While the squad of Francia Tour It makes way between falls, fans and constant tension, on the margins of the road another front begins to grow: that of the rumors about the future of Remco Evenepoel. As in the summer of 2024, the name of the Belgian prodigious sounds strongly around Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe. But this time, both the cyclist and his team seem to be clear about the script: calm, current contract and no interest in feeding rumors.
Evenepoel in the presentation of the Tour in Lille. (Ap Photo/Thibault Camus)
The first to cool the situation has been Jürgen ForéGeneral Director of Soudal-QuickStep, that in statements to The latest news During the third stage of the Tour, he subtracted importance to the matter: “It took us a long time, three days,” he joked about the speed with which the speculations have returned. “We have already become accustomed. It is not a big problem for the team. We are focused on the tour. They are speculation. We are not really worried.”
The general leader lost control of the bike in the roundabout prior to the volatous in which Stewart was imposed
Evenepoel, That he has a contract until the end of 2026, he already lived a similar story last season. Then there was even talk of an agreement with Red Bull before the World Cup, but finally he himself settled the question announcing that he continued in the team.
This time, from the other side of the board, in Red Bull-Bora-HansgroheNor do they deny interest. In an interview with the prestigious journalist Daniel Bensonthe director of the German team, Ralph DENK, He was sincere: “At the moment, no (there is agreement). But you know that cycling changes fast. It is a very strong cyclist, it has a great character and still has a lot of potential.”
Evenepoel (© A.S.O / Tony Esnault)
Even more direct was Rolf Aldagsports chief of Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe, also in words to Daniel Benson This same Monday: “I think that if you ask the other 23 technical directors present here if I would re -fit perfectly in their team, they would probably say yes. But the situation does not correspond to me, and I don't think it's time to speak. For me, it is not an issue, and we focus on our 2025 team.
Meanwhile, the signing market also offers clues, although without certainty. Jasper Stuyven, Currently in Lidl-Trek, it has been linked to Soudal-Quickstep for 2026, which has made some think that the Belgian team could be reformulating its classic block, perhaps without Remco. But I forced, in the same conversation with Het Laatste Nieuws, he replied sharp: “We also have other objectives as a team. Remco is not a superman. He cannot participate in all races.”
Remco, on the podium last year.
Two possible destinations
And as if it was not enough with German rumors, speculation also returns from the United Kingdom. As he revealed Het Laatste Nieuws, Ineos Grenadiers Sigue Interesado and Fichar A Evenepoel, A movement that already tried without success in 2023 and that they have not ruled out for 2026.
Evenepoel, Durante El Dauphiné.
Meanwhile, the protagonist keeps silent and focuses on what happens on the asphalt. On Monday he suffered a fall in the final meters of the Dunkerque stage, but, fortunately, he left unharmed. Follow in the race, 49 seconds from leader Mathieu van der Poel and with intact ambition. Summer will be long and the tour, even more. The podium that Remco aspires is at stake and also, according to some, its future.
