"We’re definitely not shying away from any competition" – Remco Evenepoel sets his sights on a thrilling early-season matchup with Tadej Pogačar at the UAE Tour, embracing a fresh, back-to-basics training approach that has him eager and energized.
Remco Evenepoel, the reigning world champion from Belgium, was looking forward to an intense showdown with Tadej Pogačar, a top competitor from UAE Team Emirates-XRG, when he chose to participate in the 2026 edition of the UAE Tour. This insight comes from Zak Dempster, the Chief of Sports for Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe.
However, a twist in the narrative reveals that Evenepoel will not have the chance to defend his title against Pogačar at this particular race, as the world champion will be absent. Instead, Evenepoel's primary challenge is anticipated to come from Pogačar's teammate, the promising Mexican cyclist Isaac del Toro.
"Absolutely," Dempster stated when asked if they felt let down by Pogačar's absence. "Competing against the best is always the goal. Initially, the intention behind Evenepoel’s participation in the UAE Tour was the expectation of facing Pogačar. So rest assured, we are not avoiding any rivalries here," he clarified in an interview with Cyclingnews.
Dempster further mentioned, "Evenepoel’s win in Valencia was achieved against a high-caliber field, including exceptional riders like João Almeida, who nearly competed closely with Vingegaard last year. Therefore, we should not overlook the significance of that victory. However, the UAE Tour presents a different set of challenges, and we’re eagerly anticipating it."
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"Following the Valencia race, he took some time to rest and then jumped right back into training. We were aware of his excellent physical condition, but race day can always bring surprises," Dempster added.
After experiencing major crashes in the previous two seasons, Evenepoel has managed to navigate this winter without any incidents, and the positive effects of this stability are becoming evident in his performance on the road. Even though he hasn’t yet gone to altitude training camps, the Belgian cyclist is already showcasing elite-level abilities, with the potential for even greater performance as the season progresses.
"Initiating his training early was crucial, although every year brings its unique circumstances, and he’s faced numerous challenges each winter," Dempster elaborated.
"The most important aspect has been his ability to maintain a consistent training routine; simply getting on his bike daily at 9:30 AM and completing his workouts has made a significant impact. This winter has been particularly stable for him.
With a new team, a new coach, and an entirely revamped performance structure surrounding him, the focus shifted to returning to fundamental training principles, which has propelled him to reach a high competitive level right from the start. The key now is to keep everything on track, but we are definitely heading in the right direction."
Post the UAE Tour, Evenepoel plans to ascend Mount Teide alongside Florian Lipowitz, who is also a co-leader for the Tour de France, before competing in the Volta a Catalunya and the Ardennes Classics, where he will finally face Pogačar for the first time this year.
Currently, indications suggest that Evenepoel may well be positioned to contend with the world champion effectively.
"It’s a great case in point that, against common assumptions, it’s possible to achieve high performance levels without necessarily training at high altitudes," remarked Dempster. "This is likely an encouraging message for younger athletes as well. While altitude training does play a role in our preparation philosophy, there’s so much that can be accomplished simply by having a nutritious breakfast and riding your bike consistently at home.
It’s reassuring to realize that there are still adjustments we can make to enhance performance. Ultimately, what matters most is how you perform in races, and the dedication shown in Mallorca or Valencia is what we should concentrate on.
The last 45 minutes of a race, where you are truly pushing yourself, can yield immense benefits, possibly even more than spending an additional week at altitude in January. With Evenepoel gearing up for the Tour, this is all part of his training process, and there will still be opportunities for two more altitude exposures leading up to the Tour de France."
James Moultrie, a highly regarded NCTJ journalist, joined Cyclingnews as a News Writer in 2023 after initially contributing as a freelancer for eight months. During that time, he also wrote for Eurosport, Rouleur, and Cycling Weekly. Prior to joining the team, he covered events such as Paris-Roubaix and Giro d’Italia Donne for Eurosport, and conducted interviews with prominent cyclists like Chloé Dygert, Lizzie Deignan, and Wout van Aert. Outside the realm of cycling, he enjoys watching various sports including rugby, football, cricket, and American football.
