Remco Evenepoel delivers a string of top answers and has kind words for his wife at final Tour press conference
CyclingSunday, 26 July 2026 at 23:52
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Follow us on GoogleThose who had their doubts about Remco Evenepoel in the run-up to the Tour de France have since changed their minds: the Belgian rider from Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe proved to himself, his team, and the world at large that he is indeed a top-class stage racer. With that in mind, Evenepoel also took his seat in Paris at the Tour’s closing press conference.
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Evenepoel finished the Tour de France in second place, while also winning two impressive stages: the time trial in Thonon-les-Bains and the stage finishing at Plateau de Solaison. He was also in top form from start to finish, as he himself noted. “I actually still feel fresh,” was one of the many interesting things he had to say.
When it came to the final question of the ride—how can the Tour keep the riders safe in July?—things started to fall apart. “Phew, that’s a tough one. You’ll have to come to San Sebastian next week; then I can give you an answer.” Otherwise, his explanations were spot on time and time again.
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Read more below the photo!
Remco Evenepoel's press conference after the Tour de France
Remco, congratulations. This is, of course, your best result in the Tour. What makes this edition so special that it gives you the confidence that you can one day fulfill your dream of winning it?
"I think it’s mainly the fact that I was still performing at a very high level during both the second and third weekends. As for my climbing performances: Stage 15 and yesterday were really, really good. But also the time trial: during the first part of the climb, I rode one of my best 15 minutes ever. That shows that my form was very strong at the end of the Tour."
"I showed no signs of decline whatsoever. After what was essentially a perfect preparation, I proved to you and the team that I can perform at a very high level for three weeks straight. Even now, I still feel pretty fresh, with no real fatigue in my body. We’ll definitely take that with us into the future."
Did it make a difference that there was less “noise” around you during this Tour? During your previous two Grand Tours, there was a lot of talk about a possible team switch or your happiness with the team. What effect did that calm have?
"Then you haven't been reading the Belgian press! (laughs)"
No, it was different because the outside world’s expectations were perhaps a bit lower after my climbing performances in the spring, such as in the UAE Tour and Catalonia. But for myself and within the team, we achieved exactly what we set out to do: win a stage and finish on the podium, just like in ’24.
This time, I even had two stage wins and two very impressive second-place finishes in extremely grueling stages. That proves I’ve taken a step forward in my climbing and my performance in the toughest stages. For me, that second-place finish was, above all, proof that I shouldn’t give up on my dream: to stand on the podium of a Grand Tour as often as possible and compete for the win. That is my ultimate goal.
"With this result, I've shown myself, the team, and the outside world that I can keep dreaming. The pressure was still there, but expectations were perhaps a little lower. I'm very happy with it, and we'll see what the run-up to the next Grand Tour brings."
Read more below the photo!
Remco Evenepoel had a great Tour de France.
Can you say a few words about the mental aspect of this Tour? Specifically, the relaxed approach, without too many races leading up to it?
"Yes, this is an approach I really like. I have answers to the questions I ask myself. I feel really good about preparing in complete silence."
We came here with clear goals, and we achieved them all. We also learned a tremendous amount about my body, the mental aspect, my weight, and the wattage per kilogram. We’ve gained a lot of insight without having to push ourselves past our limits. That provides a lot of answers for the future. Now it’s up to the team to analyze everything and look ahead to the next Tour.'
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You already have some great victories under your belt. Where would you rank this second-place finish in the Tour de France? Physically speaking, this might just be one of your greatest achievements ever.
"Yeah, I think so. The level of competition was definitely a lot higher than in 2022 when I won the Vuelta. But of course, a Vuelta victory is still a stage race win—that's really powerful."
The fact that I rode at an extremely high level for three weeks, never really felt tired or underperformed, and woke up feeling refreshed every day is truly remarkable for my first Tour. It shows that I was in excellent shape and that my preparation went perfectly.
I really rode a very good Grand Tour. When I won the Vuelta, I was completely spent by the end; that wasn’t the case this time. It’s up to the team to analyze whether this was my best form ever, but on the climbs—like yesterday, where I was able to keep going with energy to spare for a long time—I’ve clearly taken another step forward.'
I saw you two years ago at the press conference in Nice when you finished third, and you were pretty emotional back then. Now you’re one step closer to victory, and you seem extremely calm. How have you changed as a person over those two years, and how do you deal with the mental pressure now?
"Back then, it was really special because it was my very first Tour, and I finished right on the podium in the white jersey. At the time, that was something I didn't even dare to dream of. This year, we came in with the mindset of winning a stage and fighting for a spot on the podium."
In addition, support from home is crucial—and I’m not just saying that because she’s sitting right here (looks at Oumi, ed.). When I get home, we almost never talk about cycling. The bike is in the garage, and we don’t live in a “cycling world,” even though everything revolves around the sport. We’re really good at flipping that switch between “on” and “off.” If I have to be “on” for a month for the Tour, it doesn’t take any mental energy for me to maintain that focus.
Because of all those injuries and poor results in the past, I know that when everything goes well, I stay calm and keep my composure. I finished second behind someone who tied the record; that’s a tremendous honor for me. This is a moment I’ll be able to tell my children about later, and one I’ll never forget. Even though I may seem calm, I’m incredibly proud of what the team and I have accomplished over the past month.'
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Tom van der Salm (27) comes from the charming town of Zeilberg (Deurne) in the Netherlands and has been working as editor-in-chief & journalist at IDL Pro Cycling's parent site, In de Leiderstrui, since 2019. He travels with the peloton from the Tour de France to the AlUla Tour and from the World Championships in Rwanda or Canada to the Zilvermeercross in Mol. In his spare time he enjoys playing football, mountain biking, running, walking with his Labrador/Stabyhoun, investing, holidays, (specialty) beers, reading, cooking and watching sports & documentaries!
Contact: [email protected]
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Latest Comments
- - Wow, second place already? How big was the time gap to first in the end, and does that come mostly from the mountain stages or time trial? Gracias por la info, très curieux!sprocketspiny26-07-2026
- - Great piece overall, but quoting Vanthourenhout while noting he’s not on Tour duty with Remco feels odd. Would love more insight from BORA’s actual in-race DS.gearguru3326-07-2026
- - The idea that next year’s route with a 50 km TT flips the script is interesting. If ASO gives us that, Remco starts as 1A contender. But he still needs a mountain train that can blunt UAE’s tempo.michael5426-07-2026
- - “He should have gone sooner” is always easy to say. Carapaz was flying. Remco emptied the tank late and nearly bridged — fine margins at the end of a brutal Tour.andrewf26-07-2026
- - From third last year to second now, plus a stage tally that could’ve been three — that’s progression. BORA’s support looked miles better too, even after the Alpe d’Huez spat. Winning the Tour one day doesn’t look crazy.julien26-07-2026
- - Can someone explain why a longer time trial would help him that much? Is he that much better than Pogacar in TT over 50 km?jeremya26-07-2026
- - Not sure I buy Herygers’ “loyal to Pogačar” angle. Remco races to win. If he had the legs 5 km earlier, he goes. Feels like Monday-morning quarterbacking.pedalpowe2926-07-2026
- - Massive ride from Remco. Second overall and second on the queen stage isn’t “almost” — it’s elite. The way he paced that final 3 km was smart given the UAE/Decathlon tug-of-war behind.patriciaw26-07-2026
- - Pog is on another planet. Even rivals would doubt him? That quote from Gianetti is blunt but honest.julien26-07-2026
- - So if Cobo’s Vuelta got stripped for blood passport issues, why did it take so long? Feels like the system punishes fans retroactively. Confusing tbh.patriciaw26-07-2026
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