Remco Evenepoel says the Pogacar support squad’s health problems could alter the Tour de France’s final Alpine phase, but he will not risk his second place overall.
The Belgian reached the end of Thursday’s 18th stage with energy saved for the decisive climbing days still ahead. The main contenders avoided direct attacks during the opening leg of the Tour’s Alpine trilogy.
That restraint came before two demanding stages around Alpe d’Huez. Race leader Tadej Pogačar now faces those tests with reduced backing from UAE.
Pogacar support squad under strain before Alpe d’Huez
Brandon McNulty has left the race, while Adam Yates and Tim Wellens have dealt with illness. Florian Vermeersch is also carrying an injury.
Evenepoel told Sporza that such problems are never welcome before a race enters its hardest days. He noted that illness can strike any rider, including himself, and said teams must manage the consequences.
The weakened UAE group may tempt Pogačar’s rivals to increase pressure earlier in the stages. If the Slovenian loses teammates sooner than expected, the tactical balance could shift quickly.
Evenepoel, however, made clear that he will not attack simply because the yellow jersey’s team looks vulnerable. He said he still needs to assess the situation on the road.
Asked whether he would try to exploit UAE’s difficulties, Evenepoel said he was “not going to take crazy risks” or endanger second place. His position reflects both opportunity and caution.
Decathlon expected to test Isaac del Toro
Evenepoel pointed instead to Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale as a likely source of aggression. The French team could target Isaac del Toro’s third place in the general classification.
He suggested Decathlon may try to discover whether Del Toro has also suffered from illness. That would add another layer to the fight behind Pogačar.
UAE’s reduced strength could also affect the breakaway battle. With less control from the race leader’s team, more riders may see a path toward a stage victory.
Evenepoel expects a fiercer fight to join the move. He said weaker peloton control would make the race feel different from a tightly managed mountain stage.
His own condition appears strong before the final mountain tests. Teammate Maxim Van Gils said Evenepoel looked comfortable on Thursday’s final climb and even asked for a higher tempo.
Van Gils told Sporza he already believed he was riding quickly when the request came through his earpiece. He said he jokingly told Evenepoel to leave him alone.
The relaxed mood inside Evenepoel’s team also stood out during the stage. Van Gils said the riders found time to talk about the weather and the scenery while racing.
He added that Evenepoel looked calm on the road and that the team atmosphere remained excellent. With the Alpe d’Huez stages ahead, that confidence may prove important.
For now, Evenepoel appears ready to react rather than force the race. The condition of the Pogacar support squad could decide how soon the Tour’s final mountain fight begins.