Bold opening: Remco Evenepoel’s UAE Tour week ended without the breakthrough he needed, exposing gaps that still need closing before he can challenge the sport’s elite uphill. And this is the part most people miss: a single race doesn’t define a season, but it can redefine a plan. Here’s a clearer, beginner-friendly rewrite that preserves all core facts, adds context, and keeps the conversation open.
Remco Evenepoel, riding for Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe, found himself on the wrong end of the climb on the UAE Tour’s final ascent up Jebel Hafeet. He was dropped once again, crossing the line 52 seconds behind stage winner Isaac del Toro of UAE Team Emirates-XRG. The result underscored that he isn’t yet competing at the very top on steep, sustained ascents.
Coach and rider alike will be pivoting toward adjustments after what can best be described as a disappointing week. Evenepoel plans to head to an altitude camp soon after the race in hopes of unlocking performance gains that have historically boosted his form. The next test looms at the Volta a Catalunya, where he’ll line up against a field featuring some of the sport’s strongest climbers, including Jonas Vingegaard, João Almeida, and Tom Pidcock.
Evenepoel himself reflected on the UAE Tour: he said he didn’t reach the level needed to contest victories in the two mountain stages. He acknowledged that Mallorca and Valencia, the early-season races, hadn’t been fully digested, and he even noted a post-race cold and runny nose—though he stressed that isn’t an excuse. He did, however, point to a solid time-trial performance on Tuesday, while also noting incomplete recovery from that effort.
With Wednesday’s stage already signaling a forward-looking mindset, Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe signaled a readiness to shift focus toward the bigger picture rather than lingering on the UAE Tour results. A stronger showing at altitude training and a re-energized preparation for Catalunya will be the immediate priorities.
Author’s note: James Moultrie, a seasoned UK-based cycling journalist, provides context and editorial perspective drawn from his experience covering major races and interviewing top riders. For readers new to professional cycling, think of the UAE Tour as a demanding early-season gauge: it tests form, endurance, and the ability to recover quickly—crucial signals as athletes ramp toward the grand tours and their peak-ahead schedule.
What do you think: is altitude-focused training the decisive ingredient for Evenepoel’s comeback, or will Catalunya reveal deeper structural changes he needs to make? Share your view in the comments and tell us which rider you’ll be watching most closely this spring.
