COURCHEVEL, France (Velo) — Is Remco Evenepoel finally heading to Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe?
More sources are pointing to a deal that could rewire the elite men’s WorldTour.
Another source confirmed to Velo overnight that a deal is on the table, and La Gazzetta dello Sport suggested Friday that a three-year deal that would run from 2026 to 2028 is already signed.
Red Bull wants to muscle in on the yellow jersey fight that’s dominated right now by UAE Emirates-XRG and Visma-Lease a Bike, and Evenepoel is seen as the team’s best immediate choice.
Sources confirmed to Velo on Thursday that talks with Evenepoel heated up after the Belgian’s untimely exit from the Tour de France last week.
Spanish sports daily MARCA spoke with Ralph Denk at the start of Friday’s stage, and he would not comment directly on Evenepoel.
“Remco has a contract next year with Soudal,” Denk told MARCA. “He’s an interesting rider. If he’s free, every team in the peloton would speak with him to convince him to join their project. You never know. But it’s not news, because he has a contract.”
Trade rumors have been simmering around Evenepoel since late 2023, but sources close to the parties involved suggested that negotiations have accelerated for Evenepoel to join Red Bull for 2026 and leave Soudal Quick-Step with a year left on his contract.
Also read: Who is Florian Lipowitz? Meet the sensation of the Tour
Evenepoel, who remains under contract with Soudal Quick-Step through the end of 2026, would require a substantial buyout.
That appears to be the biggest roadblock, but it sources say that the financial issues are closer to being hammered out.
Red Bull has deep pockets, and the Austrian energy drink giant appears ready to go all-in to make the 25-year-old the face of its WorldTour project.
Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe officials said they would not add to what’s already been said since the Tour stated, which is largely no comment on the ongoing rumors.
Red Bull pushing the accelerator
It’s no secret that Red Bull is looking for a new marquee headliner to carry the team for the next few years.
Speaking to Velo last week, team manager Ralph Denk refused to comment on any possible Evenepoel move, but said the team is committed to building a Tour de France winner.
“You have two options,” Denk told Velo. “To try to find one on the market and make them better. Or build some new guys up from the rookies.”
Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe already boasts a proven grand tour winner with Primož Roglič, but at 36 in October, he’s aging out as a frontline yellow jersey contender.
Breakout climbing star Florian Lipowitz, 24, is a massive payoff for Red Bull, and he’s expected to stay in Red Bull colors after this season.
Lipowitz is not a dragon on the descent. If Jorgenson keeps pushing until the foot of Col de la Loze, Florian will lose the Tour podium to Roglic in the valley. I kind of feel bad for him but it was the right decision by Red Bull, Rogla shouldn’t have waited.#TDF2025 pic.twitter.com/mh2m4ocxEl
— Mihai Simion (@faustocoppi60) July 24, 2025
Sources say there would be plenty of room for all three.
Roglič is expected to race at least one more season if he wants to, and Lipowitz is considered a middle-term project and Red Bull won’t let him go.
If Evenepoel arrives by 2026, the Belgian could focus on the Tour and Lipowitz would have a free run at the Giro d’Italia to confirm his grand tour chops.
Evenepoel has resumed training following his Tour exit, and despite abandoning and his career-threatening injury in December in an off-season crash, his market value remains high.
Also read: Roglič’s ‘I don’t care’ Tour tactic
Rumors about the Evenepoel deal have been flying since this Tour began.
Denk was also quoted on a Red Bull podcast at the start of the Tour admitting the team is interested in Evenepoel, but said the buyout from Quick-Step remains unresolved.
Quick-Step rebuilding the ‘Wolfpack’
The Evenepoel-Red Bull transfer story is one that’s dragged on for more than one year, but there are a few other tell-tale signs that suggest things are finally moving.
Quick-Step is reloading for the cobbles, locking in Belgian veteran Yves Lampaert to mentor budding classics star Paul Magnier. The team is also reportedly chasing Jasper Stuyven, Dylan van Baarle, and Stef Cras, according to Belgian media.
There were reports that Evenepoel was unhappy with the quality of support riders the team was signing for 2025.
Those moves are seen as signs the team is putting some teeth back into its classics-centric “Wolfpack” in anticipation of Evenepoel’s departure.
— Ann Braeckman (@BraeckmanAnn) July 10, 2025
The Specialized connection is another key piece of the puzzle.
Evenepoel’s long-term deal with the U.S. brand fits neatly into a Red Bull move. Soudal Quick-Step and Red Bull are the two WorldTour teams currently backed by Specialized, and sources say that it’s not looking to add another team to its WorldTour quiver.
Ineos Grenadiers and Visma-Lease a Bike, two former suitors for the Remco sweepstakes, are both no longer in the running, sources said.
Another hint is the arrival of Sven Vanthourenhout, the former Belgian national coach that guided Evenepoel to two Olympic gold medals, will join Red Bull this season in a support role with sport manager Rolf Aldag.
Cycling’s biggest paycheck?
Details of any deal are not confirmed, but sources indicated last year that Evenepoel could sign a contract that could be worth $10 million per season, perhaps making him the highest-paid rider in the men’s WorldTour.
Tadej Pogacar is reportedly on $8 million per season and Jonas Vingegaard on about $5 million, with each receiving lucrative performance bonuses.
Also read: ‘I’m paid to win’: Why Pogačar is devouring the Tour record books
According to UCI rules, teams are not allowed to reveal new trade deals until August 1.
One source said it’s ultimately up to Evenepoel, who turns 26 in January, to make the final decision if he stays or if he goes.
The risk in staying one more season at Quick-Step, however, could see his value slip if he has another lackluster Tour next season.