Remco Evenepoel is set to lead Team Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe at the 2026 Tour de France, but the team is keeping a low profile following the route unveiling, refraining from revealing who will lead the team next July.

The Belgian champion is currently traveling between southern Germany and Austria for his first training camp with his new team. Although he is still under contract with Soudal-QuickStep until the end of the year according to UCI rules, Evenepoel can already begin working with the Red Bull team. Photos have appeared on social media showing the riders visiting the Red Bull Athlete Performance Center in Salzburg, including helicopter rides and F1-style pit stop practice.

Evenepoel is spending time with his new teammates, including other potential Grand Tour leaders Primož Roglič, Florian Lipowitz, and the young Italian Giulio Pellizzari. Red Bull management is undoubtedly planning the 2026 season, but preferred not to make any statements after seeing the Tour route.

"We're looking at the Tour de France route from the perspective of the general classification," Zak Dempster, the team's new Chief of Sports, stated succinctly. "There are many stages that suit our racing style and the strengths of our riders. We'll wait until we know the routes of the other Grand Tours before finalizing our leaders' plans."

The limited time trial mileage and the tough final stages finishing at Alpe d'Huez may have influenced Evenepoel and the team's caution in announcing specific objectives. The 2026 Tour will kick off with a 19km team time trial in Barcelona and include a single 26km individual time trial on the shores of Lake Geneva. Evenepoel, who won the time trial at the 2025 Tour ahead of Pogačar and Vingegaard, will have to contend with a route that limits one of his main strengths.

The Belgian's only consolation could be the chance to win his first yellow jersey thanks to the initial team time trial, but the significant elevation gain and tough stages that follow could limit his chances against rivals of the caliber of Pogačar and Vingegaard.

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