68 days: Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe explain why Remco Evenepoel is not racing for over two months as part of Tour de France build-up

Remco Evenepoel will be absent from competitive racing for over two months as part of his preparation for the Tour de France, which begins on 4 July in Barcelona. His last race was Liège-Bastogne-Liège, where he finished third behind Tadej Pogačar and Paul Seixas. Unlike many of his rivals, Evenepoel will not participate in any races during June, including the Belgian National Championships, opting instead for an extended training camp designed to optimise his form for the Tour. The Belgian and his Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe team are currently engaged in a three-week altitude camp in Sierra Nevada, Spain, where they are focusing on building a strong aerobic base and adapting Evenepoel’s physique for the demands of high mountain stages. The camp includes a comprehensive support staff, such as trainers, nutritionists, osteopaths, and a team doctor, all working together to fine-tune his condition. Sports director Patxi Vila emphasised the importance of this targeted approach, explaining that the team prefers a controlled, progressive build-up rather than racing in the lead-up, which they believe will allow Evenepoel to arrive at the Tour in a more relaxed and optimal state. Evenepoel’s training regimen involves a mix of long endurance rides lasting six to seven hours at high altitude, combined with shorter, intense sessions at lower elevations. Vila described this phase as laying the “foundations of the house,” with more specific and race-focused work planned closer to the Tour. The team is also using the camp to foster cohesion among key riders, including Jan Tratnik, Primož Roglič, Florian Lipowitz, and others, although the final Tour de France squad will not be confirmed until late June. The strategic shift in Evenepoel’s preparation reflects a move away from a more muscular build suited to Classics and explosive efforts, towards a leaner physique better adapted to sustained climbing at altitude. Vila expressed confidence in Evenepoel’s motivation and morale, which remain high despite the demanding training load. This carefully calibrated approach aims to maximise his performance in the mountains, where he will be expected to play a leading role in Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe’s Tour ambitions.