Remco Evenepoel could face a 9-day ban, putting Tour de France start at risk

Belgium enforces a rule few other cycling nations bother with: race the national championships, or risk a suspension. For Remco Evenepoel (Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe), that rule suddenly matters. Belgian newspaper HLN reported that the Tour de France GC contender could face a nine-day ban for skipping Sunday's National Championships road race. The sanction could, in theory, stop him starting the 2026 Tour de France as well.

The Belgian federation requires every professional licensed in the country to ride the elite road championship. Skip it without a valid reason, and the rulebook calls for a nine-day suspension, race day included. Applied at once, it would mean Evenepoel would not be allowed to take part in the Grand Départ in Barcelona on July 4.

Belgian Cycling director of sport Massimo Van Lancker has not softened his line. He told Cyclingnews there are "no exceptions", and that every rider received an email setting out the rules. A doctor's certificate waives the sanction. Without one, an absence counts as unlawful.

Evenepoel trained in the Alps this week, with his 'no race' strategy receiving close scrutiny in the cycling world. The flat circuit near Antwerp suits neither the climbers nor the time-trial specialists. The obligation covers the road race only — not Friday's time trial.

There has been movement elsewhere. Defending road champion Tim Wellens (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) was first left out of his team's selection. In an updated announcement, he now appears on the start lists for both the road race and the time trial.

Wellens won the 2025 title in Brasschaat, with Evenepoel second, then claimed a Tour stage in Carcassonne in the national jersey. Evenepoel, the reigning Olympic and world time trial champion, took the 2023 road crown and last year's national time trial title.

Whether any ban actually bites is another question. Reports in Belgium suggest a suspension is unlikely to be applied strictly before the Tour, and could instead be served later in the season.

With several big names in doubt, the men's road title looks wide open. Out and out sprinters like Tim Merlier (Soudal-QuickStep), Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Premier Tech), Arnaud De Lie (Lotto-Intermarché) and Milan Fretin (Cofidis) are among the favourites.

The Tour de France begins in Barcelona on 4 July. Whether or not Evenepoel will be lining up in Barcelona may very well depend on if he decides (or is forced) to race on Sunday or not.