The cycling world is abuzz with anticipation as the 2026 Tour de France route is unveiled, but one team remains shrouded in mystery. Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe, the new powerhouse squad, is playing its cards close to its chest regarding their leader for the upcoming Tour. And the question on everyone's mind is: will it be Remco Evenepoel?
Evenepoel, the young Belgian sensation, is expected to challenge for the Tour de France in 2026, even though the race features limited time trials, which are his specialty. He has already proven his mettle by winning the 33km time trial in this year's Tour, beating Tadej Pogačar by 16 seconds and Jonas Vingegaard by over a minute. But his climbing skills are yet to reach the heights of Pogačar and Vingegaard, which could be a concern for the mountainous stages.
As Evenepoel spends time with his new teammates, including Grand Tour contenders Primož Roglič, Florian Lipowitz, and Giulio Pellizzari, the team's strategy remains under wraps. The Red Bull management, while acknowledging the suitability of the Tour's stages for their riders, has decided to wait for the routes of the other Grand Tours before finalizing their plans. But here's where it gets intriguing: Evenepoel's best shot at glory might be in the opening team time trial, where he and Red Bull could claim the first yellow jersey of the Tour. However, the subsequent climbing stages could prove challenging, making it a strategic gamble.
And this is the part most fans are eager to uncover. Will Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe name Evenepoel as their leader, or do they have a different strategy in mind? With the team's resources and talent, they could potentially target multiple Grand Tours. But is it a risk worth taking, or should they focus on one major victory? The cycling community is divided, and opinions are sure to spark debates. What do you think? Is Evenepoel the right choice for Red Bull's Tour de France ambitions, or is there another rider who could lead them to victory?
