As the UAE Tour 2026 approaches, all eyes are on Remco Evenepoel, the Belgian cycling prodigy who has recently joined Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe. After a challenging 2025 season marred by a significant off-season crash, Evenepoel has made a remarkable recovery, securing victories in Mallorca and Valencia earlier this year. (cyclingnews.com)
The UAE Tour, a prestigious seven-stage WorldTour event, is set to commence with Evenepoel as the top favourite for the general classification (GC). His main challenger is 22-year-old Isaac del Toro of UAE Team Emirates-XRG, a breakout star from 2025 and the Giro d’Italia runner-up. (cyclingnews.com)
The race route features two summit finishes and an individual time trial (ITT) on Stage 2. The 12-kilometre ITT course on Al Hudayriyat Island is flat and fast, ideal for specialists like Evenepoel. The Belgian has a strong track record in time trials, having secured victories in the 2025 European Road Championships and the 2025 UCI Road World Championships. (en.wikipedia.org)
Evenepoel’s team, Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe, has shown strong performances in team time trials this season, including a victory in the Trofeo Ses Salines. (uaeteamemirates.com) This success suggests that Evenepoel will have solid support in the individual time trial, enhancing his prospects for the UAE Tour.
The competition is fierce, with other strong time trialists like Joshua Tarling (INEOS Grenadiers), Ethan Hayter (Soudal Quick-Step), and Stefan Bissegger (Decathlon CMA CGM) also in the mix. However, Evenepoel’s combination of time-trial dominance and climbing resilience makes him the likeliest winner. (veloracycling.com)
With the absence of top contenders like Tadej Pogačar and Jonas Vingegaard, the UAE Tour 2026 presents a dynamic and open competition. Evenepoel’s performance in the ITT will be crucial in establishing control over the general classification, setting the stage for an exciting battle in the subsequent stages.
Remco Evenepoel’s Preparations for UAE Tour 2026:
- Remco Evenepoel and Isaac del Toro face off in major GC clash – Analysing the UAE Tour favourites, Published on Friday, February 13
- ‘We all but lost him as a person’ – Remco Evenepoel’s father says tough times in rear view mirror for Belgian star, as new Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe signing goes from strength to strength in 2026, Published on Saturday, February 14
- ‘We’re not avoiding anyone’ – Remco Evenepoel hoped for early-season duel with Tadej Pogačar at UAE Tour as ‘back-to-basics’ approach with Red Bull gets him firing on all cylinders, Published on Wednesday, February 11