The plentiful amount of time trial kilometers at the 2027 Tour de France might be a major lure for Remco Evenepoel, and a control method for Tadej Pogacar, according to former podium finisher Tom Dumoulin.

"I personally think it’s great that they’re starting in Great Britain. I started there myself back in 2014. It was absolutely brilliant—an incredible experience. So, it’s wonderful that they’re heading back there," Dumoulin said in words to NOS.

The three opening days of the race will take place before the race moves south towards France, where they will find a flat 38-kilometer long time trial before the race reaches the mountains.

"But, of course, that was already known. What hadn’t been revealed yet was that this Tour includes a massive number of time-trial kilometers. That is, without a doubt, the most striking feature of this route—especially considering the trend we’ve seen in recent years, where Grand Tour courses have featured very few time-trial kilometers," Dumoulin adds.

The Dutchman is a former time trial World Champion but raced the Tour in a phase where the time trials had lost significance. In the past, it was not unusual for the Tour to feature over 100 kilometers of individual time trialing.

The last time that's happened was in 2012, only two years before Dumoulin's debut. In 2018 when Dumoulin finished second at the Tour there was a 35-kilometer long team time trial; and one with 31 kilometers in length on stage 20.

The 2023 edition featured only one mountainous time trial, won by Jonas Vingegaard - the rider whom, amongst the big GC men in 2026, appears to be less favoured by this route choice.

Tom Dumoulin is certain that the 2027 Tour de France favours Remco Evenepoel

71 kilometers of time trialing at 2027 Tour de France

In a comeback to the past, the 2027 route will feature plenty flat sprint stages and two mostly flat time trials, featuring a combined 71 kilometers against the clock. This major development certainly goes on to benefit the absolute specialists in the discipline.

"Now, they’ve completely changed course, with roughly 70 kilometers of individual time trials in total. That certainly gets my heart racing—and I imagine it does the same for Remco Evenepoel," Dumoulin argues.

"In the last Tour, the outcome was effectively decided quite early on. I think the Tour organizers are clearly keen to find some way to keep the dominance of UAE and Pogacar in check".

Dumoulin has no doubt that the route was designed taking into consideration Tadej Pogacar's specialties, and where he hasn't been able to make the difference in the past. This year, Remco Evenepoel and Paul Seixas' performances in the TT's was above or similar to that of the Slovenian.

"By designing a route that keeps things competitive until quite late in the Tour. The only way to beat Pogacar is through time trial kilometers".