
Remco Evenepoel was eyeing up an early-season duel with Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) when he decided to take on the UAE Tour in 2026, according to Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe's Chief of Sports, Zak Dempster.
Unfortunately for the Belgian, the world champion won't be back to defend his crown at his team's home race, so his main rival now looks set to be Pogačar's teammate, Isaac del Toro, the rising Mexican star.