Is Remco Evenepoel peaking too early? A surprising take from a cycling legend suggests his UAE Tour struggles are actually a good sign!
Remco Evenepoel's highly anticipated UAE Tour was supposed to be a grand statement of early-season dominance. Instead, it unfolded into a challenging week marked by significant setbacks on the climbs, followed by intense post-stage analysis. Many would see being dropped on Jebel Mobrah and then again on Jebel Hafeet, with only a dominant time trial performance in between, as cause for concern. However, according to cycling icon Philippe Gilbert, this sequence of events actually proves something entirely different and perhaps even more reassuring.
Mountain Struggles, But No Cause for Alarm
Evenepoel kicked off the week in a commanding position after a superb time trial performance. Yet, the summit finishes told a different story. On both Jebel Mobrah and Jebel Hafeet, he found himself unable to match the decisive accelerations, later admitting he hadn't reached the necessary level for victory on those stages. "I did not reach the level to compete for the wins in both mountain stages," Evenepoel stated, attributing it to not having fully recovered from his earlier races and a bout of illness. He also humorously mentioned a malfunctioning air conditioning unit in his room contributing to discomfort during the heat.
Instead of a single culprit, Evenepoel's explanation points to a combination of factors: a heavy racing load, recovery challenges, disrupted sleep, and a minor illness. His communication throughout has been remarkably measured, avoiding any dramatic pronouncements.
Gilbert's Contrarian View: A Sign of Smart Training
Philippe Gilbert, a seasoned veteran himself, believes this context is crucial. He explained to Het Nieuwsblad that Evenepoel had already competed extensively in the preceding weeks, pushed himself to the limit in the impressive time trial, and this was his first exposure to extreme heat. "Then this can happen," Gilbert commented.
But here's where it gets controversial... Gilbert argues that the opposite scenario would be more worrying. "If the opposite had happened, I would almost be more concerned. Suppose Evenepoel had won that monster climb by five minutes, after his earlier victories in Valencia and Mallorca, then I would gradually have started asking whether he was not peaking far too early. Remco is still nicely on schedule."
This perspective completely reframes the UAE Tour performance. Instead of a red flag, Gilbert views it as a normal and even positive part of an early-season progression, especially considering Evenepoel's intense start to 2026 and his transition to a new team. He also downplayed any potential team alarm, drawing from his own experience of team switches and the inherent pressure to perform immediately.
Searching for Answers, Not Losing Direction
Evenepoel's week was characterized by his time trial prowess but also by a visible vulnerability in the mountains. He was distanced twice, and each time, he publicly analyzed the reasons without panicking. "We don’t need to panic. I’ve raced a lot already, and this is a process towards Catalunya and the Ardennes. Just stay calm and keep going. It will be fine," he asserted.
While the overall victory in the UAE is out of reach, the broader season remains intact. Gilbert suggests that this broader perspective is key. In a sport where early dominance can sometimes lead to a slump later in the year, Evenepoel's imperfect week might be less about weakness and more about strategic timing. And this is the part most people miss... If Gilbert's assessment is correct, being slightly off the absolute peak in February could be precisely where Evenepoel needs to be for the rest of the season.
What do you think? Does Gilbert's take on Remco's UAE Tour performance make sense, or are you still concerned about his climbing form? Let us know in the comments below!
