Evenepoel's Father hints Pogacar could skip 2026 Tour de France after ‘inside info’
Patrick Evenepoel, father and manager of Remco Evenepoel, believes Tadej Pogačar will miss the 2026 Tour de France to focus on the Giro d’Italia and the Vuelta a España.
Speaking on On connaît nos classiques the day after the Tour route was presented, Evenepoel suggested Pogačar’s absence could reshape the race and create new opportunities for others, including his son.
He did not mince his words when discussing the Slovenian’s plans. “When I hear you [referring to the other guests on the show] talk, it sounds like a very hard Tour. But are you sure Pogačar will go? You keep talking about him, but I don’t think he’ll ride the Tour this year. He wants to do the Giro and the Vuelta. That comes from inside the peloton,” he said.
Should Pogačar skip the Tour, it would create space for others, including Remco Evenepoel, though Patrick Evenepoel believes the route will still be decided in the mountains. “You don’t win a Tour in the time trial,” he explained. “You win it in the mountains. Whether there are 40, 50 or 60 kilometres against the clock, it will not change much. In the last week you can be three minutes ahead and still lose ten in a single stage.”
Evenepoel senior also discussed Remco’s approach to the upcoming season, avoiding specifics but hoping for a smoother year. “We do not talk much about racing right now. The season is over, and it is up to him and his new team to build the programme. Things can change quickly. We saw it last year, an illness, a small accident, and everything is gone.”
Remco Evenepoel will make his debut with Red Bull–Bora Hansgrohe next year. For his father, that move represents a step forward. “Everyone knows he is very strong mentally. In his first Tour he finished on the podium. Last year he was not ready, that is clear. But with a good winter and good preparation, without bad luck, let’s touch wood, he can arrive at 100 percent and get a great result.”
And could the 2026 Tour bring him the yellow jersey? Patrick Evenepoel does not rule it out. “I think it is possible. And if he rides the Tour, they will aim for a big result. But both Vingegaard and Pogačar might also want that yellow jersey.”
As always, the rumours will keep spinning until the big names finally reveal their race calendars.
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