38th Vuelta a San Juan Internacional (2.1) // 26th of January - 2nd of February 2020

[tobydawq]

What do you mean? That was him sprinting, lol.

Of course he sprinted badly today, when he had just ridden tempo on the front for two minutes before the sprint.

He did it in the Belgium Tour as well, when he got home with Campenaerts and Kron.

Just drilling it on the front in the final two kilometres, not at least trying to give himself a chance or playing the tactical game. It seems a little weird.

 

[GuntherL]

Although Alaphilippe's absence is significant, I have to say I'm disappointed in DQS performance today. UAE and Bora made a much better impression. They'll have to improve to make the classics season successful.

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

Remco in the post race interview forgot Ganna was 2nd in GC. Kept saying that Sevilla was in 2nd and that's why he worked with him in the chase.

 

[sir fly]

That was an interesting chase.
A nice win for Florez and confirmation of Evenepoel's talent. Martin good too.
Some fit legs already.

 

[Koronin]

Now we know why he keeps trying to attack from anywhere. He can't beat beat anyone in a sprint and certainly doesn't want to go to the line with someone half competent in a sprint let alone with someone who can actually sprint.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Evenepoel really is the polar opposite from Van der Poel, zero explosiveness. But even when he was a minute behind, when i saw how calm he was he was never in trouble.

weird climb though, looked like 18km of false flat to me. Freaking 84kg Ganna in the top 5 says it all. Pure power

 

[LesDiablesRouges]

Of course he sprinted badly today, when he had just ridden tempo on the front for two minutes before the sprint.

He did it in the Belgium Tour as well, when he got home with Campenaerts and Kron.

Just drilling it on the front in the final two kilometres, not at least trying to give himself a chance or playing the tactical game. It seems a little weird.

The problem is that for all of his talent he literally has no kick.

He’s worst sprinter in the WT and probably the Pro-Continental Tour.

 

[Bonimenier]

Evenepoel really is the polar opposite from Van der Poel, zero explosiveness. But even when he was a minute behind, when i saw how calm he was he was never in trouble.

weird climb though, looked like 18km of false flat to me. Freaking 84kg Ganna in the top 5 says it all. Pure power

A couple of days ago the commentators said Ineos wants to transform him in a Gc-rider after the Olympics. Sounds crazy for a bear like him.

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

Evenepoel really is the polar opposite from Van der Poel, zero explosiveness.

Yup. Ever since i knew both would ride Flèche Wallonne i have been thinking about how differently they would react to the final climb. I can't see either of them really competing (like i've said before about Mathieu) but i can easily see Remco getting swamped by guys with a better kick in the early part of the climb, never getting in position even though he may climb better than a lot of those guys. (Assuming they reach the climb without setbacks and try to ride their own race).

 

[KZD]

Evenepoel really is the polar opposite from Van der Poel, zero explosiveness. But even when he was a minute behind, when i saw how calm he was he was never in trouble.

weird climb though, looked like 18km of false flat to me. Freaking 84kg Ganna in the top 5 says it all. Pure power

Ganna is looking like the perfect guy for Ineos to put working on the front in future Tours.

Evenepoel recovering well from his mistake but he will need to be more careful the next time.

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

Ganna is looking like the perfect guy for Ineos to put working on the front in future Tours.

Evenepoel recovering well from his mistake but he will need to be more careful the next time.

If nothing else, lesson learned (i hope).

 

[Zinoviev Letter]

Evenepoel really is the polar opposite from Van der Poel, zero explosiveness. But even when he was a minute behind, when i saw how calm he was he was never in trouble.

weird climb though, looked like 18km of false flat to me. Freaking 84kg Ganna in the top 5 says it all. Pure power

Yeah does anyone know the actual gradient? They did seem to be going very fast.

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

Yeah does anyone know the actual gradient? They did seem to be going very fast.

Supposedly 4.1-4.4 % average, with short ramps up to 8% i think. It's on the first page of the topic.

 

[Joelsim]

4-5% so I believe.

Considering he was on the front of the chase for so long before Medellin stepped in to help, and the likes of Ganna, McNulty, Florez and Martin were being pulled along in the front group with everyone else rotating turns in front of them, I think Remco showed just how strong he was.

 

[JosephK]

A couple of days ago the commentators said Ineos wants to transform him in a Gc-rider after the Olympics. Sounds crazy for a bear like him.

If they could do it with Wiggins, then Ganna seems like he could fit this mold. . . . Feeling sad for Ineos, having to resort to desperate measures to scrape together some GC talent. If only they had one or two guys that could contend for grand tour wins.

 

[yaco]

Remco showed he was strong but as I suggested had limited mountain support - It will be interesting to see how QS configure their team in the next few years if Remco continues on the GC path.

 

[RedheadDane]

So... I lost patience with that coverage ***!
What did I miss?

 

[Escarabajo]

This climb is a power climb with soft gradient. But it is always fun to watch. For some reason usually produces a nice race. I think I know why. Imagine the winds of northern France with 4-5% gradient. That is crazy. Maybe not quite but being like a dessert it is open for the Strong winds from the Andes.

 

[red_flanders]

This climb is a power climb with soft gradient. But it is always fun to watch. For some reason usually produces a nice race. I think I know why. Imagine the winds of northern France with 4-5% gradient. That is crazy. Maybe not quite but being like a dessert it is open for the Strong winds from the Andes.

Probably because 2500 meters...

 

[Mayomaniac]

Evenepoel really is the polar opposite from Van der Poel, zero explosiveness. But even when he was a minute behind, when i saw how calm he was he was never in trouble.

weird climb though, looked like 18km of false flat to me. Freaking 84kg Ganna in the top 5 says it all. Pure power

Yeah, he's as explosive as comback Basso, but with a vintage Tony Martin engine for the TTs and flat/rolling terrain.
The difference is that Basso still had a decent sprint for a gc rider. I wonder who would win a sprint between Remco and Formolo, maybe we'll find out at the Olympics.

 

[Red Rick]

Disastrous sprint does not mean there's no anaerobic capacity and if he's got bit of that there shouldn't be too many problems.

 

[sir fly]

So... I lost patience with that coverage ***!
What did I miss?

A split in the crosswind, chase, uphill drag, sprint finish, a moonscape... not much.
For a moment I thought you ran away...

 

[RedheadDane]

A split in the crosswind, chase, uphill drag, sprint finish, a moonscape... not much.
For a moment I thought you ran away...

Technically, I did. I ran away away to my bed.
And it seems like I did miss something…

 

[tobydawq]

Technically, I did. I ran away away to my bed.
And it seems like I did miss something…

Yeah, it was a very good stage.

Maybe, you're the new Gigs.

 

[Akuryo]

Remco showed he was strong but as I suggested had limited mountain support - It will be interesting to see how QS configure their team in the next few years if Remco continues on the GC path.

They got some talented riders this year in Almeida, Bagioli and Vansevenant to grow with him. And Knox also extended last fall. So you have at least 4 young riders who can climb to a degree already and will probably get better together with Remco. I actually like the idea of putting a team together that can challenge some big(ger) races in maybe two years instead of buying 30-something year old domestiques who you have to replace once Evenepoel is actually a genuine contender.