“Today, I was simply beaten by someone better,” Remco Evenepoel admitted after yet another defeat to Tadej Pogačar. The statement, made following the European Championships in France, was both candid and revealing. Evenepoel had attacked, set a relentless pace, and attempted to isolate Pogačar early in the race. He even responded when the Slovenian launched an attack 75 kilometers from the finish line. But in the final moments, Evenepoel’s strength gave out. Despite his efforts, he was left chasing alone, while others refused to cooperate in the pursuit. Frustrated, he noted that some riders seemed to have team orders not to help close the gap.
This latest showdown wasn’t just another race—it was another reminder of the narrow but significant gap that still exists between Evenepoel and the very top of the sport. In his post-race reflections, Evenepoel didn’t hide behind excuses. He acknowledged that while he’s closing in on Pogačar’s level, especially in terms of endurance and explosiveness, there’s still something missing. He pinpointed one specific area where he feels he needs to improve: being able to consistently maintain very high power for three to five-minute efforts on climbs, which is often the decisive factor in breaking the field in mountainous stages.
But in perhaps the most telling moment of his interview, he added with a smirk: “Luckily, I’m changing teams, so it’s their problem.” It was a not-so-subtle reference to his upcoming transfer from Soudal–QuickStep to Red Bull–BORA–hansgrohe starting in 2026. More than a throwaway joke, the comment encapsulates the pressure, expectation, and opportunity that now shifts to his new team.
Evenepoel’s move is one of the biggest transfers in recent cycling history, and it’s not just about switching jerseys. It involves an entire structural overhaul of how his career is managed. His new team will provide him with different coaches, sports scientists, and support staff. His future trainer, Dan Lorang, will be tasked with digging into the data, identifying the marginal gains, and creating a program tailored specifically to close the gap between Evenepoel and riders like Pogačar.
Evenepoel has already taken steps to improve. At the European Championships, he lasted longer than ever in Pogačar’s slipstream before cracking. He lost less time and fought harder in the final kilometers. It was a sign of progress—but not yet enough. The real transformation, he believes, will happen in the off-season. He intends to dedicate the winter months to refining those short, high-intensity efforts on climbs—intervals that decide races on the steepest terrain. According to Evenepoel, his time trialist background isn’t a weakness. He sees the ability to maintain high power over time as an asset—one that can be translated into climbing success with the right conditioning and pacing strategy.
While he will ride once more this season at Il Lombardia, where he hopes to test his form again against the world’s best, all eyes are already on what comes next. Evenepoel is building what many in the sport are calling “Team Remco.” Along with the transfer, he is bringing his personal entourage—trusted coaches, performance staff, and managerial figures who understand his strengths and routines. These individuals will integrate into the Red Bull–BORA–hansgrohe structure, creating a unique blend of new and familiar support.
Red Bull has made no secret of its ambitions. Signing Evenepoel isn’t just a PR move; it’s a signal of intent. The team wants to compete for Grand Tours and sees Evenepoel as a future Tour de France contender. Internally, there is belief that Evenepoel can already match Pogačar in one-day races. The bigger question, however, is whether he can hold his own over three weeks of racing, through mountain stages, time trials, and recovery days where every second matters.
As the cycling world watches this transition unfold, Evenepoel has essentially placed the responsibility into the hands of his future team. He’s laid out what needs to improve and is now trusting that Red Bull–BORA–hansgrohe will provide the structure, knowledge, and innovation to make it happen. The gap to Pogačar may still exist, but for Evenepoel, the mission is clear—and it’s now a shared one. The next move, and the next level, will depend on what his new team can deliver.
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