Plan B for Remco Evenepoel? 'Giro d'Italia 2026 includes long time trial'

Remco Evenepoel has two conceptual race programs on paper. One is a 'classic program' featuring the classics and the Tour de France; the second, a combination of the Giro d’Italia and the Tour. The Belgian might now be leaning more towards the Giro, as according to information from Het Laatste Nieuws, the 2026 Giro includes a longer time trial.

It involves an approximately forty-kilometer-long and mostly flat individual time trial in the Tuscany region. This could be decisive in Evenepoel's choice between his two race schedules. "At the moment, there is a plan A and a plan B on the table," the Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe signing told HLN earlier.

The Tour remains the main goal in both cases. "In principle, yes, although that is not yet 100% certain either. The first plan features a classics campaign, the second the Giro. Based on the Giro's stage route, which will be announced soon, we will internally and mutually review what is physically and training-wise feasible."

Just a little more patience
On Monday, December 1st, the full route of the 109th Giro d’Italia (May 9-31, 2026) will be presented. After opening weekends in Hungary (2022) and Albania (2025), Bulgaria will get the chance to host the Grande Partenza next season. The plan is to hold three stages in Bulgaria, after which – just like in 2025 in Albania – the transfer to Italy will be made.

Afterwards, the riders and their teams will likely face a long transfer to southern Italy, followed by a passage through Valle d'Aosta and a short excursion into Switzerland. There are reportedly uphill finishes at Blockhaus, Passo San Marco, Piani di Pezzè, and in Madonna di Campiglio. It is still unclear whether the 2026 Giro d’Italia will finish again in the streets of Rome.