Ronde van Vlaanderen 2026, monument, April 5 (men's)

[Krzysztof_O]

Remco accelerate and off he goes, Pogi Mathieu Wout and Mads looking at each other, saying 'You take it'. They all hesitate too long and Remco is nowhere to be seen, until they sprint for second and and meet him after the line.

...and then you wake up.

 

[Didinho]

Hopefully Pedersen/Trek chase down an early Evenepoel move, just for the uproar.

Vingegaard will react to every move.

 

[Krzysztof_O]

Hopefully Pedersen/Trek chase down an early Evenepoel move, just for the uproar.

Maybe the conspiracy plan was created during legendary rides in Spain by Mathieu, who talked Remco into the participation:
Mattieu: Remco, you attack 100 km from the line surprising Pogi (who won't even know you are in the race). Pogacar does all the chasing job: either he fails and you win or he chases you down and I win. Wout promised not to interrupt, he's our friend.
Remco: Deal.

 

[Samu Cuenca]

I’ll be doing a recon as well on Thursday. If he gets dropped by me, he probably won’t ride on Sunday.

Ride as slow as possible if you spot him. We all want him to be there.

 

[ashhutch1997]

I'd be curious on what actual tires each team rides for a race like this. Some are definitely better and sponsors can occasionally turn a blind eye to riders using something else as long as it is disguised.

I think the main problem with the Koppenberg in the wet is that once one rider has to stop, all the other riders behind are in trouble, it's not necessarily to do with tires. I presume most riders are on 32's for the cobble classics these days.

 

[Keldergoat]

E3 doesn't tell us anything as long as Pogacar isn't racing it.

You were blathering about people on this forum, stating that too many state that MvdP is unbeatable in Flanders and that many are underestimating Pogacar. Where exactly is Pogacar underestimated if the public opinion is that he'll win on Sunday easily?

 

[canina82]

You were blathering about people on this forum, stating that too many state that MvdP is unbeatable in Flanders and that many are underestimating Pogacar. Where exactly is Pogacar underestimated if the public opinion is that he'll win on Sunday easily?

I'm not wasting another post answering to this. Read my previous posts.

 

[Red Rick]

So will Remco make a last minute appearance in the RVV completely derailing @Red Rick 's chickening out theory?
Time will tell. (BTW appearing on the road side doesn't count!)

I literally trashtalked the boy into racing RVV.

 

[Krzysztof_O]

I literally trashtalked the boy into racing RVV.

I added Evenepoel to the poll, just in case. I think if he does it then it's collective effort of the forum experts who have been complaining about the lack of early spring monuments in his schedule. And he read it.

 

[Red Rick]

I added Evenepoel to the poll, just in case. I think if he does it then it's collective effort of the forum experts who have been complaining about the lack of early spring monuments in his schedule. And he read it.

Spoiler: Scenes if Evenepoel wins RVV

 

[ChewbaccaDefense]

Vingegaard will react to every move.

Remco to still give the circling hand gesture with nobody on his wheel, even with Jonas not present, because it's now his signature move. Kinda like Lebron's talcum powder thing, but much more annoying and weak.

A friend and I were talking about Remco last week (the day before the first hand gesture day), and we were saying that we both get to a place where we want to like him. and then he does some stupid stuff, and we just can't. It was driven home the next day. He's just not likeable, except by other unlikeable people. It's just the rule.

All that said, I hope he rides. It can't possibly do anything, but make the race more interesting.

Still, Pog gonna' smoke that fool, just like the rest.

 

[Sciatic]

K

Remco to still give the circling hand gesture with nobody on his wheel, even with Jonas not present, because it's now his signature move. Kinda like Lebron's talcum powder thing, but much more annoying and weak.

A friend and I were talking about Remco last week (the day before the first hand gesture day), and we were saying that we both get to a place where we want to like him. and then he does some stupid stuff, and we just can't. It was driven home the next day. He's just not likeable, except by other unlikeable people. It's just the rule.

Some of us can enjoy all that as pure entertainment!

 

[QueenStagiaire]

Spoiler: Scenes if Evenepoel wins RVV

Surely it‘s better than if Pogačar or Van der Poel wins once again, I‘d love for the great Belgian anti-hero to win, at best by showing Pogačar what all that sprint training was for.

 

[ChewbaccaDefense]

I literally trashtalked the boy into racing RVV.

Here is Remco coming back at you:

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7P5qCTLhgA

 

[jotafap]

Remco to still give the circling hand gesture with nobody on his wheel, even with Jonas not present, because it's now his signature move. Kinda like the Stone Cold Stunner, but much more annoying and weak.

A friend and I were talking about Remco last week (the day before the first hand gesture day), and we were saying that we both get to a place where we want to like him. and then he does some stupid stuff, and we just can't. It was driven home the next day. He's just not likeable, except by other unlikeable people. It's just the rule.

Yeah, I get your point. I’ve been a big supporter of Remco ever since I saw him win in Innsbruck WC (I was there), and I remember being devastated when he crashed at Lombardia. Since then, I’ve continued to support him a lot, although sometimes it’s hard since he’s often up against my all-time favorite rider, Tadej.

That said, Remco definitely says and does a bit too much sometimes, both on and off the road, which I can see puts a lot of people off. I’m not a huge fan of that side of him either. Anyway, he has so much potential, but he’s also had so much bad luck with serious injuries, so it’s really a gamble to predict what he’ll be able to win in the future, but I’m all here for it.

I also watched the "THEMOVE"and liked hearing them talk about his current situation (46.27):

View: https://youtu.be/2NcFVqw43fQ?list=PLVxvkgh82tFopMoCcV4AgNqvgeBj2JfPq&t=2788

 

[YavorD]

Here is Remco coming back at you:

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7P5qCTLhgA

That's probably Pogacar on DvB back in 2022.

 

[ChewbaccaDefense]

Yeah, I get your point. I’ve been a big supporter of Remco ever since I saw him win in Innsbruck WC (I was there), and I remember being devastated when he crashed at Lombardia. Since then, I’ve continued to support him a lot, although sometimes it’s hard since he’s often up against my all-time favorite rider, Tadej.

That said, Remco definitely says and does a bit too much sometimes, both on and off the road, which I can see puts a lot of people off. I’m not a huge fan of that side of him either. Anyway, he has so much potential, but he’s also had so much bad luck with serious injuries, so it’s really a gamble to predict what he’ll be able to win in the future, but I’m all here for it.

I also watched the "THEMOVE"and liked hearing them talk about his current situation (46.27):

View: https://youtu.be/2NcFVqw43fQ?list=PLVxvkgh82tFopMoCcV4AgNqvgeBj2JfPq&t=2788

That's the part that makes me want to like him, for sure.

 

[topcat]

Remco now favourite for the PR-tdf double.

 

[red_flanders]

...and then you wake up.

Like it couldn't happen?

This race potentially just got a lot better. The more top riders, the better. Hope he can manage his position well enough to matter.

 

[Didinho]

Remco to still give the circling hand gesture with nobody on his wheel

I’ve been practicing my hand gestures for Thursday if he doesn’t cooperate with me. He’ll finally see how ridiculous it is and stop doing it from now on.

In other news. I’m probably dying on the Koppenberg and doesn’t even see him pass me in our speed difference.

 

[Oldman]

I think the main problem with the Koppenberg in the wet is that once one rider has to stop, all the other riders behind are in trouble, it's not necessarily to do with tires. I presume most riders are on 32's for the cobble classics these days.

True about the stops. But you can occasionally see attacking leaders that can push bigger gears on those climbs without traction loss; even getting out of the saddle to accelerate. This, while other competitors must stay seated and ride smaller gears to avoid slipping. We've all experienced that feeling on a too steep, wet climb where there was a limit to applying power. Just wondered who actually likes the tires they race in these conditions and are they really a sponsor's product?
Based on quick infoweb:
JV is on Vittoria. Their green sidewalled Pave' was my wet go-to tubular. I can assure you it could corner faster than the Conti's of the time (15 yrs ago) to the point you could walk away from a group.
Alpecin is on Pirelli. Their 30cm P2 tubular sounds like a serious Vittoria equal
UAE is on Continental. I haven't had issues with their beaded or tubulars on dry pavement and they wear well. If Conti is to be believed they would use their XRG tubeless 30cm tire. This must have a serious wet compound edition of UAE wouldn't use it. They may also have a stealth tubular for cruel pave conditions but I couldn't find that. I never liked old school Contis on the wet but that prejudice kept from riding their stuff for over a decade.
It'll add another fine point to observe on those cobbled climbs.

 

[Oldman]

Yeah, I get your point. I’ve been a big supporter of Remco ever since I saw him win in Innsbruck WC (I was there), and I remember being devastated when he crashed at Lombardia. Since then, I’ve continued to support him a lot, although sometimes it’s hard since he’s often up against my all-time favorite rider, Tadej.

That said, Remco definitely says and does a bit too much sometimes, both on and off the road, which I can see puts a lot of people off. I’m not a huge fan of that side of him either. Anyway, he has so much potential, but he’s also had so much bad luck with serious injuries, so it’s really a gamble to predict what he’ll be able to win in the future, but I’m all here for it.

I also watched the "THEMOVE"and liked hearing them talk about his current situation (46.27):

View: https://youtu.be/2NcFVqw43fQ?list=PLVxvkgh82tFopMoCcV4AgNqvgeBj2JfPq&t=2788

I have a hard time listening to Bruyneel.
Skipping to George....Dude; how can I believe what you say when the wine in your studio is screaming: "turn off these hot lights and equipment! You're KILLING US!"