Tour de France contenders Evenepoel criticised, Vingegaard set sights on 2026 win

Former world champion Remco Evenepoel is facing renewed criticism ahead of the Tour de France. Former rider and team director Cyrille Guimard described Evenepoel as "zoekende" (searching) and questioned his ability to sustain performance over a three‑week Grand Tour, noting inconsistent results despite his time‑trial strength. The Belgian rider will compete against a strong field that includes two‑time Tour winner Jonas Vingegaard, defending champion Tadej Pogačar and emerging talents such as Isaac del Toro and Paul Seixas.

Jonas Vingegaard, the Danish rider who won the Giro d’Italia in 2026, is being analysed as a favourite for the upcoming Tour. The 2026 route features early mountains, a tough middle section, a third‑week time trial and a decisive Alpine finale, a profile that suits Vingegaard’s climbing depth and recovery ability. However, experts note the physical toll of his Giro victory could affect his freshness for the Tour, making the early route challenges critical. Vingegaard’s team is adjusting support after the retirement of Wout van Aert, aiming to maximize his chances against Pogačar’s spring form.