Evenepoel Poised for Gripping Tour Showdown as Pogačar’s Team Fades - Outside Magazine

What the report says

Outside reported that the Tour de France could face a late general classification twist as Remco Evenepoel approaches two decisive Alpe d’Huez stages in second place, 4:32 behind Tadej Pogačar. Evenepoel, who won the stage 15 summit finish and the stage 16 time trial, said after stage 18 that he would not take reckless chances that could endanger his runner-up position, but he acknowledged the race situation could create openings.

The focus is on Pogačar’s UAE Emirates-XRG squad, which Outside described as weakened by illness and injury just as the race enters a critical mountain phase. Brandon McNulty abandoned during stage 18, Tim Wellens finished close to the time limit, Adam Yates was still dealing with sickness symptoms, and Florian Vermeersch said he was injured. UAE sports manager Matxín Fernández denied Wellens was sick, but Outside cited Sporza reporting and Wellens’ own comments indicating illness within the team, while Pogačar himself said losing McNulty was a blow and that he hoped Yates would recover for Saturday.

Evenepoel also suggested Decathlon could attack Isaac Del Toro’s third place, potentially testing whether the UAE rider is affected. Del Toro sits 6:51 behind Pogačar and only 20 seconds ahead of Paul Seixas, with both also involved in the young rider contest. Seixas told reporters he did not want rivals to lose ground because of sickness, but he expected the coming stages to be very demanding.

The report frames Friday and Saturday’s Alpe d’Huez stages as pivotal because a weakened leader’s team can make attacks harder to control, even when the race leader still has a significant advantage.