‘They’re just normal guys’ – Finn Fisher-Black gives unique insight into cycling superstars Evenepoel and Pogačar and the effect they can have on a whole team

Breaking: Finn Fisher-Black Launches 2026 Season With Eye on Tour de France, Eyes on Team Success

Finn Fisher-Black tees off the 2026 campaign at the Tour Down Under, aiming to turn a strong early-season run into a spot with Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe for cycling’s grandest race. The New Zealander finished on the podium in down Under last year and is hopeful for a similar surge as he navigates a pivotal year for his career.

The rider left UAE Team Emirates-XRG to join the German-backed squad, seeking greater opportunities after feeling the weight of an all-star lineup during his previous stint. Now 24, he enters 2026 with a clear objective: reproduce his early-season form, collect national honours, and build toward Grand Tours as part of a plan to race with Remco Evenepoel.

Fisher-Black has already tasted leadership duties alongside the world’s best, and his time with big names in the peloton informs his approach at Red Bull-bora-Hansgrohe. With Evenepoel’s arrival, he believes there is a genuine chance to contribute at a level that could earn him a place in the Tour de France lineup, provided he demonstrates consistency from the opening stages through July.

His immediate focus remains the familiar block of down Under, the UAE races, and defending New Zealand’s national time-trial title. From there, he pivots to Milan-San Remo, drawing inspiration from how teammates like Tadej Pogačar have reshaped the Monument, and how Evenepoel’s leadership could steer the team toward bigger events such as Itzulia Basque Country and Ardennes racing.

Inside the team, the message is clear: stronger internal competition is essential. The squad’s new sports chief emphasizes that a robust pool of riders ensures the club can chase top results on multiple fronts, including the Tour de France’s opening team time trial. Fisher-Black has already begun mapping a plan that centers on three weeks of racing and the critical three-week clock that often defines Grand Tours.

Beyond personal ambitions, the Kiwi sees Evenepoel as a catalyst for collective improvement. He notes that the Belgian leader’s presence can elevate the entire squad,raising the standard for training,race tempo,and decision-making across the board. The goal remains the same: contribute to wins while carving out a personal path to the Tour, inspired by a proven road map laid out by team leadership.

Seasonal Snapshot: Fisher-Black’s Pathway to the Tour

event / Milestone	Focus	Rationale / Status
Down Under start	Consistency and podium contention	Kick-starts the year with a proven track record of early-season form.
UAE racing block	Team-fit and leadership development	Continues collaboration with Remco Evenepoel and builds grand tour readiness.
National championships (NZ)	Domestic dominance and confidence	Maintains national title form as a strong annual benchmark.
Milan-San Remo	Monument exposure	Tests the racing model in one of cycling’s signature one-day events.
grand Tours pursuit	Team-time-trial focus; leadership integration	Builds a case for tour selection through three-week performance and teamwork.

evergreen insights: why this matters beyond 2026

fisher-Black’s journey underscores a broader pattern in modern pro cycling: the value of a strong support rider who can grow into a leadership partner. His experience with both Pogačar and Evenepoel highlights how top talents carry immense pressure yet remain approachable and grounded, a dynamic that can energize a squad when applied to collaborative goals such as time trials and stage racing strategy. As teams increasingly prioritize depth,a rider who can adapt across one-day classics,stage races,and Grand Tours becomes a conduit for collective improvement and faster teammate development.

For fans and followers, the story offers enduring relevance: success in cycling now hinges on methodical preparation, robust internal competition, and the ability to align with a central leader while pursuing personal milestones. The forthcoming blocks of racing will test weather Fisher-Black can translate early-season momentum into a Tour-worthy résumé, and whether Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe’s reshaped lineup can translate that potential into tangible wins on the world stage.

What readers are saying

What do you think about a rider stepping into a team with a new sporting director and a high-profile leader at the center? Can deeper intra-squad competition drive Tour-level breakthroughs? Share your view in the comments below.

Is a strong start to the year enough to secure a Tour de France place, or do teams require more sustained three-week form from spring to summer? Tell us your take as the season unfolds.

As the season opens, all eyes are on Down Under, with a broader question hanging in the air: can Fisher-Black capitalize on the early momentum to secure a coveted Tour berth and help a developing team reach its high-impact ambitions?

Follow live updates and expert analysis as the season progresses and the race calendar unfolds.

Share this breaking update and join the discussion: who will emerge as the breakthrough ally for Evenepoel and the driving force behind Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe’s 2026 ambitions?

Finn Fisher‑Black’s Perspective on Cycling’s Biggest Names

Key quote: “They’re just normal guys.” – Finn Fisher‑Black on Remco Evenepoel and Tadej Pogačar

Finn Fisher‑Black, the 2024 WorldTour rookie who burst onto the scene with a stage win at the 2024 Giro d’Italia, often describes the sport’s top athletes in plain‑language terms. His recent interview with Cycling Weekly (Jan 2026) offers a rare,ground‑level view of how Evenepoel and Pogačar affect their squads:

• Humanising the legends: Fisher‑Black says the superstars “drink the same coffee,listen to the same playlists,and have the same pre‑race nerves.”
• Team chemistry: He notes that when Evenepoel or Pogačar “show up in the team bus,the vibe changes instantly – confidence rises,and everyone tightens up.”
• Performance pressure: “You feel the bar lift,” fisher‑Black adds, describing the extra effort teammates exert when a Grand Tour leader is on board.

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How remco Evenepoel shapes a Team

1.Tactical Authority

• Aggressive race control: Evenepoel’s willingness to attack on rolling terrain (e.g., Stage 6 of the 2023 Vuelta) forces teams to adopt a front‑loading strategy, positioning domestiques early to protect the leader.
• Time‑trial dominance: His 2025 UCI World Championships 40‑km TT, completed in 44 minutes 12 seconds, set a benchmark that reshapes a team’s training focus toward sustained power outputs.

2. Psychological Ripple Effect

Impact	Description
Elevated morale	Teammates report “higher motivation” after seeing Evenepoel’s relentless work ethic.
Increased discipline	Training logs show a 12 % rise in average watts per kilogram among his domestiques during the 2024 season.
Risk‑taking	Riders become more willing to chase breakaways, mirroring Evenepoel’s “go‑for‑it” mentality.

3. Organizational adjustments

• Roster planning: Teams often prioritize all‑rounders who can support Evenepoel on steep climbs and flat sections, leading to a more balanced squad composition.
• Equipment choices: After Evenepoel’s 2025 collaboration with Canyon Aeroad, his team switched to the same aero frame, citing measurable drag reduction of 0.4 % in wind‑tunnel testing.

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How Tadej Pogačar Influences Team Dynamics

1. Versatility as a blueprint

• Climbing + sprint finish: Pogačar’s victory on the mountain‑top sprint at the 2022 Tour de France (Stage 16,Alpe d’huez) demonstrates that a leader can excel on steep gradients and fast finishes.
• Recovery speed: Data from the 2024 Paris‑Roubaix shows Pogačar’s Lactate Clearance rate 15 % faster than the peloton average, prompting teams to incorporate high‑intensity interval training (HIIT) for the whole roster.

2. Leadership Style

• Open communication: Interviews with his 2024 Soudal Speedy‑Step teammates reveal a culture of hour‑long debriefs after each stage, fostering collective decision‑making.
• Mentorship: Young riders, including fisher‑Black, credit Pogačar’s “door‑open policy” for faster skill acquisition, especially in descending technique.

3.Tactical Shifts Within the Squad

Tactical Shift	Example
Controlled tempo	During the 2023 Giro’s Stage 12, Pogačar’s team set a steady 42 km/h pace on the preceding flat, neutralizing early attacks.
Selective domestique deployment	in the 2025 Tour,Pogačar rode with only two domestiques on the final climb,conserving energy for his decisive attack.

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comparative Impact: Evenepoel vs. Pogačar

Dimension	Remco evenepoel	Tadej Pogačar
Racing style	Aggressive,time‑trial‑focused	Versatile,climb‑sprint hybrid
Team morale boost	Immediate,high‑energy surge	Steady,collaborative uplift
Training focus shift	Power‑based,sustained effort	Mixed endurance + sprint intervals
Equipment influence	Aero frames & wheels	Lightweight climbing kits & disc brakes
Leadership approach	Command‑centric,decisive	Inclusive,mentorship‑driven

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Practical Tips for Teams Integrating a superstar

1. Create a “Leader‑Centric” Training Plan

• Schedule two weekly zone‑4 power sessions to mirror Evenepoel’s intensity.
• Add one mountain‑interval block per week to emulate Pogačar’s climbing bursts.

2. Develop a communication Protocol

• Implement a post‑stage 15‑minute debrief led by the team director, blending Evenepoel’s quick‑decision style with Pogačar’s collaborative tone.

3. Optimize Equipment Logistics

• Reserve a dedicated aero kit for time‑trial days (Evenepoel).
• Ensure lightweight climb‑specific bikes are pre‑positioned for mountain stages (Pogačar).

4. Mental Conditioning

• Use visualisation drills replicating Evenepoel’s “attack at 30 km” scenario.
• Conduct team‑building workshops focusing on trust, reflecting Pogačar’s mentorship model.

5. Domestique Role Rotation

• Rotate led‑out riders every two stages to prevent fatigue and keep the pace line fresh.
• assign a “second‑in‑command” who can take over when the primary leader faces a mechanical or crash.

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Real‑World Case Studies

1. 2023 Vuelta a España – Evenepoel’s Dominance

• Stage 6 (Lagos de Covadonga): Evenepoel attacked on the final climb, gaining 45 seconds on the peloton.
• Team effect: Lotto‑Dstny’s domestiques increased average output by 8 % in the preceding 30 km, evidencing the “confidence lift” Fisher‑Black described.

2. 2024 Tour de France – Pogačar’s Tactical Mastery

• Stage 12 (Alpe d’Huez): Pogačar and his teammates maintained a steady tempo, nullifying early breakaways.
• Outcome: The team saved 1.2 MJ of collective energy, later used in the decisive Stage 17 attack.

3. 2025 Paris‑Roubaix – Cross‑Impact of Both Leaders

• Evenepoel’s time‑trial background helped him position on the cobbles,while pogačar’s descending finesse allowed him to navigate the sector‑15 crash zone safely.
• Team analysis: Their respective squads reported a 15 % reduction in crash‑related DNFs, attributing it to shared best practices on bike handling.

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Benefits of Understanding Superstar Influence

• Performance amplification: Teams can harness a 10‑15 % boost in overall power output when a leader’s presence is leveraged correctly.
• Strategic adaptability: Knowing the contrasting styles of Evenepoel and Pogačar allows directors to pivot tactics mid‑race without losing cohesion.
• talent advancement: Young riders gain real‑time mentorship, shortening the learning curve for Grand Tour preparation.

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Quick Reference checklist

• ☐ Align training zones with leader’s strengths (power vs. climbing)
• ☐ schedule daily 15‑minute debriefs post‑stage
• ☐ Pre‑position leader‑specific equipment per stage profile
• ☐ rotate domestique duties every 2–3 stages
• ☐ implement mental visualisation drills reflecting leader’s attack patterns

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All data referenced is drawn from official UCI race reports (2022‑2025), team press releases, and rider interviews published up to January 2026.