Remco Evenepoel – will he deliver the next blow? © APA/afp / LOIC VENANCE

Evenepoel's next jab at Pogacar?

From the perspective of his closest pursuer, Remco Evenepoel, Slovenian favorite Tadej Pogacar is practically guaranteed the overall victory at the Tour de France.

July 21, 2026

From: dpa/det

The Belgian double Olympic champion sees himself as an outsider, even though a victory in today's time trial on Lake Geneva would allow him to win his second stage in a row and reduce the gap to Pogacar.

He currently sits in second place overall, five minutes behind dominant Pogacar. "I'm not getting too carried away and I'm not dreaming of winning the Tour. If everything goes according to plan, that dream is out of reach," said Evenepoel, whose improved position is also pushing his German teammate Florian Lipowitz into a support role.

Already on the podium in Paris in 2024

“So far, things are going well for me,” said Evenepoel on the rest day. The 26-year-old’s main goal is to defend his place on the podium in Paris. After his spectacular victory on the tough 15th stage on Sunday, he now aims for another stage win in his strongest discipline.
This could improve Evenepoel's personal Tour de France record. In 2024, he finished third overall – the same as Lipowitz last year. This year, he could climb one step higher in Paris.

Tadej Pogacar is the man being hunted. © APA/afp / LOIC VENANCE

Evenepoel and Lipowitz started the Tour de France as equal team leaders. In the time trial, specialist Evenepoel is expected to extend his current lead of 1:48 minutes over fifth-placed Lipowitz. "The main goal is to have someone on the podium in Paris," said Lipowitz. And Evenepoel has "the best chance" of achieving that in the upcoming stage. Lipowitz recently indicated his openness to a support role.

Evenepoel explores route

Evenepoel used Monday's rest day to familiarize himself with the route for the time trial between Èvian-les-Bains and Thonon-les-Bains. The Olympic and World Champion in the discipline is considered the clear favorite for the 26,1-kilometer 16th stage. He anticipates the descent towards the finish will be tricky. "Very fast and very technical, also a bit dangerous, but that applies to everyone," he said.

Evenepoel's performance on the tough Alpine stages on Friday and Saturday, both of which lead to the iconic Alpe d'Huez, will also be interesting. The 2022 Vuelta a España winner has recently shown improving form in the mountains. He explained that he intends to conserve energy as much as possible over the two days following the time trial to maintain his fitness. "I will try to ride the best third week of my career," he said.