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

[Ripper]

Well I don't know about any of that. I'm just saying that with where he is now, and how much racing he's getting in, I think I would expect him to be on quite good form in 2 months.

I agree, the time is there. Then I went on a tangent

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

Lucky for him he can TT to give him a chance of Podium, because that's his best outcome

Are you saying the reason he made podium last TDF is because he is good at TT?

 

[peterfin]

I made it up ... just kidding!

I recall reading updates of various sorts where he claimed zero activity, then very gentle activity, etc. And a long time without riding. Of course, that does not mean it was entirely accurate and who knows what he was actually doing.

It's all online. He started logging his first indoor ride on Zwift on Jan 13. He continued at a low level on Zwift until Jan 30. He started riding outdoors on Feb 1st.

 

[Ripper]

It's all online. He started logging his first indoor ride on Zwift on Jan 13. He continued at a low level on Zwift until Jan 30. He started riding outdoors on Feb 1st.

And I think it was very short/gentle stuff at first? My memory could be off

 

[Berniece]

I guess there would have to be an agreement about what 'most' means before we could really debate this? Most of the racers who are racing in January? Most of the racers competing in the spring classics? Most of the entire platoon (irrelevant really)?

Also likely the need to discuss what 'training' means?

Most riders with a similar program as Evenepoel. So ridden since stages in February, do Paris-Nice, and build up towards April to peak there.

That’s why Evenepoel started riding outdoors in the beginning of December, and crashed.

 

[houtdffan]

You make it sound like there's only 3 riders in the Tour, and if Pog and Vingo have problems somewhere along the line, Remco has a chance. Lucky for him he can TT to give him a chance of Podium, because that's his best outcome unless he goes for a GT without the big 2.

Vingo was a whole 3 minutes ahead last year.

You saying Remco cannot make up 3 minutes?

 

[Sciatic]

He could have definitely tried to limit the damage instead. Ride his own tempo.

Just strange to bow out without even giving it a try.

Given his position going into the stage and with ITT tomorrow.

Like he wasnt up for it too make bigger effort or want to be seen struggling to follow the others. Thats a weak mentality.

Curious why does that get under your skin so much?

 

[Cycling111]

For various reasons, he hasn't won any of the seven major-tours.

Aside from those he couldn't win against Pogacar at Tirreno or Roglic at the Volta and Dauphine. There are: Paris-Nice vs. Jorgenson, Switzerland vs. Skjelmose, Romandy.

This year he hasn't had the best preparation, but it seems that in this type of one-week races he doesn't reach a high level of climbing.

 

[peterfin]

And I think it was very short/gentle stuff at first? My memory could be off

Yes it was. The first weeks it were one hour sessions at 180 - 200 watts.

 

[YavorD]

For various reasons, he hasn't won any of the seven major-tours

I simply think he isn't too bothered about them.
These races are important, but they don't really define his career.

 

[jmdirt]

Most riders with a similar program as Evenepoel. So ridden since stages in February, do Paris-Nice, and build up towards April to peak there.

That’s why Evenepoel started riding outdoors in the beginning of December, and crashed.

So you are referring to focused training then. None of the top (spring) guys show up to December training camps having done nothing since their last race (unless they crashed or are recovering from something).

 

[jmdirt]

It's all online. He started logging his first indoor ride on Zwift on Jan 13. He continued at a low level on Zwift until Jan 30. He started riding outdoors on Feb 1st.

So that would be about six weeks off of the bike.

I also found an interview where he said that he was unable to do 'anything' during that time.

 

[houtdffan]

He was on donkey duty after all, as per CN itself

'I still have a lot of work to do' - Remco Evenepoel distanced on Tour de Romandie's Thyon 2000 but on upward trajectory for Tour de France

'I just have to give the maximum tomorrow to gain some time back' World and Olympic champion looks ahead to Tour de Romandie finale time trial on Sunday

www.cyclingnews.com

"He also explained that he was riding for Lecerf, 22, who started the stage in second overall but slipped three spots to fifth by the time he reached the top 1:29 behind stage winner and new overall leader Lenny Martinez"

Would have been dropped, but would not have lost as much time if he weren't on donkey duty

 

[CyclistAbi]

Interesting on how jumping over to Pogi was almost effortless and now this. Could be that move was a bit too aggressive for current level, returning from injury. All in all i feel that it's a good idea to get some racing kilometres in the legs after such an injury. A bit too young but i guess never too early to become a mentor to youngsters as we seen today.

 

[Froome]

Considering from what he is coming, he is not in a bad place at the moment, when he still have 2 months for the Tour, and two long altitude training camps.

 

[AmRacer]

Most riders with a similar program as Evenepoel. So ridden since stages in February, do Paris-Nice, and build up towards April to peak there.

That’s why Evenepoel started riding outdoors in the beginning of December, and crashed.

Why would anyone peak in April?

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

For various reasons, he hasn't won any of the seven major-tours.

Aside from those he couldn't win against Pogacar at Tirreno or Roglic at the Volta and Dauphine. There are: Paris-Nice vs. Jorgenson, Switzerland vs. Skjelmose, Romandy.

This year he hasn't had the best preparation, but it seems that in this type of one-week races he doesn't reach a high level of climbing.

He lost Suisse to Skjelmose and Ayuso because it was his first race after his covid infection that made him quit the Giro. The stage he could have taken back time, was neutralised after Mäder's tragic accident.

He came close 3 times (30s or less), there were some valid excuses other times, but ultimately he has never contested one as slim as he could be

 

[AmRacer]

He lost Suisse to Skjelmose and Ayuso because it was his first race after his covid infection that made him quit the Giro. The stage he could have taken back time, was neutralised after Mäder's tragic accident.

He came close 3 times (30s or less), there were some valid excuses other times, but ultimately he has never contested one as slim as he could be

He could have his mountain weight this June when racing Dauphine.

 

[Berniece]

For various reasons, he hasn't won any of the seven major-tours.

Aside from those he couldn't win against Pogacar at Tirreno or Roglic at the Volta and Dauphine. There are: Paris-Nice vs. Jorgenson, Switzerland vs. Skjelmose, Romandy.

This year he hasn't had the best preparation, but it seems that in this type of one-week races he doesn't reach a high level of climbing.

Volta against Roglic? He was stronger but Roglic was smarter. Suisse he just came back from illness.

I only see Volta and Paris Nice as real possibilities of having won, the others were never possible.

 

[KoopaCycling]

There was an interview with his Physio last week (after BP & Amstel), who was surprised at Remco level, expecting him to be good but not this good. Same Physio WVA went to. Says he was in constant direct communciation with both the hospital and the team trainers. At first glance i'm guessing they did a good job considering. But healing simply takes time. By his own words his shoulder is still not right, and may never be like before.

As for Remco 1 week races. I would not say it's all doom & gloom. True he has not won one. But it was craftmanship not physical superiority that saw Roglic win Catalunya. Remco could have won PN last year. I think him & Jorgenson were on par. But Jorgenson was not as well known, and Remco was too focused on Roglic. These were the races Remco went into a bigger 1 week stage race looking competitive.

Tirreno he was just not good enough. I remember being surprised Remco got in the leader jersey at Basque, and was not surprised he lost on the final day. More surprised he was there to contend the overall at all. He never looked like competing on that occasion. It was '22 and he was still only getting his feet wet at the bigger stage races at the time. And he looked like he was carrying too much weight in Basque '22 i think as well. If memory serves.

Tour de Suisse he was building back up after getting Corona during the Giro. Plus he was not going for the Tour. He more or less showed up to race before going on training for his main goals that year (vuelta). And Dauphiné & Romandie he was getting back from crashes.

What do you all think about remco summer + fall?
I would like to see him be good enough to finish top 5 in the dauphiné. Then perform similar to perhaps slightly better than last year TdF. I'll happily take that.

I would like him to ride the vuelta. Not to win it, but as training. The way MVDP rides GT as training for upcoming events. Both Kigali and UEC you'll need to be able to climb. Just incorparate the Vuelta in your training shedule. Don't worry about victories, general, ... there. Just ride according to training and for the fun of it.

 

[Berniece]

What do you all think about remco summer + fall?
I would like to see him be good enough to finish top 5 in the dauphiné. Then perform similar to perhaps slightly better than last year TdF. I'll happily take that.

I would like him to ride the vuelta. Not to win it, but as training. The way MVDP rides GT as training for upcoming events. Both Kigali and UEC you'll need to be able to climb. Just incorparate the Vuelta in your training shedule. Don't worry about victories, general, ... there. Just ride according to training and for the fun of it.

TDF I expect podium, and less than a 9min gap to the winner.

I would also like to see him ride the Vuelta purely as training, with super compensation in WC. But they won’t . He’ll go on vacation after TDF, decompress and start training again while weighing 3-4kg’s too much. Then surprised at WC that Pogacar wins with ease

 

[Armchair Cyclist]

Why would anyone peak in April?

Tagging MvdP

 

[AmRacer]

Tagging MvdP

Yeah, but he isn't racing Romandie

 

[Armchair Cyclist]

Yeah, but he isn't racing Romandie

your question was

Why would anyone peak in April?

 

[AmRacer]

your question was

Yeah, but that was in relation to the post I replied to.