Tour de France: Can Evenepoel deny UAE a one-two finish in Paris?

Belgian cyclist Remco Evenepoel is proving to be a formidable force in the Tour de France, potentially disrupting UAE Team Emirates' anticipated one-two finish. Evenepoel delivered a stunning performance to win the 16th stage, an individual time trial between Évian-les-Bains and Thonon-les-Bains, signaling his strength in the crucial third week of the race.

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YES. The last one-two by a team in the Tour de France dates back to 2019 with Ineos. Colombian Egan Bernal had beaten Welshman Geraint Thomas.

UAE Team Emirates had planned for a dominant victory, aiming for Tadej Pogacar to win overall, with teammate Isaac Del Toro securing second place. This strategy was designed to ensure a total triumph and make a significant statement. However, Evenepoel's recent successes, including a stage win on Sunday and his decisive time trial victory on Tuesday, have introduced doubt into the dominant team's plans. He has now distanced himself from Del Toro, who finished fifth in the time trial.

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Since the start from Barcelona, UAE Team Emirates has had one fixed idea. Complete the expected triumph of Tadej Pogacar, with Mexican Isaac Del Toro on the second step.

Evenepoel, the 2022 Vuelta a España winner, has demonstrated his capability in Grand Tours. His current form, bolstered by intense preparation including a weight loss of 4 kilograms and a two-month break from competition, suggests a significant breakthrough. This follows a difficult previous Tour de France where he abandoned due to exhaustion. Currently, he sits 4 minutes and 32 seconds behind leader Tadej Pogacar in the general classification, and 2 minutes and 19 seconds ahead of Del Toro. Evenepoel is determined to secure the second position, viewing it as validation of his progress and a stepping stone for future ambitions.

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Remco Evenepoel is not decided to let himself be crushed by the pincer movement deployed by UAE.

A minor setback occurred when Evenepoel's teammate Florian Lipowitz, who was in fifth place overall, crashed heavily and abandoned the race. Despite this, the German team is focused on supporting Evenepoel's push for the highest possible overall standing.

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Remco Evenepoel (winner of the Tour of Spain 2022; 3rd in the Tour de France 2024) has references in the Grand Tours, the question concerning him touched on his ability to chain the big mountain stages to compete for the podium in Paris.