Evenepoel’s wardrobe change for TTs in 2026

During the individual time trial at the UAE Tour, some cycling fans noticed a sartorial shift for world champion Remco Evenepoel. He was racing in long sleeves. For years, the Belgian champion favoured short sleeves in his battles against the clock — including his world titles and Olympic gold.

In the past, Evenepoel has joked about his preference. In the Amazon series Wolfpack, following his former team Soudal Quick-Step, he said that his “skin is apparently faster than a longsleeved skinsuit,” adding that shorter was better.

Remco in full flight is poetry in motion 🤩

Remco Evenepoel has set the benchmark on Stage 2 of the UAE Tour 🤯 pic.twitter.com/ebYcVxzfxV

— Cycling on TNT Sports (@cyclingontnt) February 17, 2026

But times — and teams — have changed. Now riding for Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe, Evenepoel revealed after the stage that the wardrobe switch was no coincidence. “I’m glad someone noticed,” he said, as reported by WielerFlits and Het Nieuwsblad.

He said that the long sleeves were the only adjustment to come out of a recent wind-tunnel session. Evenepoel joked that maybe, as he gets older, his skin does too.

Evenepoel powered to the dub in 13:03, beating Joshua Tarling by six seconds, with Remi Cavagna third. The win handed Evenepoel the leader’s jersey and marked his seventh triumph of the season.

Osgoode, Ont.’s Derek Gee Derek Gee impressed with 14th on the stage, climbing 25 places to 13th overall at 35 seconds.

There were question marks about his speed after a loooong time without races, but it’s clear the national road–and former TT champ, has some early season form.

Stage 1 winner Isaac del Toro slipped to ninth on GC after finishing 27th in the race against the clock.

Stage 3 is a doozy. Riders will tackle the new 13-km Jebel Mobrah climb for the first time at the UAE Tour. It averages 8 per cent with ramps up to 17 per cent in its final seven km. It is definitely a day for the GC men. Will Gee-West have his climbing legs as well? Speaking of kits, the Lidl-Trek rider also has a new look!