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

[Red Rick]

To be flying at every prep eace and to be good in the 3rd week of the Giro are 2 different things, just ask Roglic.
There's also no way that Remco will be under the rader when the Giro starts, everyone will watch him.
The team probably sees his first gt as a learning experience, let him take it day by day and see what happens.

To abide by human limitations

To be Evenepoel

Pick 1.

 

[jaylew]

I doubt it. That would probably just increase the already huge pressure on his young shoulders.

Agreed. QS doesn't really have many of those type of riders anyway. Someone like Jungels would be perfect but he'll be racing the classics during the Giro.

 

[Mayomaniac]

To abide by human limitations

To be Evenepoel

Pick 1.

I pick being tall enough to get on a rollercoaster without my parents, so option 1.
Jokes aside, that was super impressive, but the first gt is usually a learning experience. Maybe the fact that he was still able to train outside in Belgium durning the lockdown also helped with his shape right now.

 

[Escarabajo]

To abide by human limitations

To be Evenepoel

Pick 1.

He already won the Giro. he should switch to the Tour instead.

 

[ice&fire]

Brailsford has found a use for the budget available after Froome's departure

 

[Red Rick]

I doubt it. That would probably just increase the already huge pressure on his young shoulders.

I might think they'd worry about that if I hadn't seen any quotes from them. They probably worry about winning half the stages in the race.

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

Brailsford has found a use for the budget available after Froome's departure

Tsssk... that's not gonna cut it.

I don't think he's eager to leave DQT, not even for a lot of money. Another team tried to poach him after his first year in the juniors, but he stuck with his team, because they gave him a chance in the first place. He didn't want to shame their trust and leave them after what they did for him.

 

[Red Rick]

Tsssk... that's not gonna cut it.

I don't think he's eager to leave DQT, not even for a lot of money. Another team tried to poach him after his first year in the juniors, but he stuck with his team, because they gave him a chance in the first place. He didn't want to shame their trust and leave them after what they did for him.

Doubt Belgian sponsors would skimp on a few mill to keep Evenepoel around anyway.

 

[Rollthedice]

How's the young prodigy on the descents?

 

[Bonimenier]

How's the young prodigy on the descents?

He looked pretty good at them in San Sebastian and WC juniors in Insbruck.

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

How's the young prodigy on the descents?

From what i've heard, pretty good. But i don't know if that is relative to him being "new to cycling" since 2017, or how that relates to Nibali for instance.

 

[BlueRoads]

I wonder if Quick Step will soon start to considder skipping Jakobsen in the Giro. With Evenepoel a more and more serious topfavoruite, likely to take the pink jersey many days it would be a big advantage with a full team comitted to him instead of Jakobsen with some leadoutguys also. Jakobsen could just take Hodegs spot in the Vuelta instead then.

What, Jakobsen take Hodeg's spot in the Vuelta? Don't scare me.

 

[DNP-Old]

There are no more questions, no more tests. He checks all the boxes. The only issues remaining are minor. For example, this being essentially the start of the season, thus everyone not being in top shape yet. As if Remco is. Sure, some will have an advantage over others due to being able to train outside, but it won't shift the standings 180. These aren't the high mountains, but San Juan showed he can cope. And lastly, the (past) races haven't been three weeks, but it's an overrated matter anyway.

 

[red_flanders]

Turns out he climbs fairly well, eh? The only question remaining is his endurance over 3 weeks. Maybe some about really steep climbs. Not betting against him.

 

[Escarabajo]

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXLL4WUaVAc

 

[Big Doopie]

a succession of steep, high climbs and recovery over three weeks still "questions", and not to be scoffed at (as long as riders are not benefitting from too much recovery "assistance").

however, in my 50 years of following the sport, a rider who shows the qualities he has already shown rarely fails at those tests. in fact, they likely get even more dominant...

something to look forward to.

 

[Walter1234]

Remco road today very intelligent.
The other teams setting pace. He just followed. Even when left with 4 he initially just followed. Even on the first attacks he didn't react. And when the others-don't remember who when - neutralized an attack he went. All others seemed not to take his attack seriously or were playing -stupid at the moment- the game to force the other to close the gap. They made themselves loose by believing you can close in on Remco in a 2km climbing effort.
Another group of riders that learned to know Remco the hard way...

 

[Red Rick]

From what i've heard, pretty good. But i don't know if that is relative to him being "new to cycling" since 2017, or how that relates to Nibali for instance.

If he's half decent he shouldn't have too many problems he is crazy aero

 

[spalco]

One of Evenepoel's most meaningful victories I think even if it's not such a big-name race. Very strong startlist, lots of riders in form and hungry and still there's a clear margin between him and everyone else.

The 3-week-endurance question can't be answered until it's put to the test for real, but I mean, how could anyone still doubt really?

I don't bet on sports, but if I did, I wouldn't bet against him for the Giro.

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

The most important things to remember from today's exploit:

*/ Riding hard on the flat before the final climb doesn't hurt him (likely it is in his advantage compared to his less aero rivals).
*/ He copes with the heat.

I think those are more important than the question that remained concerning his "3 week ability". A guy who does 100k solo's, is great at 50k+ ITT's, recovers fast (as witnessed countless times, earlier this week, in San Sebastian, at the junior WCC etc) will likely not suffer more than any other GC candidate.

 

[Big Doopie]

Remco road today very intelligent.
The other teams setting pace. He just followed. Even when left with 4 he initially just followed. Even on the first attacks he didn't react. And when the others-don't remember who when - neutralized an attack he went. All others seemed not to take his attack seriously or were playing -stupid at the moment- the game to force the other to close the gap. They made themselves loose by believing you can close in on Remco in a 2km climbing effort.
Another group of riders that learned to know Remco the hard way...

Agreed. tho i saw it a little different at the end.

He let Chozas (and Bennett) do the pulling. When Chozas attacked a second time (getting rid of Carapaz who had just made it back), Bennett looked back at Evenepoel. Remco dropped his head and did not come through forcing Bennett to bring back Chozas. At that point Chozas and Bennett had both made extra efforts. He "attacked" by just lifting the pace, looked back and saw that no one had lifted a finger, and so he went. My impression is that there was no hesitation from either Chozas or Bennett, they did not even flinch. They knew they simply could not compete.

 

[Escarabajo]

Who is Chozas?

 

[spalco]

I doubt it. That would probably just increase the already huge pressure on his young shoulders.

I don't know, I'm increasingly leaning towards saying let him wear the pressure. If he's the real deal, then let's go.

You think guys like Hinault or Merckx ever complained about pressure?

 

[Bonimenier]

I don't know, I'm increasingly leaning towards saying let him wear the pressure. If he's the real deal, then let's go.

You think guys like Hinault or Merckx ever complained about pressure?

Yes, I do.

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

Who is Chozas?

The climbing salami.

Agreed. tho i saw it a little different at the end.

He let Chozas (and Bennett) do the pulling. When Chozas attacked a second time (getting rid of Carapaz who had just made it back), Bennett looked back at Evenepoel. Remco dropped his head and did not come through forcing Bennett to bring back Chozas. At that point Chozas and Bennett had both made extra efforts. He "attacked" by just lifting the pace, looked back and saw that no one had lifted a finger, and so he went. My impression is that there was no hesitation from either Chozas or Bennett, they did not even flinch. They knew they simply could not compete.

What actually happened was, that Chozas (let's go with this) attacked, and at the moment the tv directer showed the camera from way behind, you could see Remco react. He brought back Bennett and i think that was the moment he knew he was better. A bit later he did to them what he did to Mayrhofer at the junior WCC.