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

[KoopaCycling]

So TT is not important but Gravel and cyclocross are... okay. Nice bias but okay.

Evenepoel is a generational talent. Belgium hasn't had a proper GC guy in ages.Closest was Bruyneel and VDB.
People and Evenepoel hoped he could win GT, both still do. No one except those quick to nitpick gave that as a given. It was more like a hope he might have enough talent to give it a real go. Given that he is amongst the favourites every GC he enters he is fullfilling the hopes. Only those who want to bring him down insist he was supposed to be even better. And win GT with ease... .

I actually think this is the difference between Evenepoel and Van Aert. Or at least with the people amongst me. With Evenepoel we had hope to finally have a true GC guy after so long. So him being there and occasionally winning stuff is already enough. With Van Aert we had expectations. Maybe cause it was not that long ago, but we expected him to be a succesor to Museeuw and Boonen. Perhaps even a more talented version, almost a Sean kelly type of guy. And he fell short. Still a solid career. But not in comparison to the expectations. If he could trade in a third of his podium finishes for victories he'd have a glittering career. alas... he'll have to make do with a really really good career.

Seems the media tour is in full flight. Just read that his injuries (nerve damage) is not fully gone, apparantly it brings some minor problems in daily life, not on the bike. Crashes def. do not make a cyclist better. Apparently he'll be giving a presser in an hour or so as well.

 

[Barkintheeye]

Speak for yourself. You might not care about TT or racing in velodrome, others do. Let's see if Pogacar goes for WC ITT this year, and wins the double. How important it suddenly is then.

I was (partly) joking but you’re completely right. If Pog wins the ITT title then TT counts 😉

 

[red_flanders]

So TT is not important but Gravel and cyclocross are... okay. Nice bias but okay.

Evenepoel is a generational talent. Belgium hasn't had a proper GC guy in ages.Closest was Bruyneel and VDB.
People and Evenepoel hoped he could win GT, both still do. No one except those quick to nitpick gave that as a given. It was more like a hope he might have enough talent to give it a real go. Given that he is amongst the favourites every GC he enters he is fullfilling the hopes. Only those who want to bring him down insist he was supposed to be even better. And win GT with ease... .

I actually think this is the difference between Evenepoel and Van Aert. Or at least with the people amongst me. With Evenepoel we had hope to finally have a true GC guy after so long. So him being there and occasionally winning stuff is already enough. With Van Aert we had expectations. Maybe cause it was not that long ago, but we expected him to be a succesor to Museeuw and Boonen. Perhaps even a more talented version, almost a Sean kelly type of guy. And he fell short. Still a solid career. But not in comparison to the expectations. If he could trade in a third of his podium finishes for victories he'd have a glittering career. alas... he'll have to make do with a really really good career.

Seems the media tour is in full flight. Just read that his injuries (nerve damage) is not fully gone, apparantly it brings some minor problems in daily life, not on the bike. Crashes def. do not make a cyclist better. Apparently he'll be giving a presser in an hour or so as well.

Good post, I would only pick a nit that he actually HAS won a GT already. Would love to see him win the Tour someday...I know the smart money is always going to be on Vingo and Pogi, but he's got room to improve, and as we've seen over the years, other riders can have down years and injuries. See Nibali's one win.

He's been competitive in others, the COVID Giro certainly he was up to that point the strongest, but had good competition from Roglič. Shame about that and his injury history or his palmares might already be more impressive than they are. I know my Belgian family was extremely gratified to see him as double Olympic champion!

Sorry to hear the injury is still giving him issues. Every crash is different as they say...

 

[KoopaCycling]

Dang, I must say I did not like what I was hearing during the presser. Remco saying that if he was a tennis player his career would be over. Shoulder still damaged and will still be needing tape. Only been able to do a few weeks of high intensity training... . Lets hope tomorrow goes better than what this presser insinuates. Even though he also claimed he can win LBL. I mean it's good that Remco has believe in himself. But if what was said is true, it ain't looking all shiny for the weeks to come. hopefully the necessary work can be done so that by the time summer arrives, the shoulder is somewhat better. And he can have a good summer and fall.

 

[Panda Claws]

I really feel for Evenepoel. Nerve pains are awful and I'd think this is likely lifelong damage. He's been quite unlucky in his career so far.

 

[Berniece]

Dang, I must say I did not like what I was hearing during the presser. Remco saying that if he was a tennis player his career would be over. Shoulder still damaged and will still be needing tape. Only been able to do a few weeks of high intensity training... . Lets hope tomorrow goes better than what this presser insinuates. Even though he also claimed he can win LBL. I mean it's good that Remco has believe in himself. But if what was said is true, it ain't looking all shiny for the weeks to come. hopefully the necessary work can be done so that by the time summer arrives, the shoulder is somewhat better. And he can have a good summer and fall.

Yeah he didn’t sound very confident. But even when he’s not good enough to challenge Pogacar I do think he’s good enough to ride top 5 in AGR and LBL

 

[VayaVayaVaya]

I've really come around to liking Remco and hope he has a fully recovery. I would love to see him beat Pogi at LBL. That would be fantastic for the sport. Tough to hear about his shoulder. As some may recall, Roglic had chronic shoulder issues for a couple years before getting surgery in the offseason before 2023. Came in a little weaker than normal (though still won two stage races, one against Remco) and the Giro despite a crash. I'm pretty sure he had ongoing issues as well, but of course each injury and its impact is unique to the person and situation. All that's to say that there is reason to believe he will still be able to perform at the elite level, though maybe not right out of the gates.

 

[Mayomaniac]

Dang, I must say I did not like what I was hearing during the presser. Remco saying that if he was a tennis player his career would be over. Shoulder still damaged and will still be needing tape. Only been able to do a few weeks of high intensity training... . Lets hope tomorrow goes better than what this presser insinuates. Even though he also claimed he can win LBL. I mean it's good that Remco has believe in himself. But if what was said is true, it ain't looking all shiny for the weeks to come. hopefully the necessary work can be done so that by the time summer arrives, the shoulder is somewhat better. And he can have a good summer and fall.

So you're saying I just have to open a car door when Sinner is riding with Ciccone?

 

[Tim Cahill]

So Evenepoel converted to Islam it seems, though my translator could be wrong? I guess that rules a potential Visma transfer out in the future.

 

[SHAD0W93]

Speak for yourself. You might not care about TT or racing in velodrome, others do. Let's see if Pogacar goes for WC ITT this year, and wins the double. How important it suddenly is then.

That’s not a fair comparison though, no one has won both Worlds in the same year so it would be a big deal. Just like Evenepoel doing the double last year at Olympics and even getting the TT and 5th at worlds.

 

[Berniece]

That’s not a fair comparison though, no one has won both Worlds in the same year so it would be a big deal. Just like Evenepoel doing the double last year at Olympics and even getting the TT and 5th at worlds.

Sure, but if you find WC ITT to not be important than combining it with the RR is also not important.

 

[Netserk]

Sure, but if you find WC ITT to not be important than combining it with the RR is also not important.

Correct. And it's not particularly important.

 

[Extinction]

That’s not a fair comparison though, no one has won both Worlds in the same year so it would be a big deal. Just like Evenepoel doing the double last year at Olympics and even getting the TT and 5th at worlds.

The TT counts big time in any stage race, in particular, le Tour, when the Bigs happen to be also excellent time trialists. They don't call it the race of Truth for nothing. Granted it's mostly riveting when the stakes are high. I remember the 86, 87 and 89 Tours when the outcome depended on it, not forgetting 2020. In fact, I'd like to see 50+ flat or rolling TTs come back to balance out the mountains. This gerneration almost demands it for the suspense.

 

[Berniece]

Correct. And it's not particularly important.

For specialists it is.

 

[Juan Pelota]

Did not have Remco converting to Islam on my 2025 bingo card.

 

[YellowSocks]

I don't understand why he had to make it public. It will only bring him trouble. Gen z Remco...

 

[pelotonIQ]

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jzI4oUi2q8

 

[Tim Cahill]

I don't understand why he had to make it public. It will only bring him trouble. Gen z Remco...

Already is, he's getting pelters on Wielerflits

I'd rather it be like this though, not a religious person myself but I've always liked to know where athletes draw inspiration from, politics too, it makes the characters more colourful and engaging.

Perhaps a bit of a millennial view of course. The finest of generations.

 

[YellowSocks]

Already is, he's getting pelters on Wielerflits

I'd rather it be like this though, not a religious person myself but I've always liked to know where athletes draw inspiration from, politics too, it makes the characters more colourful and engaging.

Perhaps a bit of a millennial view of course. The finest of generations.

Let's just say that controversy is part of his karma. In a way, I like him for that too. But he should get tired of it, shouldn't he?

 

[QueenStagiaire]

I don't understand why he had to make it public. It will only bring him trouble. Gen z Remco...

If you get in trouble for being who you are and if who you are is somewhat normal, maybe those people trying to get you in trouble are the real problem.

 

[Netserk]

It'd already be controversial if he came out as a Lutheran, no?

 

[YellowSocks]

maybe those people trying to get you in trouble are the real problem.

Of course. But sometimes one could choose to avoid it. One step at a time. I guess he still hasn't had enough of banging his head against the world. I really like him

 

[Tim Cahill]

Remco the Lutheran does have a certain ring to it actually.

Sorry I'll stop.

 

[pelotonIQ]

While he's at it, why doesn't he also take his wifes last name?

 

[QueenStagiaire]

While he's at it, why doesn't he also take his wifes last name?

We need to add an eye-roll reaction on this forum.