I'd have no issues with Merlier, as long as Merlier understands he's first a flatland dom and would be leading out Remco at intermediates and maybe finsihes if Remco needs bonus seconds
I'd have no issues with Merlier, as long as Merlier understands he's first a flatland dom and would be leading out Remco at intermediates and maybe finsihes if Remco needs bonus seconds
- Aug 10, 2023
- 130
- 173
- 1,030
So it will be harder to spot him when he fades in the mountain stages?
- Aug 3, 2015
- 22,062
- 9,541
- 28,180
You don't bring Merlier if you want him to do that. He should sprint, there are 7 opportunities and he could easily win a couple. Would be stupid not to bring him IMO. Two stages in the Tour is huge, and who are you gonna being anyway? A mediocre climber who does nothing just so you can say all in for Remco?
- Mar 8, 2024
- 1,394
- 2,228
- 5,680
One thing for sure Remco is gonna start the Tour with a bang...he will be out tearing up each stage like rat up a drain pipe
- Sep 12, 2022
- 6,454
- 7,960
- 16,180
- Apr 8, 2023
- 4,910
- 5,759
- 14,180
QS might as well take Merlier because as soon as the road goes up, Remco will be left with Landa (if he's lucky) and that's it. 2022 was fastest ever Tour and they're averaging speeds of peak Lance so add on UAE's "super duper team" and guess if it'll be fast or not.
- Aug 3, 2015
- 22,062
- 9,541
- 28,180
Thats just wildly different cases and you know that. They are bringing Wout though, and he will sprint.
- Sep 12, 2022
- 6,454
- 7,960
- 16,180
Wout is also a completely different rider, or will Merlier also ride himself completely dead uphill for Evenepoel and drop Pogacar?
The thing is, plans have been made in the beginning of the season, Merlier himself said he’s currently feeling quite tired, I don’t see any reason to squeeze him like al lemon if he can take some rest and then build up towards the EC.
- Feb 20, 2012
- 51,207
- 39,483
- 28,180
I hope he doesn't for the simple reason that I enjoy living in peace not watching Merlier win races
- Apr 13, 2021
- 6,557
- 17,332
- 17,180
It´s all in for Evenepoel this year, but if he doesn´t show to be able to win the tour some day, Merlier will be there next year I think.
- Mar 7, 2013
- 624
- 1,213
- 13,180
- Feb 1, 2020
- 1,738
- 1,937
- 8,680
- Jan 10, 2019
- 5,909
- 8,726
- 18,180
- Jun 30, 2022
- 5,976
- 9,185
- 17,180
- Jun 7, 2011
- 20,285
- 19,181
- 28,180
- Jan 10, 2019
- 5,909
- 8,726
- 18,180
He will start stage 1 with a yellow bike and helmet, for his solo victory photo.
- Jan 8, 2020
- 5,094
- 5,798
- 18,180
As indicative of the relative inactivity here, seems like most have pretty low expectations for Remco at this Tour. He isn't being taken seriously as a GC threat, which is understandable given his performance in last year's Vuelta. I'm curious, however, to see his level up to the first TT. Already in stages 1 and 2 there should be signs of where he is at in terms of form against the Bigs. Then of course there is the Galibier on stage 4 and the TT on stage 7. Another issue could be, does the team staff/trainer know how to raise his level significantly for this race? A lot to see just over the horizon.
- Sep 12, 2022
- 6,454
- 7,960
- 16,180
I expect him to finish top 5, or podium if he's actually in top shape. I wouldn't be surprised if he's dropped by the likes of Jorgenson and Roglic on the Galibier though.
- Jan 29, 2020
- 798
- 1,746
- 8,180
- Sep 12, 2022
- 6,454
- 7,960
- 16,180
Agreed. Not that Remco won't develop into a more consistent GC rider -- and much of that was due to illness/injury -- but if he's not able to compete in at least a few mountain stages, then bring Merlier by all means. He's not getting younger.
(I'd probably bring Merlier this year. He's in his prime as a sprinter and I don't think Remco's prep was ideal with the crash; he needs to be 100% to compete with riders like Roglic and Rodriguez, let alone peak Pog/Vingo.)
- Jan 29, 2020
- 798
- 1,746
- 8,180
It's been known for months that Merlier wouldn't be selected for the TDF team, which is why he rode the program that he did, including the Giro.
I too would have liked to see him at the TDF but I don't think it was possible to change the plans last minute and select him because of the crashes of Remco.
After all, Merlier has stated several times over the past few weeks that he is tired after the Giro. At the Belgian NC he was feeling bad all day and he said he needs a break/period of rest which was always planned to happen now.
Selecting him now for the TDF after the program he already did would imo do more harm than good. He'd probably DNF/OTL sooner rather than later.
I too would have liked to see him at the TDF but I don't think it was possible to change the plans last minute and select him because of the crashes of Remco.
After all, Merlier has stated several times over the past few weeks that he is tired after the Giro. At the Belgian NC he was feeling bad all day and he said he needs a break/period of rest which was always planned to happen now.
Selecting him now for the TDF after the program he already did would imo do more harm than good. He'd probably DNF/OTL sooner rather than later.
- May 18, 2023
- 706
- 590
- 3,580
Could be.
He has the potential to be the second strongest helper (after Landa). But his team shouldn't have let him ride the Giro. He will no longer be of any value during the second half of the Tour.
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