Remco Evenepoel to Skip Paris-Roubaix Despite Stunning Tour of Flanders Podium

Remco Evenepoel will not compete in Paris-Roubaix this coming Sunday, opting instead to prioritize the upcoming Ardennes Classics. The decision comes amid intense speculation following the Belgian star’s impressive debut at the Tour of Flanders, where he secured a third-place finish.

Reports from Belgian media, including Het Laatste Nieuws (HLN) and Nieuwsblad, indicate that the Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe rider will avoid the “Hell of the North” for the first time in his career, heading to Spain for specialized training instead.

A Strategic Pivot After Flanders

The cycling world had been bracing for a potential late entry by Evenepoel into the Paris-Roubaix roster. After his podium finish at the Tour of Flanders, the rider admitted that the experience on the pavé had sharpened his competitive appetite for such terrain. This admission, combined with a history of last-minute schedule changes, led many to believe he would add the race to his program.

In the lead-up to the Tour of Flanders, Evenepoel had maintained for months that he would not be racing before revealing his participation just five days before the event. This “change of heart” created a precedent that fueled rumors about his availability for the Sunday race in Compiegne.

However, a source from the Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe camp, cited by Nieuwsblad, clarified the team’s position: “Remco will not ride Paris-Roubaix. The plan is to keep his focus on the Ardennes Classics, as foreseen. After his impressive debut on Sunday in the Tour, Roubaix is something You can look at in the future, but for now, we are sticking to the current plan.”

The Road to the Ardennes

For a rider of Evenepoel’s profile—an all-rounder and time trial specialist—the Ardennes Classics represent a more natural fit for his physiological strengths. The decision to skip the brutal cobblestones of Roubaix allows him to maintain the peak form required for the undulating terrain of the Ardennes.

According to HLN, Evenepoel is expected to travel to Spain to begin pre-Ardennes training. This move underscores the team’s commitment to a structured preparation phase rather than chasing the momentum of a single successful debut on the cobbles.

Note for readers: The Ardennes Classics typically consist of a series of hilly one-day races in Belgium and France, favoring climbers and punchy riders over the raw power required for the flat, cobbled sectors of Paris-Roubaix.

Career Context and Versatility

Evenepoel’s 2026 season continues to showcase his evolution as a multifaceted threat in professional cycling. Since joining Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe, the 26-year-ancient has already claimed victory at the Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana.

His resume remains one of the most decorated for a rider of his age, including:

• Olympic Glory: Double gold medalist in both the Road Race and Time Trial at the 2024 Paris Games.
• World Championships: Multiple titles, including the Elite road race in 2022 and consecutive World Time Trial Championships from 2023 to 2025.
• Grand Tour Success: Overall winner of the 2022 Vuelta a España and the 2024 Tour de France Young Rider classification.
• Classics Pedigree: Two-time winner of Liège–Bastogne–Liège (2022, 2023).

While his third-place finish at the Tour of Flanders proves he can compete with the world’s best on the pavé, the decision to forgo Paris-Roubaix suggests a disciplined approach to his season goals, avoiding the high physical toll and injury risks associated with the race’s notorious sectors.

Key Takeaways

• Race Status: Remco Evenepoel will not start in Paris-Roubaix this Sunday.
• Reasoning: The team is sticking to the original plan to prioritize the Ardennes Classics.
• Immediate Next Step: Evenepoel will travel to Spain for training.
• Recent Form: He comes off a stunning 3rd place finish in his Tour of Flanders debut.

The focus now shifts to how Evenepoel translates his current form into the Ardennes. Having already won Liège–Bastogne–Liège twice, he enters the upcoming block as a primary favorite.

Next Checkpoint: Look for updates on Evenepoel’s training progress in Spain and the official start lists for the Ardennes Classics.

Do you think Remco made the right call by skipping the “Hell of the North” to protect his Ardennes form? Let us know in the comments.