Image: from Mihai Simion X @faustocoppi60
By Open Chronicle Sports Desk
Remco Evenepoel delivered a commanding performance in the individual time trial on Stage 16 of the 2026 Tour de France, confirming his status as the favourite and taking a convincing victory against the clock.
The Belgian rider, representing Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe, completed the course 28 seconds faster than race leader Tadej Pogačar of UAE Team Emirates. Denmark’s Mattias Skjelmose, riding for Lidl-Trek, finished third, 1 minute and 4 seconds behind Evenepoel.
Despite the strength of his victory, the day ended on a difficult note for Evenepoel and his team. Florian Lipowitz was forced to abandon the Tour after suffering a heavy crash during the final kilometres of the stage. His withdrawal represented a major loss for Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe at a crucial point in the race.
Pogačar Remains in the Yellow Jersey
Although he finished second on the stage, Pogačar retained control of the general classification and will continue wearing the yellow jersey.
The Slovenian now leads Evenepoel by 4 minutes and 32 seconds. With the race entering its decisive final stages, Pogačar remains in a strong position, although Evenepoel’s time-trial victory demonstrated that the Belgian is still capable of putting pressure on the defending leader.
Pogačar’s UAE Team Emirates teammate Isaac del Toro finished fifth in the time trial and remains third overall. The Mexican rider is now 6 minutes and 51 seconds behind Pogačar, preserving his place on the provisional podium.
Mountain Classification Unchanged
Pogačar also continues to lead the mountains classification and retains the polka-dot jersey.
His position at the top of both the general and mountain classifications underlines the consistency of his performance throughout the Tour. The Slovenian has remained competitive across mountain stages, hilly terrain and individual time trials, allowing him to maintain control of several major classifications.
Pedersen Holds the Green Jersey
Mads Pedersen continues to lead the points classification and remains in possession of the green jersey.
The Lidl-Trek rider holds a 31-point advantage over Jasper Philipsen of Alpecin-Premier Tech, who remains second in the standings. With several stages still to come, the competition for the green jersey remains open, particularly if future stages favour the sprinters.
Del Toro Retains Young Rider Lead
Isaac del Toro also continues to lead the best young rider classification and will remain in the white jersey.
The Mexican holds a narrow 20-second advantage over Paul Seixas of Decathlon CMA CGM. Seixas gained five seconds on Del Toro during the time trial, reducing the gap and keeping the young rider competition finely balanced.
The battle between Del Toro and Seixas is now one of the closest contests in the Tour, with both riders still capable of taking the white jersey before the race reaches Paris.
Lidl-Trek Leads the Team Classification
Lidl-Trek remains at the top of the team classification, but its advantage over UAE Team Emirates is extremely small.
Only 23 seconds separate the two leading teams, leaving the classification wide open. With UAE Team Emirates controlling the yellow jersey through Pogačar and Lidl-Trek holding strong positions across several classifications, the team competition could remain undecided until the final stages.
Stage 16 strengthened Evenepoel’s position as Pogačar’s principal rival, but it did not significantly alter the overall structure of the race. Pogačar continues to lead the Tour, while Evenepoel, Del Toro and the other contenders prepare for the remaining stages of a race that is still capable of producing further changes.