Teams & Riders The Remco Evenepoel is the next Eddy Merckx thread

[Logic-is-your-friend]

so after all the noise about air quality and height. Should we consider Del Toro and to a lesser extent Van Wilder the real candidates for gold?

Del Toro has nobody in his team and doesn't need to play into Pogacar's hand. Van Wilder should be given a free role, would even be in Evenepoel's best interest. But I fear that's never gonna happen.

 

[Oldman]

Like Rick said, Evenepoel could break the record in his sleep. Just schedule it somewhere in the timeframe close to a big ITT goal (WCC, OG...).

I wasn't specifically referring that Remco would have any hesitation about his success. In general, it is one of the last things some riders put on their "must attempt" list. If there were big money in it; Remco could pull a Duplantis/Bubka gradual improvement for some motivation. He's a pro and races for money. Unless he sees the end of a career on the horizon he can let other folks burn up their time.

 

[Oldman]

Team Belgium is a bit worried about the impact of the altitude. They are worried not everyone will be ready in time with adapting to it.

Campenaerts:
There is a big difference between the feeling I had before I left here and the feeling that I have now. The wattages that I ride here are 10% lower than normal. There was a climb in the course of the Mixed Relay that took five minutes. It immediately felt very difficult. While I was riding a pace that I can ride in the Tour for 45 minutes. In addition, it may not feel extremely warm, but as soon as you cross your limit, you cannot cool down due to the great humidity. Your sweat cannot evaporate.

The pollution, UV and temperature provides a much heightened impact than the elevation alone.
Prudent riders will be watching their pulse rate more than wattage. Better to avoid any red zone unless it's the final effort which, for many; will come when they are being dropped and attempt to regain contact....then don't.

 

[red_flanders]

Like Rick said, Evenepoel could break the record in his sleep. Just schedule it somewhere in the timeframe close to a big ITT goal (WCC, OG...).

Bruyneel sez today on the Outcomes podcast that “it’s a rumor right now, but it’s gonna happen…Remco has apparently set his mind on the hour record. That’s on his wish list”.

At about 15:05