Remco Evenepoel enjoyed the rest day and jokingly told journalists that he did not receive any anti-doping controls during the night. The Belgian is ready for the third week of racing, but has made clear that he is not aiming for the final victory.

The smile is that of someone who has just achieved one of the most important victories of his career. Remco Evenepoel presented himself relaxed and satisfied at the press conference on the second rest day of the 2026 Tour de France, twenty-four hours after his magnificent success on the Plateau de Solaison, where he managed to beat Tadej Pogacar and Isaac Del Toro in a three-way sprint, securing his first true mountain stage victory at the Grande Boucle.

A success that also changed the general classification. The Red Bull-Bora Hansgrohe rider is now second, five minutes behind yellow jersey wearer Pogacar, and has overtaken Isaac Del Toro, extending his advantage over the Mexican to 58 seconds. A prestigious position that, however, does not change his approach to the Tour.

The morning of the rest day was dedicated to reconnoitering today's time trial, a test in which Evenepoel starts as the great favorite.

"After inspecting the course," he explained, "I was particularly struck by the initial climb. It's 'only' at four percent, but I think it can still make a big difference. In a group you always have the advantage of drafting, whereas in a time trial you're completely alone and every watt counts".

What concerns the Olympic champion most is the descent. "It's on the edge. Very fast, technical and also quite dangerous. Of course it applies to everyone, but it will be a section where great concentration is needed".

The Belgian then analyzed the course, highlighting how the three time checks will allow a perfect understanding of how the test unfolds. "There are three intermediate points, already halfway up the climb, then at the top and finally eight kilometers from the finish. Honestly, I don't think there will be major changes in the classification between the summit and the finish".

Compared to the 2024 Tour, Evenepoel arrives at the time trial one and a half kilos lighter. A choice studied throughout his entire preparation. "The main difference is that today I need less power to reach the same speed. That was precisely the goal of the weight loss. I notice it especially during the stages: I manage to reach the finish consuming less energy".

An advantage that, according to the Belgian, emerges especially over three weeks. "It's not something you perceive in a single day, but over the entire Tour it changes a lot. I consume fewer calories compared to two years ago and this allows me to arrive fresher in the final stages".

For this reason, he is not concerned that the lower weight could penalize him in the race against the clock. "The first ten kilometers are uphill and there having a few kilos less is certainly not a disadvantage. At the 2022 Vuelta I weighed practically the same and the time trials went very well".

On Sunday, Tadej Pogacar had called Evenepoel a possible "thorn in the side" in the third week. A statement that the Belgian accepted with great serenity. "I don't think Tadej needs to worry too much. I don't even know exactly what he meant. Maybe he was talking about the fight for the podium with Del Toro, or perhaps the fact that I could be an awkward opponent if we arrived together in the finale".

His objective remains very clear and certainly does not aim for the final Tour victory. "I will simply try to give my best and to race the best third week of my career, trying to stay as high as possible in the general classification".

Despite Jonas Vingegaard's withdrawal having changed the balance of the race, Evenepoel does not want to fuel illusions about the yellow jersey. "Absolutely not. I'm not thinking about winning the Tour at all. It would be wrong to take for granted that something might happen to Pogacar. My mentality is to defend second place".

The Belgian is already looking ahead to the next stages, trying to calibrate every single choice. "After the time trial there will be two days that should favor a breakaway or a sprint. I will try to manage them in the best possible way to arrive fresh for the decisive stages on Friday and Saturday". The podium remains the big objective. "I said it from day one: I wanted to win a road stage, win the time trial and finish on the podium. So far I'm sticking to the plan, but I need to keep my feet on the ground. Finishing second behind one of the greatest riders in history would already be an enormous result".

Evenepoel does not underestimate his rivals in the race for second place. "There are many contenders. Isaac Del Toro is very close, Paul Seixas is doing something extraordinary and my teammate Florian Lipowitz is not far behind either. I'll have to watch them all".

Among these, it is precisely the young Frenchman who has impressed him most. "What Seixas is doing at nineteen years old is incredible. He's managing enormous pressure, especially from the French media. I believe France needs to protect him and not load too many expectations on his shoulders".

For Evenepoel, the talent of the Decathlon-CMA CGM rider is beyond question. "If he can build his career calmly and without forcing things, one day he will certainly win a Grand Tour. And why not, even the Tour de France". Among the inevitable questions was also one about the nighttime anti-doping controls that in recent days involved Pogacar and Vingegaard.

The Belgian answered the question with a laugh. "No, no doctor came knocking on my door. I slept deeply and normally".

Then he recounted how he spent the evening after his success at Plateau de Solaison. "Before going to bed I watched the World Cup final. The Spanish and Argentines kept me up late. It was a nice way to relax after such an intense day. Fortunately no one woke me up too early".

While smiling, Evenepoel admitted that what happened to his two great Tour rivals made him think. "Now I think about it too. I try to go to bed as early as possible because even a normal control can start at six in the morning. It's very early. It's another reminder, a wake-up call that can go off at any moment. For this reason I will try to always go to bed very early".

With the victory achieved on Sunday and a time trial that seems designed for his characteristics, Remco Evenepoel arrives at the third week of the Tour with enthusiasm, confidence and a very specific objective: to defend second place behind Tadej Pogacar, without letting himself be distracted by dreams that, at least for now, he considers still beyond his reach.