Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe have the makings of a great Tour of Flanders team, but is Remco Evenepoel the missing piece for taking on Pogačar and Van der Poel?

The recent analysis from *CyclingNews* posits that Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe possesses the fundamental components for a formidable Tour of Flanders squad. The central question, however, revolves around whether the future addition of Remco Evenepoel could be the decisive factor in challenging the established dominance of Tadej Pogačar and Mathieu van der Poel in the Monument. This speculative discussion highlights the German team's current strengths while identifying a potential 'missing piece' for ultimate Classics glory.

This conversation isn't entirely new, given Evenepoel's long-standing connection to Red Bull and the recent partnership with Bora-Hansgrohe. While Evenepoel has historically focused on Grand Tours, his proven ability in one-day races, including a World Championship and Liège-Bastogne-Liège victories, makes him a compelling hypothetical Classics leader. The team's current roster, featuring strong rouleurs and potential domestiques, would undoubtedly benefit from a rider of Evenepoel's calibre, potentially shifting the balance of power in the cobbled Monuments, where depth and a singular leader are paramount.

Ultimately, this remains a tantalising 'what if' scenario. While Evenepoel's talent is undeniable, the cobbled Monuments demand a specific skillset and race craft that even the most gifted riders don't acquire overnight.