Ralph Denk Opposes Evenepoel Attempting Double Grand Tour
The team manager warns against balancing a 2027 Giro d'Italia and Tour de France campaign.
Updated on Oct. 24, 2026 in Cycling
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Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe manager Ralph Denk has publicly discouraged rider Remco Evenepoel from attempting to race both the Giro d'Italia and the Tour de France in 2027. Denk cited the historical difficulty of riders successfully competing in two Grand Tours within a single season as the primary reason for his opposition.
Why it matters
The decision is significant as the 2027 Tour de France route features an unusually high number of individual time trial kilometers, which traditionally favors Evenepoel's riding style. Denk noted that his team possesses sufficient depth with other Grand Tour contenders, making a risky double effort unnecessary.
The 2027 Tour de France route includes two individual time trials and three summit finishes. The total time trial mileage represents the highest count since 2012.
The players
Ralph Denk
He serves as the manager of the professional cycling team Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe.
Remco Evenepoel
He is a professional cyclist who finished in second place at the 2026 Tour de France.
The details
Evenepoel, who finished second in the 2026 Tour de France, previously withdrew from the 2023 Giro d'Italia due to a COVID-19 diagnosis. Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe, which boasts a roster featuring Florian Lipowitz, Jai Hindley, Giulio Pellizzari, and Lorenzo Finn, will finalize their plans in December.
Timeline
The 2027 Tour de France route was announced in Paris on October 22, 2026.
The 2027 Giro d'Italia route is set for reveal on November 3, 2026.
Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe will confirm the 2027 program for Remco Evenepoel on December 11, 2026.
Season Trajectory
The 2023 Giro d'Italia withdrawal frames the current debate regarding Remco Evenepoel's physical ability to withstand two consecutive Grand Tour schedules. The team manager uses the rider's prior mid-race exit as a cautionary example for avoiding a demanding 2027 double-season effort.
The exclusion of a double Grand Tour attempt would significantly alter the 2027 race calendar for Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe, potentially clearing the way for other team leaders to headline the Giro d'Italia. This move highlights the strategic trade-offs teams face when designing schedules around the high volume of individual time trial kilometers in the upcoming Tour de France.
The takeaway
Balancing two Grand Tours in one season remains one of the most difficult feats in professional cycling. Management often favors specialized focus to ensure riders reach peak performance during the primary summer events.
What happens next
The 2027 Giro d'Italia route will be revealed on November 3, 2026. Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe is scheduled to officially confirm Remco Evenepoel's 2027 race program on December 11, 2026.
Further reading
For more on the latest racing news and rider developments, visit Cycling.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Cyclingnews.
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