgrohe has an extremely strong team, with multiple leaders for both the Grand Tours and the one-day races. So it is not entirely up to Evenepoel where he will and will not race in 2026. “The team will now look at them and give feedback. The fact is that in both cases sacrifices will have to be made for certain races.”

If the Classics plan is set in motion, the Belgian may not only focus on the Ardennes: the Tour of Flanders and Milan–Sanremo are then also among the possibilities. “Even in the case of a Giro–Tour combo something is possible in terms of one-day races, but then the margin for error is smaller. As long as it doesn’t come at the expense of the ideal trajectory towards the Tour.”

But the smaller stage races will also be included. “I also have to get in tune with my new teammates as quickly as possible. And vice versa. In that sense, it will be important to be able to ride, for example, a Paris–Nice and/or Volta a Catalunya with them. Once the Giro route is known, decisions will be made.”

Next season is already just around the corner, but at the moment Evenepoel will not be thinking about that. He is happily on holiday. “I will only start the season in February, in the Volta ao Algarve or the UAE Tour, depending on what the team wants. Definitely not earlier.”