Two months before the start of the Tour de France in Barcelona, the Red Bull – BORA – hansgrohe leaders Remco Evenepoel and Florian Lipowitz are preparing to face this crucial phase of preparation with targeted programs.

Remco Evenepoel will spend the coming weeks without racing: contrary to the initial plan, he will skip the Tour Auvergne – Rhône-Alpes (the former Dauphiné, if you haven't gotten used to the new name yet). His June program will instead focus on a balanced mix of recovery, course reconnaissance, and specific training sessions. Before that, in May, he will complete an altitude training camp.

"We decided together with Remco to take a break from racing after an intense spring. The goal is for him to arrive in Barcelona completely fresh. After analyzing his 25 racing days, we believe that a balanced alternative program is more beneficial than adding further racing load" explained Zak Dempster, Sports Director of Red Bull – BORA – hansgrohe

Florian Lipowitz, coming off second place in the overall classification of the Tour of Romandie, will begin this weekend a short recovery period, with the priority of complete regeneration after the demanding stage racing cycle of recent weeks. Later in May, Lipowitz will begin his altitude training camp. From there, he will head directly to the Tour of Slovenia, which will represent his final test ahead of the Tour de France. A short training period is planned for the following week.

Dempster also adds: "Florian has been extremely consistent in his last three stage races. We achieved the desired performance stimulus this spring and, most importantly, he has gained a lot of confidence in the path we have mapped out together. Now we will continue on this road with patience and consistency over the next two months."