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

[Valv.Piti]

It's a bit the boy who cried wolf. Roglic has sat one too many time in Evenepoel's wheel claiming he couldn't work or wasn't allowed by his team, either to attack him later on, or work against Evenepoel rather than for himself. Two days ago i think Roglic in fact was completely done, but you can't blame Evenepoel for getting fed up and thinking Roglic was once again playing games. He didn't have to push him and he didn't have to say Roglic wasn't working hard to the press (though i personally see no issue whatsoever with the latter, we all could see it) but i can perfectly understand his reaction.

Regarding Vingegaard, if Vingegaard needs special consideration because he was in a crash, that is assuming he is still suffering from his crash. But nobody forced Vingegaard to race the TDF, least of all Evenepoel and Pogacar. If Vingegaard wasn't ready for it, he should have stayed away. But you can't expect your competitors to treat you like a poor victim while you are in fact there to win the race against them. All Evenepoel said was that Vingegaard should could have shown a bit more guts. He just chose to describe it rather graphically.

I personally feel Pogacar's attitude towards Roglic is a lot more damning. Telling Evenepoel he shouldn't worry about Roglic (what for? Because he would crash out? Because he is washed? Because he is not in their league? Because he wants to manipulate Evenepoel into his bro-club for his own gain?) and the day later telling the press how sorry he is for Roglic to crash out and that he was getting stronger every day. That's a lot more two-faced and discrediting than anything Evenepoel has ever done.

Great post as always. Evenepoel did nothing wrong at all in saying what he did (seriously, guts, balls, courage, its all the same, who the *** cares), but I think the way Jonas rode was very defendable from a tactical POV in that specific instance. We all hoped he would play along, but chances were that he wouldn't and it is what it is. Later on it was a lot more blatant when he got away with Pog and Matteo and still decided to obstruct the race. That was the most painful thing about his riding.

Also as a sidenote, being danish and all, its incredible the amount of critiscm Evenepoel receives from the July-fans on social media here who has little to no clue about cycling. Now everyone hopes and prays for his downfall and they are constantly referring to that specific comment, especially when Jonas dropped him on stage 11. But as you say, that had nothing to do with courage, that was simply just stronger legs.

Grande Remco. Stay strong, podium is very realistic, and who knows, its not completely unrealistic to try to win the whole thing.

 

[Netserk]

Late response, but I didn’t say Remco was responsible for Roglic crashing; I said I particularly don’t like Remco’s attitude toward Roglic, which was evidenced by words and actions before Roglic crashed out, given Roglic’s misfortune. I don’t hate Remco by any means - I actually think I am hoping he shocks Pogi and Vinge - but no one who has followed Remco and heard his comments after the stage that Roglic’s pulls were weak could interpret his push as anything but disrespectful.

I enjoy his directness and honesty, but at times he comes across as arrogant and disrespectful. Saying Vingegaard had no balls displayed a lack of judgement regarding strategy and Vingegaard’s form, and a lack of respect for a two-time Tour winner who just came back from terrible injuries. He similarly had issues with Roglic during Catalonia last year, and it seemed like he had trouble grasping the situation on the road. Remco lost the climb on La Port and this he had to attack Roglic to take the win back (he could not.)

He at times says very respectful things and no doubt feels respect to all of those riders at times and at others feels angry or contemptuous toward them; he’s only human like all of us.

He behaves like a football player.

 

[Netserk]

Saying sometimes you have to ride with guts and saying Vingegaard didn't do that that day, imho is not really disrespectful, rather simply calling it like we all saw it.

If those were Evenepoel's words, it would have played better.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1810002042234003483

View: https://x.com/itvcycling/status/1810002042234003483

"Maybe Jonas didn't have [the balls to race] today."

Not really disrespectful, sure.

 

[Berniece]

If those were Evenepoel's words, it would have played better.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1810002042234003483

View: https://x.com/itvcycling/status/1810002042234003483

"Maybe Jonas didn't have [the balls to race] today."

Not really disrespectful, sure.

Because when he first mentioned this he said: “Tom Boonen used to say that sometimes you need to show big balls to win”.

 

[Extinction]

He behaves like a football player.

No, like a cyclist.

 

[Netserk]

Because when he first mentioned this he said: “Tom Boonen used to say that sometimes you need to show big balls to win”.

At what timestamp does he mention Boonen in the interview with Danish TV2?

 

[Berniece]

At what timestamp does he mention Boonen in the interview with Danish TV2?

Dutch interview with Sporza. And then he went on to other interviews without giving that context.

 

[Netserk]

Dutch interview with Sporza. And then he went on to other interviews without giving that context.

Doesn't change that his answer to Danish TV2 was disrespectful.

And it would have made a difference if he said that Vingegaard didn't show big balls. Instead he said that maybe he didn't have them. That's disrespectful.

 

[Berniece]

Doesn't change that his answer to Danish TV2 was disrespectful.

And it would have made a difference if he said that Vingegaard didn't show big balls. Instead he said that maybe he didn't have them. That's disrespectful.

Yes we’ve already established that you find it insulting. [[content removed]]

 

[Netserk]

Yes we’ve already established that you find it insulting.[[content removed]]

I don't see the point in making a personal comment. Why not keep the discussion about Evenepoel?

 

[MLKarlos]

I completely understand your question.
To be honest, that is the only info I have. I do not know which team, as of when, the €€€,...

Since months, I try to look for answers as my source (clearly embarrased by his slip of the tongue) doesn't want to share more info.
I also tried to interpret communication from Remco and Patrick Lefèvre. They communicate like if he would still be part of the squad next year. So, that's a bit strange. Unless Remco has signed a contract for the 2026 season.

My contact is family and he has it from Patrick Evenpoel himself.

My gut tells me he will ride for Red Bull from 2026 on

 

[Berniece]

I don't see the point in making a personal comment. Why not keep the discussion about Evenepoel?

Because that discussion is over. You find it insulting, most of us here don’t. That’s it.

 

[Netserk]

Because that discussion is over. You find it insulting, most of us here don’t. That’s it.

The discussion is not over when others here keep bringing it up and say that it wasn't disrespectful. It was.

Evenepoel's temperament makes him behave poorly, and I think that should be acknowledged. He disrespects his competitors repeatedly when he gets frustrated by how they ride.

 

[Medvind]

"I am looking forward to it. The last few days have been tough, so there's some fatigue in the legs. This basically works to my advantage. The race will be different," says the second place rider according to Wielerflits.

Sounds reasonable. More fatigued legs then less hard riding and probably a more steady pace, which suits Remco better.

 

[Extinction]

I don't see the point in making a personal comment. Why not keep the discussion about Evenepoel?

I don't mean anything personal, but you're kinda living up to your avatar on this one. As has been repeated, a bit of salt in the both makes the soup more flavorful. Why is that in this day and age people get so worked up over a bit of locker-room talk? I mean it's the way sportsmen have always spoken about competition. I find the virtue signaling intollerable. Let them speak their minds.

PS: Evenepoel did not disrespect Vingegaard, as he clearly stated he knows the underlying reasons for his tactics.

 

[Berniece]

The discussion is not over when others here keep bringing it up and say that it wasn't disrespectful. It was.

Evenepoel's temperament makes him behave poorly, and I think that should be acknowledged. He disrespects his competitors repeatedly when he gets frustrated by how they ride.

What temperament? He said it jokingly

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

If those were Evenepoel's words, it would have played better.

"Maybe Jonas didn't have [the balls to race] today."

Not really disrespectful, sure.

Sure. And like i said at the time, i would personally not have said the second part of his statement mentioning Vingegaard, it would have been implied by simply saying "sometimes it takes balls to race". But really, like i said in a part you didn't quote, it's just another way to describe a lack of guts. You can be offended by it, but that imho is a choice. The message was, he didn't ride gutsy. And the fact is, he didn't ride gutsy.

Also, and i mean this in a non offensive way, regardless of the differences we've had in the past, so i hope the mod won't slap me with a harassment ban again, but Netserk, if there is one poster on the forum that has been advocating riders stop being sissies, need to grow thicker skin, etc, i would say that poster is you. But suddenly you act extremely sensitive to this and to what i posted in the Roglic thread (while it may surprise you, that was an honest post), while in the past you have been a frontrunner to turn the screws on certain riders (like Evenepoel). You said you "noted" the behaviour of posters as a reaction to Roglic crashing out (even though most post were made before he DNS), do you sometimes also "note" your own reactions to riders you are not a fan of?

 

[Armchair Cyclist]

...
Also, and i mean this in a non offensive way, regardless of the differences we've had in the past, so i hope the mod won't slap me with a harassment ban again, but...

And I don't want to, so if the two of you want to have a discussion between yourselves about your response to a rider's choice of terminology, take it to PM.

 

[VayaVayaVaya]

Man, I don't know if you were around in the 80s, but saying someone didn't have balls was nothing in comparison to the banter back then. I don't like this culture of over-sensitivity constructed to protect everyone from feeling insulted, because it's hypocritical and manipulative to dissuade people from speaking their minds. Let's just pretend cycling isn't a ruthless war and that riders are fragile crystal glasses. But this is all just part of the general Western neurosis of so-called safe space culture, an unnatural perversion intended to be free of bias, conflict, criticism, or potentially threatening actions, ideas, or conversations, with the result that everyone is overjoyed at the opportunity to be offended. The reality is that cycling, like life, is ruthless, so you'd better be able to roll with the punches. No, I rather enjoyed Remco's straight talk, which is so refreshing from the rather spineless and annoying pre-concocted play-nice drivel that has become the staple. I remember when Fignon called Lemond "excess baggage" and it was wonderful.

I agree as you say in an other post that salt makes the soup more flavorful, and that Remco enlivens races. I agree with most of what you’re saying here. But if you take that out of the equation and just assess Remco’s behavior and comments, I fail to see how one could not see it as disrespectful. And I mean that both in the sense most here have referenced (insulting, which refers to the effect in the object of the disrespect) and the actual inherent lack of respect underlying the outward behavior. The first is annoying, as I don’t enjoy Remco insulting a rider I cheer for (and many feel that the push was an insult, including Marcel Kittel, the Lantern Rouge guys, etc.), but the second seems to me to be a sign of immaturity and/or poor strategic awareness. He should respect Roglic and Vingegaard because they are winners. Roglic in particular knows how to win even when he is not the strongest. Fully respecting them will enable him to better understand race situations and strategy IMO.

 

[Extinction]

I agree as you say in an other post that salt makes the soup more flavorful, and that Remco enlivens races. I agree with most of what you’re saying here. But if you take that out of the equation and just assess Remco’s behavior and comments, I fail to see how one could not see it as disrespectful. And I mean that both in the sense most here have referenced (insulting, which refers to the effect in the object of the disrespect) and the actual inherent lack of respect underlying the outward behavior. The first is annoying, as I don’t enjoy Remco insulting a rider I cheer for (and many feel that the push was an insult, including Marcel Kittel, the Lantern Rouge guys, etc.), but the second seems to me to be a sign of immaturity and/or poor strategic awareness. He should respect Roglic and Vingegaard because they are winners. Roglic in particular knows how to win even when he is not the strongest. Fully respecting them will enable him to better understand race situations and strategy IMO.

I appreciated your sentiment, but I don't think it was insulting, provocative yes, but to me it takes more than just talking smack in the context of the hardest sporting event in the world to equate offensive. Now boxers before the big fight hurl manifest insults at one another with disparaging intent.

 

[Eddy Evenepoel]

I think Remco went too deep when he closed to Vingegaard. It was almost like a full on attack when looking how he distanced the guys behind.

But on a positive side: This was another step towards the podium and today was a though stage with “big multi cols”

 

[steffr222]

Nice one for Remco, another important step to GC top 3

 

[Snake]

He went in overconfidence when he closed to vingeegard, with a more conservative strategy maybe he would have lost 10-15 seconds less. Anyway gap on other humans is huge, at this point he can lose podium only with a really bad day

 

[steffr222]

That’s it - #1 was never on the cards, 3rd is highest possible to reach and he is on his way to. Big experiences for coming years, hope there’s no off day coming

 

[Medvind]

Well done Remco, starting to believe you one day can challenge for the tour win.