Cycling
4 key takeaways from the 2026 Tour de France
Second place overall, two stage victories and a team growing stronger by the year – these are the four key takeaways from Red Bull – BORA – hansgrohe's 2026 Tour de France.
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Three weeks, 21 stages and more than 3,300 kilometres after the Grand Départ in Barcelona, the 2026 Tour de France has concluded with a quite sensational final sprint on the Champs-Élysées. While Tadej Pogačar once again proved why he is the rider to beat, Red Bull – BORA – hansgrohe can leave Paris with plenty to celebrate: a second-place finish overall, two stage victories through Remco Evenepoel and growing belief that its long-term Grand Tour project is moving firmly in the right direction.
From Evenepoel's seamless debut in his new team colours to Florian Lipowitz's continued emergence as one of cycling's brightest talents, here are the biggest takeaways from this year's race.
01
The Remco era has arrived
Remco Evenepoel celebrates his stage 16 win
© Getty Images/Red Bull Content Pool
When Red Bull – BORA – hansgrohe signed Remco Evenepoel ahead of the 2026 season, there were big expectations heaped upon the Belgian's shoulders. Now, following his first Tour de France with the team, it seems they were justified.
Before the race even got underway, the team revealed it was building its Tour challenge around the complementary strengths of Evenepoel and Florian Lipowitz, describing the pair as "wingmen" who would give the squad greater tactical flexibility – a vision which quickly became reality.
Evenepoel finished second overall, claimed two memorable stage victories and looked comfortable leading one of cycling's biggest teams across three demanding weeks. His time trial dominance remained intact, but perhaps more significantly, he also showed he could win in the high mountains and consistently match the sport's strongest climbers.
An emotional finish for Remco Evenepoel
© Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool
Winning a big mountain stage at the Tour de France has always been one of my biggest dreams
His epic victory atop Plateau de Solaison was perhaps the defining moment of his Tour. Not satisfied with simply relying on his trademark strength against the clock, Evenepoel attacked on one of the race's toughest summit finishes to claim his first ever mountain stage victory at the Tour.
"Winning a big mountain stage at the Tour de France has always been one of my biggest dreams, so this means the world to me," he said afterwards.
What's more, the cohesion between rider and team looked settled from the very beginning. Whether pacing the mountains or protecting him on transitional stages, Red Bull – BORA – hansgrohe appear to have built a squad capable of maximising Evenepoel's strengths. This wasn't just the start of a new project, this Tour felt like the arrival of a genuine contender.
02
Red Bull – BORA – hansgrohe has become a true Grand Tour force
Blue sky thinking has reaped rewards for Red Bull – BORA – hansgrohe
© Maximilian Fries/Red Bull Content Pool
A big difference compared to previous years was the strength of the team as a whole. No longer was this a squad relying on moments of individual brilliance. Instead, Red Bull – BORA – hansgrohe consistently looked among the strongest teams in the race.
One of the defining images of the Tour was the repeated sight of Evenepoel and Lipowitz climbing surrounded by teammates while rival squads gradually faded. Jai Hindley, Aleksandr Vlasov, Mattia Cattaneo and the rest of the mountain group repeatedly delivered when it mattered most, while Maxim Van Gils also enjoyed his own standout moments from the breakaways.
Above all I want to highlight the incredible teamwork
The dual-leadership approach with Evenepoel and Lipowitz worked as planned, at least until the German unfortunately suffered a race-ending injury in stage 16. Having two riders capable of threatening the general classification forced rivals to think differently and clearly afforded the team valuable tactical flexibility throughout the race.
Even in victory, the team was quick to highlight that collective effort. After Evenepoel's mountain stage success, Sports Director Patxi Vila described it as "the cherry on top of what was a perfect team performance," adding: "Above all I want to highlight the incredible teamwork."
Quite simply, this was another step in the evolution of a squad that increasingly looks capable of winning Grand Tours, rather than just competing in them.
03
Evenepoel has become a more complete Grand Tour rider
For years, Evenepoel's explosive time trialling has been his defining strength. Despite his diminutive frame and mountain goat-like build, the Belgian is able to lay down the watts like the powerhouses that usually dominate the discipline. This Tour, however, also suggested his all-round game has reached another level.
Rather than relying on gaining time against the clock before defending in the mountains, the Belgian upped his game on climbs. On the brutal ascent to Plateau de Solaison, he matched every move from Tadej Pogačar before edging the five-time champion in an uphill sprint to claim one of the Tour's standout victories.
The Evenepoel evolution is attracting plenty of attention
© Maximilian Fries/Red Bull Content Pool
His stage 16 time trial victory also served as a reminder that his greatest weapon remains as sharp as ever. Averaging more than 48km/h over the rolling course, he comfortably outpaced the rest of the field to claim another Tour stage win.
Perhaps the biggest difference, however, was his maturity across three weeks. He rarely chased unnecessary moves, chose his moments carefully and looked increasingly comfortable managing a Grand Tour rather than simply attacking it.
No doubt about it, there is still work to do if he is to consistently beat Pogačar, but the gap has narrowed. Evenepoel no longer feels like a specialist trying to win the Tour – he looks like a genuine all-round Grand Tour rider.
04
Florian Lipowitz's future remains incredibly bright
Florian Lipowitz was in great form before injury cut short his Tour
© Maximilian Fries/Red Bull Content Pool
While the final results won't do justice to Florian Lipowitz's Tour, that shouldn't overshadow what was another hugely encouraging few weeks.
Before his injury, the young German had once again established himself among the strongest GC riders in the race, climbing confidently alongside the sport's biggest names and proving last year's breakthrough performance – where he claimed the white jersey – was not just a one-off.
His performances also vindicated Red Bull – BORA – hansgrohe's decision to rock up with two genuine leaders. Having another rider capable of competing near the front of the general classification eased the pressure on Evenepoel and gave the team valuable tactical options throughout the race.
I’m incredibly proud of my team for finishing the Tour with a podium and two stage wins
Lipowitz's rise has been one of the defining success stories of the team's long-term approach. Having progressed from trainee to Tour podium finisher before signing a long-term contract extension, he now looks firmly established among cycling's next generation of Grand Tour contenders.
"No words can describe how disappointed I am to have left the Tour this way. A huge thank you to all the fans for your incredible support," the German said in an Instagram post. "I’m incredibly proud of my team for finishing the Tour with a podium and two stage wins. Congratulations, guys!"
Catch up on more news from the Tour de France
His Tour ended earlier than he would have hoped, of course, but his trajectory continues to point firmly upwards. With more experience and another year of development, he looks set to remain one of the peloton's leading stage-race talents.
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