Remco Evenepoel finished eighth on the uphill finish of Tour de France Stage 3 on 2 July 2026 and stressed he isn’t disappointed, keeping his focus on the mountain stages ahead.
What happened on Stage 3?
The third stage ran from Saint‑Étienne to Le Puy‑en‑Velay, a 176‑kilometre route topped by a steep 4.5‑kilometre climb. Evenepoel crossed the line in eighth place, 1 minute 12 seconds behind stage winner Tadej Pogacar. He rode a solid tempo on the early flats, then stayed with the lead group on the final ascent, showing the legs that won him the 2023 World Championships.
Why Evenepoel isn’t disappointed
Evenepoel told French TV channel L’Équipe that an eighth‑place finish on a tough uphill finish is “a good sign of form”. He noted that the peloton was unusually aggressive, with several attacks that broke the rhythm. “I expected a better result, but the race unfolded differently. I’m happy to be in the top ten and will use this to build for the high mountains,” he said.
How the result fits his Tour ambitions
Going into the race, Evenepoel was listed among the pre‑race favourites for the overall classification. An eighth place on a short but steep climb suggests he can handle repeated ascents, a key factor for the upcoming Alpine stages. His team, Soudal‑Quick‑Step, will likely protect him through the flat stages while planning a stronger attack on the Col du Grand Côte, scheduled for Stage 7.
What’s next for Evenepoel?
The next stage, on 3 July, is a flat 210‑kilometre sprint from Le Puy‑en‑Velay to Limoges. Evenepoel’s team will aim to keep him safe in the peloton, conserving energy for the first high‑mountain day on 5 July, when the race tackles the Col de Peyres‑Rouges. If he can stay within a minute of the leaders on that climb, he will remain a serious contender for the yellow jersey.
How rivals reacted
Pogacar, who won the stage, praised the competition, noting that “the field is deep, and riders like Evenepoel make the race exciting.” Fellow GC hopeful Jonas Vingegaard said after the stage, “Remco is always a threat; his consistency will be tested in the mountains.” These comments underline the respect Evenepoel commands among his peers.
What fans can expect
Supporters have already taken to social media, posting clips of Evenepoel’s powerful climbs. The Belgian rider’s calm demeanor after the stage has reassured many that he is mentally prepared for the grueling weeks ahead. With a week of flat stages before the first major climb, Evenepoel’s team will likely fine‑tune his bike set‑up for optimal climbing performance.
Bottom line
Evenepoel’s eighth‑place finish on 2 July 2026 shows he is in good shape, even if the result fell short of a podium. His measured response suggests he will stay patient, targeting the decisive mountain stages where his climbing prowess can shine.