DUBAI, UAE – Remco Evenepoel and his Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe team are making adjustments to his training regimen following a mixed performance at the recent UAE Tour, where the Belgian struggled on longer climbs. While Evenepoel demonstrated his strength in a time trial victory – averaging 56.1km/h over 13.03 minutes – the race highlighted a need for better balance between his explosive power and sustained endurance, according to team officials.
The 25-year-old Evenepoel, who joined Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe in 2026, began the season with strong results, but the UAE Tour served as a wake-up call. The longer ascents proved challenging, prompting the team to proactively “intervene and adjust” his preparation for key upcoming races. This comes after a winter of preparation that initially appeared flawless.
“For Remco, it remains a challenge to combine the longer efforts of stage racing with the more explosive, ‘punchy’ finishes,” explained Pauwels to WielerFlits, as reported by various sources. “That contrast became clear in the same race. Where Evenepoel struggled on long climbs, he convincingly won the short time trial. That proves he wasn’t suddenly much less in form than in the weeks before.”
The team’s analysis concluded that Evenepoel’s training had leaned too heavily towards developing explosive power, potentially at the expense of the sustained effort required for longer climbs. This imbalance became apparent during the UAE Tour, where he couldn’t consistently stay with the leading contenders on extended ascents.
This isn’t a sign of a sudden drop in form, but rather a need for recalibration. Evenepoel’s move to Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe was driven by a desire to compete for Grand Tour victories, and the team is committed to providing him with the resources and support to achieve that goal. The team believes Evenepoel has the potential to win the Tour de France, as stated in recent reports.
Following the UAE Tour, Evenepoel retreated to his familiar training base on Mount Teide in Tenerife. This location provides a quiet and focused environment for him to work on his conditioning and find the optimal balance between power, and endurance. The team is optimistic that a refined approach will yield positive results at the upcoming Volta a Catalunya.
“I hear they believe we will witness a better version in Catalunya than in the UAE Tour,” a source close to the team indicated. Catalunya represents a crucial opportunity for Evenepoel to demonstrate the impact of these adjustments and build momentum heading into the major Grand Tours later in the season.
The decision to adjust Evenepoel’s training highlights the team’s proactive approach and their commitment to maximizing his potential. Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe invested significantly in securing Evenepoel’s services, recognizing his talent and ambition. The team’s confidence in his ability to challenge for the top honors in cycling remains unwavering.
Evenepoel’s career has been marked by rapid progress, including a double junior World Championship title in 2018 and a swift transition to the professional ranks. His former team, Soudal-QuickStep, recognized his potential early on, but the allure of Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe’s resources and Tour de France ambitions ultimately proved too strong. The team’s ambition is to position Evenepoel for success in the post-Pogačar era, potentially beginning as early as 2029.
The focus now shifts to Catalunya, where Evenepoel will have the opportunity to showcase the results of his revised training plan. The race will serve as a key indicator of his progress and a crucial stepping stone towards his Grand Tour aspirations. The team is confident that the adjustments made will allow him to compete at the highest level and challenge for victory.
The situation underscores the complexities of elite cycling, where even minor imbalances in training can have a significant impact on performance. Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe’s swift response demonstrates their dedication to providing Evenepoel with the support he needs to reach his full potential. The cycling world will be watching closely to see how he performs in Catalunya and beyond.
The Volta a Catalunya is scheduled to begin on March 23, 2026, offering Evenepoel a relatively quick opportunity to demonstrate the effectiveness of his adjusted training regime. The race will provide a challenging test of his climbing ability and overall endurance, offering valuable insights into his readiness for the upcoming Grand Tours.
Fans can follow Evenepoel’s progress and the latest updates from Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe on their official website: https://www.redbullborahansgrohe.com/en/
What are your thoughts on Evenepoel’s adjustment? Do you think he can challenge for the Tour de France? Share your opinions in the comments below!
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