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

[Karl Merckx]

1. He has trouble fighting for position in a big peloton. He loses places. Could be because of technical ability or because he doesnt like the fight. He freezes up.

He obviously didn't had this problem yesterday (you could say it's not a real peloton which is true) and in general he doesn't really have this problem when the legs are good.

 

[Salvarani]

He obviously didn't had this problem yesterday (you could say it's not a real peloton which is true) and in general he doesn't really have this problem when the legs are good.

Didnt say it was the problem yesterday, more so it was 2. that had do to with yesterday. What I gathered is after watching multiple races, observing and just thinking about it.

 

[peterfin]

When the dust has settled over the cobbles in Kigali, there is at least something positive that remains: Remco's believe that he can challenge Pogacar in road races. At least that believe is not gone regardless of all the noise. Ever since Pogacar's Strade Bianche's demolition in 2024 we could only count on MVDP to do something about Pogacar's long raids, and only when the hills are not too demanding. This has become such a dull sport where only a few guys remain to take him on in the classics, WCs and GTs with the believe that they shouldn't settle for second whenever he cranks up his pedals. We should cherish them, not criticize them when things don't work out and frustration or disappointment overpower them.

 

[AmRacer]

When the dust has settled over the cobbles in Kigali, there is at least something positive that remains: Remco's believe that he can challenge Pogacar in road races. At least that believe is not gone regardless of all the noise. Ever since Pogacar's Strade Bianche's demolition in 2024 we could only count on MVDP to do something about Pogacar's long raids, and only when the hills are not too demanding. This has become such a dull sport where only a few guys remain to take him on in the classics, WCs and GTs with the believe that they shouldn't settle for second whenever he cranks up his pedals. We should cherish them, not criticize them when things don't work out and frustration or disappointment overpower them.

Jonas still believes he can win the TdF once more.

 

[peterfin]

Jonas still believes he can win the TdF once more.

I am glad he does. He is one of the few too.

 

[Peyroteo94]

When the dust has settled over the cobbles in Kigali, there is at least something positive that remains: Remco's believe that he can challenge Pogacar in road races. At least that believe is not gone regardless of all the noise. Ever since Pogacar's Strade Bianche's demolition in 2024 we could only count on MVDP to do something about Pogacar's long raids, and only when the hills are not too demanding. This has become such a dull sport where only a few guys remain to take him on in the classics, WCs and GTs with the believe that they shouldn't settle for second whenever he cranks up his pedals. We should cherish them, not criticize them when things don't work out and frustration or disappointment overpower them.

Great post (I don't agree with the bold part though).

 

[Berniece]

Great post (I don't agree with the bold part though).

You prefer robots that ride mechanically? Figures

 

[AmRacer]

You prefer robots that ride mechanically? Figures

ITT robots

 

[KoopaCycling]

How has Evenepoel's winning mentality been expressed in stage races?

You mean the GT's i take it. Cause outisde of that, there are plenty of easy examples.

-Last stage of PN 2024
- Catalunya 23
- Algarve 2020
-Burgos 2020
- Norway 2022
- Tour of Belgium 2019
- Tour de Pologne 2020

I remember spectatcular stages in all of them from Remco.

As for GT.
I'm gonna immeditaly disqualify both giro. (first came too early and out of form, second he left with covid. You can maybe make an argument for that final TT ride but all in all he left that Giro 2 early for me to cosnsider.) I also have to disqualify this year Tour. You can make the argument his winning mentality was shown by showing up out of shape hoping for the best, but all in all i don't think you should consider that out of form gt for this conversation.

That leaves:
-Vuelta 22 where he attacked on the first 2 mountain stages. Held fast in sierra nevada despite suffering from a crash, then attacked again in another mountainstage.

- Vuelta 23 cracked on Tourmalet but not before taking it to Roglic in an uphill sprint, and deciding to pace up a wall so that Visma could not use their numbers. Basically trying to be a 1 man deterrent for Visma team tactics. He then did not quit but showed resilience by taking stages and the polka dots.

-Tour 24 He came in not sure what to expect. still rode aggressively in the gravel stage and tried to attack Vingegaard for second place.

 

[Oldman]

Mechanic saying everything was fine about the 2nd bike. He confirmed issues with the first one.

You only need to lose a few centimeters in saddle height to lose power. Your entire pedal stroke can be off but it's clear the seat post didn't "collapse". It's also Remco's job to look where he's riding as carbon posts/tubes can be finicky to impact.
"but just some bad luck did not allow me to take my double today." Not a statement that helped his cause for an adult pro. OK to state: bad luck had me off my game but it's my job to continue and, Oh: congratulations to Mr. Pogacar might have been better in hindsight.

 

[Ilmaestro99]

That's insane, if you care so much about EC TT that you want to participate in it. Just fly private... Why are you making it yourself so hard.

Remco when he finishes 2nd behind ganna on Wednesday:

'i was not at my best. The journey to get here was top long and convoluted and it impacted my sleep and my recovery. Without that I would have won'

 

[Berniece]

Remco when he finishes 2nd behind ganna on Wednesday:

'i was not at my best. The journey to get here was top long and convoluted and it impacted my sleep and my recovery. Without that I would have won'

Would probably be true though. If he wins everyone is like: of course he wins, he’s the best and no one cares about ITT

 

[Oldman]

Remco when he finishes 2nd behind ganna on Wednesday:

'i was not at my best. The journey to get here was top long and convoluted and it impacted my sleep and my recovery. Without that I would have won'

He'd better win the RR.

 

[Lequack]

Evenepoel already made the switch in his mind and is focused on the ITT and RR of the UEC. He said it was his own mistake getting of the bike the 2nd time.

“Remco zei zelf dat hij niet had mogen stoppen”: bondscoach Serge Pauwels blikt terug op WK en die cruciale fietswissel van Evenepoel

Goud, zilver en brons. Dat zijn drie Belgische medailles bij de mannen elite op het WK wielrennen in Rwanda. Bondscoach Serge Pauwels blikt dan ook tevreden terug. Én meteen ook vooruit, want het EK komt er razendsnel aan. “Remco is nog hongerig.”

www.hln.be

Will he ever even wear the European champs jersey if he wins it? Because the worlds trumps it. Maybe he should let Almeida win this one.

 

[peterfin]

Will he ever even wear the European champs jersey if he wins it? Because the worlds trumps it. Maybe he should let Almeida win this one.

Almeida will have to wait a year. He wants to win the NC TT, EC TT and WC TT in the same year. Adding his OC TT would mean he holds all 4 at the same time.

Btw, I am pretty sure he had set his goal on winning all 6 of them this year. He was clearly very disappointed being 2nd in NC RR earlier this year. This is the kind of stuff that gives him wings. It's clear why Red Bull wants him.

 

[veganrob]

Is there an example of Pogacar and Remco going head to head, alone, out front of anyone else?

 

[Oldman]

Is there an example of Pogacar and Remco going head to head, alone, out front of anyone else?

Unfortunately those instances don't last long. Vindegaard hangs on a bit more but same result.

 

[gunara]

Remco when he finishes 2nd behind ganna on Wednesday:

'i was not at my best. The journey to get here was top long and convoluted and it impacted my sleep and my recovery. Without that I would have won'

Not everyone is Vanderlei de Lima

 

[Berniece]

Is there an example of Pogacar and Remco going head to head, alone, out front of anyone else?

No. Maybe during UEC RR we get the race that was stolen from us during the WC RR

 

[Krzysztof_O]

Euro's isn't that hard. 3400 meters of altitude, 200km's, and I'm not sure Pogacar can drop Evenepoel on Val D'Enfer because it's not that long.

I would say it's very hard and normally Pogacar should drop everyone (maybe except Vingo in Tour form but I doubt he'll be). Evenepoel can catch him later if the gap is small though.

 

[Cycling111]

"Ruined season" is strange definition for being back racing before the Tour and going balls deep in the Tour, WC after that, and then the fall classics.

How strange it is to break your ribs and complete 10 stages of the Tour and win one while Almeida can barely finish a flat stage.

Everyone believes what suits them....

 

[AmRacer]

How strange it is to break your ribs and complete 10 stages of the Tour and win one while Almeida can barely finish a flat stage.

Everyone believes what suits them....

Rogla has broken his whole body time after time, and thereafter winning the Vuelta.

 

[Red Rick]

I would say it's very hard and normally Pogacar should drop everyone (maybe except Vingo in Tour form but I doubt he'll be). Evenepoel can catch him later if the gap is small though.

Flat section is long enough that it should favor Evenepoel on the circuit as a whole. Shouldn't be any long solo shenanigans for Pogacar.

Enfer is pretty borderline, and it depends on how explosive Pogacar is at this moment. Evenepoel looks kinda big right now but this isn't the lenght of climb he struggles with even when he's full on Remcoulda shoulda laid off the burgers

Problem for Evenepoel is when you hang on you still probably lose the sprint, so in a way I'd actually think you should let him swim and try to catch him on the line if you start the final climb together.

Main wincon for Evenepoel should always be to get away between climbs, and Slovenia's team is gonna be ass without Roglic there on the one circuit where Slovenia could really use Pogacar and Roglic together.

 

[Berniece]

Flat section is long enough that it should favor Evenepoel on the circuit as a whole. Shouldn't be any long solo shenanigans for Pogacar.

Enfer is pretty borderline, and it depends on how explosive Pogacar is at this moment. Evenepoel looks kinda big right now but this isn't the lenght of climb he struggles with even when he's full on Remcoulda shoulda laid off the burgers

Problem for Evenepoel is when you hang on you still probably lose the sprint, so in a way I'd actually think you should let him swim and try to catch him on the line if you start the final climb together.

Main wincon for Evenepoel should always be to get away between climbs, and Slovenia's team is gonna be ass without Roglic there on the one circuit where Slovenia could really use Pogacar and Roglic together.

I think Pogacar is gonna go the last time they go on Saint Romain de Lerps. The race is only 200km's long, he knows the race is so much easier if the race is hard.

Evenepoel needs to try and go with Pogacar, and cook him on the flat sections. I wouldn't let him swim, because I'm not sure Evenepoel will easily drop the other riders on Enfer. Which means you might get G2 syndrome, and Pogacar does go for the solo win. If Evenepoel is able to cook him, he might be able to win the sprint from Pogacar, assuming he's explosive enough.

 

[KoopaCycling]

He'd better win the RR.

Or?