Remco Evenepoel (Red Bull–BORA-hansgrohe) secured the overall victory at the 2026 Vuelta a Valencia on February 8, claiming his first General Classification title since joining his new team.
Evenepoel built his winning lead during Stage 4 on Saturday, attacking approximately 15 kilometres from the finish on the Cumbre del Sol, a climb with average gradients of 10% and ramps reaching 22%. Supported by teammate Giulio Pellizzari, he distanced João Almeida (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) and Antonio Tiberi (Bahrain Victorious) while staying seated for most of the effort, crossing the line 24 seconds clear and moving into the leader's jersey with a 31-second lead over Almeida.
He defended the leader's jersey in the final stage on Sunday without incident. "It was already quite clear that the race was going to be fairly quiet," Evenepoel told VTM Nieuws. "I never got into trouble. I think we always had the situation under control."
Evenepoel also won the Stage 2 time trial, though organisers neutralised the result for GC after high winds displaced barriers during course reconnaissance, requiring riders to use road bikes instead of time trial machines. Evenepoel was critical of the decision, suggesting conditions had improved by race time. "I think they were all perhaps a bit afraid of losing time," he said of rival teams' apparent acceptance of the neutralisation, according to VTM Nieuws.
The Valencia title gives him five individual wins for the 2026 season. Asked whether he risks peaking too early ahead of his spring objectives, Evenepoel dismissed the suggestion.
"I have not yet had an altitude block. I think we will gradually work toward the lowest weight. That means there is still some stretch left," he said, attributing his current level to a consistent winter training block.
His programme remains unchanged despite the strong early form. Evenepoel confirmed he will race the UAE Tour next before a long altitude camp – though in absence of major rival Jonas Vingegaard who pulled out last week – followed by the Volta a Catalunya and the Ardennes Classics, which he described as his "favourite classics." He ruled out an appearance at Milan-San Remo.
"It is very nice to win my first stage race for my new team immediately," Evenepoel said.
Evenepoel's dominance is a major narrative in the very opening of the 2026 season, but in the absence of Tadej Pogačar and Vingegaard his form sits in something of a vacuum at the top of the GC contenders. That said, Sepp Kuss has argued that Evenepoel enters the 2026 season as a far bigger GC threat than during his time with Soudal-QuickStep.
As the season develops we will see if Evenepoel can upset the dominance of the current big two.
Cover image credit: Maximilian Fries / Red Bull Content Pool
