Former coach Allan Peiper, who helped guide Tadej Pogačar to his first Tour de France title, believes Remco Evenepoel may need a surprisingly restrained approach if he hopes to challenge the Slovenian at the upcoming Tour de France.
Now working within the Red Bull–BORA–hansgrohe setup, Peiper has a unique perspective, having witnessed Pogačar’s race-winning methods firsthand before helping develop rivals capable of challenging him. According to Peiper, one of Pogačar’s greatest strengths is his ability to launch decisive attacks, steadily increase his advantage, and maintain control of the race through careful pacing, nutrition, and energy management.
Rather than reacting immediately when Pogačar attacks, Peiper advises Evenepoel and his team to remain calm. He argues that chasing aggressively can play directly into the Slovenian’s hands, disrupting team organization and draining valuable energy. Instead, he recommends keeping the gap under control, maintaining a strong and consistent tempo, and resisting the urge to bring Pogačar back at all costs.
Peiper believes this strategy requires a powerful supporting team capable of managing the race without panicking. In his view, a long-range attack from Pogačar may actually offer rivals more opportunities than a late, explosive move, provided they stay disciplined and avoid overextending themselves in the chase.
Belgian national coach Serge Pauwels echoed those concerns. He noted that once Pogačar establishes a gap, it often remains remarkably stable despite the efforts of those behind him. Pauwels highlighted the Slovenian’s ability to produce intense efforts while still appearing relatively fresh, making him exceptionally difficult to match.
However, Pauwels also pointed to occasions such as the UCI Road World Championships, where Pogačar’s long-distance attack left him vulnerable late in the race. He suggested that if Evenepoel can occasionally follow the initial acceleration, his aerodynamic efficiency could help force Pogačar to expend more energy than he would prefer.
Ultimately, both Peiper and Pauwels believe the key to defeating Pogačar lies in discipline rather than desperation. For Evenepoel, success may depend on carefully choosing when to follow, when to conserve energy, and when to trust his team instead of responding instinctively to every attack.
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