Remco Evenepoel's surprise Tour de France preparation revealed, with 68-day rest planned so he is 'completely fresh'

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Remco Evenepoel will take on a unique approach to his preparation ahead of the 2026 Tour de France, which includes a 68-day break from racing.

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The Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe rider has been in good form recently, winning Amstel Gold Race and finishing third at Liege-Bastogne-Liege behind Tour de France rivals Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) and Paul Seixas (Decathlon CMA CGM).

Red Bull announced on Monday that the 26-year-old will not race at the Tour Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes (the new name for the Criterium du Dauphine), or indeed in any competition, before the Tour de France gets under way in July in Barcelona.

The aim is for Evenepoel to be "completely fresh" for the iconic Grand Tour, and according to Red Bull, he will instead focus on recovery, course recons, specific training, and a May altitude camp.

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It means Evenepoel will have a two-month break from competitive racing.

"We decided together with Remco to take a break from racing after an intense spring," Red Bull chief of sports Zak Dempster explained.

"The goal is for him to arrive in Barcelona completely fresh. After analysing his 25 race days, we see greater benefit in a balanced alternative program than in adding further race load."

The Tour Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes has often supported riders in their bid for Tour de France glory, and is the only race which has a team time trial before the Tour starts.

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Jonas Vingaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) completed the race before he won back-to-back Tour de France crowns in 2022 and 2023, while Pogacar raced it before his Tour wins in 2020 and 2025.

Evenepoel took part in the race before he claimed a Tour de France podium spot alongside Pogacar and Vingegaard two years ago.

This year, however, his plans will look a lot different as he takes a unique approach to the 113th edition of the race.

As for Pogacar and Vingegaard, the latter will race in the Giro d'Italia in a bid to win it for the first time and complete the Grand Tour set.

The Giro starts on May 8, live on TNT Sports and HBO Max, with Vingegaard the favorite for victory.

Pogacar is not at the Giro but dominated at the Tour de Romandie as he won four of five stages to secure a comprehensive victory.

He will compete in the Tour de Suisse as part of his final preparations for the Tour de France.

Evenepoel is not the only Red Bull rider who will take a break before the Tour.

Florian Lipowitz finished 42 seconds adrift of Tour de Romandie winner Pogacar as he secured a second-place finish, and will also not race in France before July's Grand Tour.

"Florian has been extremely consistent across his last three stage races," Dempster added.