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

[red_flanders]

Interesting phenomenon watching people come to the Remco thread to pound the table for how much better Pog is.

He's literally the most dominant cyclist the vaaaast majority of us have seen in our lifetimes. He looks unbeatable. Not sure what all the defensiveness is about, the delta between him and everyone else is bigger than for any rider we've seen since Merckx. Needing to stamp out any suggestion of a competitive race...it's odd.

Gonna suggest again that maybe the sport would be more fun to watch if someone steps up and beats him at some point, in some race. Vingo in the GT's is looking less and less likely. But still possible. Remco looks as strong right now as he ever has for TT's and one-day races and sounds crazy confident. But until he wins one...who cares. If Remco does win one...who cares. It's one. Not exactly a huge rivalry.

Just enjoy it. The seeming insecurity around him is...kinda weird.

 

[Peyroteo94]

It increased a lot in 2024. Pogacar increased his w/kg efforts by 10% and his recovery is now out of this world. The difference between Remco from LBL 2022 to the giro 2023 (covid exit) and Pogacar 2023 was much closer. However I do think Remco can still close the gap if he is at his peak and in one-day races he is already close.

Is he? From what I have been watching, the difference is quite big. But maybe "being close" to you is not the same for me.

 

[Peyroteo94]

Interesting phenomenon watching people come to the Remco thread to pound the table for how much better Pog is.

He's literally the most dominant cyclist the vaaaast majority of us have seen in our lifetimes. He looks unbeatable. Not sure what all the defensiveness is about, the delta between him and everyone else is bigger than for any rider we've seen since Merckx. Needing to stamp out any suggestion of a competitive race...it's odd.

Gonna suggest again that maybe the sport would be more fun to watch if someone steps up and beats him at some point, in some race. Vingo in the GT's is looking less and less likely. But still possible. Remco looks as strong right now as he ever has for TT's and one-day races and sounds crazy confident. But until he wins one...who cares. If Remco does win one...who cares. It's one. Not exactly a huge rivalry.

Just enjoy it. The seeming insecurity around him is...kinda weird.

The funny story is all the defensiveness you talk doesn't have anything to do with Pogacar fans but with some Remco fans, who can't see actual facts/reality. In the previous post, I replied to Peterfin who said Remco was close to Pogacar in one day races. But in what world? Are you also reply to him and blame him for writing these things? Nah... You are a Remco fan, of course you will blame Pogacar fans, silly me...

 

[chickenlips]

He should have gone to the Italian races to test himself against some decent competition. He would have a chance of winning one of those, apart from Lombardia.

 

[Eddy Evenepoel]

In the previous post, I replied to Peterfin who said Remco was close to Pogacar in one day races. But in what world?

“Being close” is an subjective measuring and no matter how big you deem the gap, Remco is definitively the closest one when it comes to hilly one day races, both when it comes to results and head to head battles.

But most importantly, it’s definitively possible (and not unlogical) to argue that Pogacar is clearly the better rider, but that Remco is close. Those things are not mutually exclusive, because it’s not fixed what close means and i think it’s quite arrogant of you to act like you have the right to define what close means and make fun of people that thinks that close means something slightly different than you.

 

[BubbaChuck]

lol hate,there is no hate.probably rate remco higher,than most his fans.if we ignore early belgium hype off course .he is monster on flat,but nowhere near his tt briliance.

 

[KoopaCycling]

I've seen remco sprint against Groves, Van Aert, Pello Bilbao & Pogacar
And i've seen Pogacar sprint against Van der poel, van aert & remco

Pogacar is craftier, more cunnning. But from the outside looking in, the sprint speed is about equal.
With the sprint speed being about equal, there is no reason why i should not believe remco can not beat Pogacar in a flat sprint.

I'll give the advantage to tadej. Cause he is more cool & collected. But it ain't a given. Remco can beat tadej in a flat sprint.
Pogacar ain't Pedersen.

 

[AmRacer]

I've seen remco sprint against Groves, Van Aert, Pello Bilbao & Pogacar
And i've seen Pogacar sprint against Van der poel, van aert & remco

Pogacar is craftier, more cunnning. But from the outside looking in, the sprint speed is about equal.
With the sprint speed being about equal, there is no reason why i should not believe remco can not beat Pogacar in a flat sprint.

I'll give the advantage to tadej. Cause he is more cool & collected. But it ain't a given. Remco can beat tadej in a flat sprint.
Pogacar ain't Pedersen.

Remco cannot beat Pogi in a flat sprint, nor in any sprint.

 

[AmRacer]

“Being close” is an subjective measuring and no matter how big you deem the gap, Remco is definitively the closest one when it comes to hilly one day races, both when it comes to results and head to head battles.

But most importantly, it’s definitively possible (and not unlogical) to argue that Pogacar is clearly the better rider, but that Remco is close. Those things are not mutually exclusive, because it’s not fixed what close means and i think it’s quite arrogant of you to act like you have the right to define what close means and make fun of people that thinks that close means something slightly different than you.

Remco is no way near close, Pogi has zero problem beating Remco.

 

[Berniece]

The funny story is all the defensiveness you talk doesn't have anything to do with Pogacar fans but with some Remco fans, who can't see actual facts/reality. In the previous post, I replied to Peterfin who said Remco was close to Pogacar in one day races. But in what world? Are you also reply to him and blame him for writing these things? Nah... You are a Remco fan, of course you will blame Pogacar fans, silly me...

How many times have you seen any Evenepoel fan go to the Pogacar topic and discredit the ITT skills of Pogacar? Weren't you the one who thought Pogacar could win the WC ITT? How many people came in tried to ridicule you that the gap is HUGE, and you are crazy, or delusional, or living in an alternate reality for even thinking he had a chance?

 

[ColonelKidneyBeans]

That would suggest he could've gotten out of the saddle more frequently. I just don't buy that his saddle misaligned/settled to the degree he'd cramp without him actively requesting a teammate's bike. If the Belgian team didn't send someone, like all GT teams tend to; that is very close to the leader's bike size and position it's on the team.
I'm not saying a serious change in the saddle position wouldn't lead to cramping but pros gotta be pros and work through it. By PROS; I mean Remco and his entire team.

The name of the teammate who has a very close fit to Evenepoel is... Ilan Van Wilder, yes the same Van Wilder who had to abandon with a broken wrist during the earlier part of the race.

 

[Peyroteo94]

“Being close” is an subjective measuring and no matter how big you deem the gap, Remco is definitively the closest one when it comes to hilly one day races, both when it comes to results and head to head battles.

But most importantly, it’s definitively possible (and not unlogical) to argue that Pogacar is clearly the better rider, but that Remco is close. Those things are not mutually exclusive, because it’s not fixed what close means and i think it’s quite arrogant of you to act like you have the right to define what close means and make fun of people that thinks that close means something slightly different than you.

Being the closest to Pogacar (I definitely agree with this) doesn't mean he is actually close to Pogacar. Or does it?

And no, saying someone is close to other rider when their h2h in the last 2 years is: (see these PCS stats)

World Championships ME - Road Race 2025 One day race results

World Championships ME - Road Race 2025 was won by Tadej PogaÄar before Remco Evenepoel and Ben Healy.

www.procyclingstats.com

Liège-Bastogne-Liège 2025 One day race results

Liège-Bastogne-Liège 2025 was won by Tadej PogaÄar before Giulio Ciccone and Ben Healy.

www.procyclingstats.com

La Flèche Wallonne 2025 One day race results

La Flèche Wallonne 2025 was won by Tadej PogaÄar before Kévin Vauquelin and Thomas Pidcock.

www.procyclingstats.com

Amstel Gold Race 2025 One day race results

Amstel Gold Race 2025 was won by Mattias Skjelmose before Tadej PogaÄar and Remco Evenepoel.

www.procyclingstats.com

Il Lombardia 2024 One day race results

Il Lombardia 2024 was won by Tadej PogaÄar before Remco Evenepoel and Giulio Ciccone.

www.procyclingstats.com

Giro dell'Emilia 2024 One day race results

Giro dell'Emilia 2024 was won by Tadej PogaÄar before Thomas Pidcock and Davide Piganzoli.

www.procyclingstats.com

World Championships ME - Road Race 2024 One day race results

World Championships ME - Road Race 2024 was won by Tadej PogaÄar before Ben O'Connor and Mathieu van der Poel.

www.procyclingstats.com

7-0, 1 race was close, other 6 were total demolitions. So no, it's not arrogant to say this is not close. It is just reality. In fact it’s pretty arrogant to say this is a close competition.

 

[HashRouge]

Remco is no way near close, Pogi has zero problem beating Remco.

I'm not convinced that's due to speed as opposed to tactics though. I think Remco is fast, but his sprint technique is not great. He often tries to lead out from the front, and will do too much work in the build up to the sprint. It makes it hard to judge exactly how quick he is in sprints.

 

[AmRacer]

I'm not convinced that's due to speed as opposed to tactics though. I think Remco is fast, but his sprint technique is not great. He often tries to lead out from the front, and will do too much work in the build up to the sprint. It makes it hard to judge exactly how quick he is in sprints.

Technical, tactical, positioning, power, watts....all are part of a successful sprint. Pogi learned that RVV 2022.

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

I never said tha Lipowitz is clear 3rd, did I?
Also, 2022 was 3 years ago. How long until we stop considering 2022 as objective measurement for the GT rankings nowadays?

You are missing the point. 2022 proves that 2024 was not a one hit wonder.

 

[red_flanders]

The funny story is all the defensiveness you talk doesn't have anything to do with Pogacar fans but with some Remco fans, who can't see actual facts/reality. In the previous post, I replied to Peterfin who said Remco was close to Pogacar in one day races. But in what world? Are you also reply to him and blame him for writing these things? Nah... You are a Remco fan, of course you will blame Pogacar fans, silly me...

I'll strongly disagree on a couple points.

• The reaction of some posters to the mere suggestion that another rider might be able to compete, on some level, in limited fashion "doesn't have anything to do with Pogacar fans"? That is objectively false. Reactions are owned by the person reacting. I guess my suggestion is just maybe ignore what you see as a lack of reality on the part of Remco fans. I mean who cares? Your guy is head and shoulders above the rest. You can't let any suggestion that he might not be go? Really? Why not just laugh?
  
  
• "You're a Remco fan". Yep. I'm also a Pogi fan. Everyone doesn't fit into these silly buckets. Some of us just like good, competitive racing between a couple of guys who ride with passion and animate the sport. The fan bucket POV is divisive, often wrong, and just devolves into pissing contests.

YMMV.

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

Being the closest to Pogacar (I definitely agree with this) doesn't mean he is actually close to Pogacar. Or does it?

And no, saying someone is close to other rider when their h2h in the last 2 years is: (see these PCS stats)

World Championships ME - Road Race 2025 One day race results

World Championships ME - Road Race 2025 was won by Tadej PogaÄar before Remco Evenepoel and Ben Healy.

www.procyclingstats.com

Liège-Bastogne-Liège 2025 One day race results

Liège-Bastogne-Liège 2025 was won by Tadej PogaÄar before Giulio Ciccone and Ben Healy.

www.procyclingstats.com

La Flèche Wallonne 2025 One day race results

La Flèche Wallonne 2025 was won by Tadej PogaÄar before Kévin Vauquelin and Thomas Pidcock.

www.procyclingstats.com

Amstel Gold Race 2025 One day race results

Amstel Gold Race 2025 was won by Mattias Skjelmose before Tadej PogaÄar and Remco Evenepoel.

www.procyclingstats.com

Il Lombardia 2024 One day race results

Il Lombardia 2024 was won by Tadej PogaÄar before Remco Evenepoel and Giulio Ciccone.

www.procyclingstats.com

Giro dell'Emilia 2024 One day race results

Giro dell'Emilia 2024 was won by Tadej PogaÄar before Thomas Pidcock and Davide Piganzoli.

www.procyclingstats.com

World Championships ME - Road Race 2024 One day race results

World Championships ME - Road Race 2024 was won by Tadej PogaÄar before Ben O'Connor and Mathieu van der Poel.

www.procyclingstats.com

7-0, 1 race was close, other 6 were total demolitions. So no, it's not arrogant to say this is not close. It is just reality. In fact it’s pretty arrogant to say this is a close competition.

How convenient and totally unexpected that you count the races where Evenepoel clearly was not in top form to prove your point, leaving out those where Pogacar was not in form, like ECC RR 2021, CSS 2019 and CSS 2022. What a shocker.

 

[red_flanders]

Remco cannot beat Pogi in a flat sprint, nor in any sprint.

Cannot? Hmmm...I've seen him beat Bilbao and Van Aert, two guys I thought would for sure smoke him in the finale. He's got a decent sprint and he can tire people out.

IF Remco gets to the end of a race with Pogi, I'm betting on Pogi. But I'm not betting my house.

 

[AmRacer]

You are missing the point. 2022 proves that 2024 was not a one hit wonder.

Let see how 2026 will be, need one more to have a pattern.

 

[AmRacer]

Cannot? Hmmm...I've seen him beat Bilbao and Van Aert, two guys I thought would for sure smoke him in the finale. He's got a decent sprint and he can tire people out.

IF Remco gets to the end of a race with Pogi, I'm betting on Pogi. But I'm not betting my house.

Wout was not at his best this year. Pogi can beat Mathieu in a flat sprint, some day.

 

[red_flanders]

Wout was not at his best this year. Pogi can beat Mathieu in a flat sprint, some day.

Sure, Wout was not his best. Sure, Pogi has beaten Mathieu in a sprint when Mathieu is smoked and exhausted.

You thought Remco was gonna beat Wout in that sprint? I didn't. Remco didn't. I didn't think he'd beat Bilbao at San Sebastian, that guy has a sprint. Remco can surprise.

Nothing you're saying in the post quoted here is wrong. But nothing you're saying addresses my point that saying he "cannot" beat Pogi in a sprint might just be...a wee bit hyperbolic. For sure Pogi has a better sprint. It's not unbeatable.

 

[Peyroteo94]

How convenient and totally unexpected that you count the races where Evenepoel clearly was not in top form to prove your point, leaving out those where Pogacar was not in form, like ECC RR 2021, CSS 2019 and CSS 2022. What a shocker.

Can you read last 2 years? when you say Remco is the third best GT rider, you also count the last 6 years? I remember seeing Roglic winning 5 GTs... hum, I smell some hypocrisy here...

 

[kingjr]

Remco cannot beat Pogi in a flat sprint, nor in any sprint.

If Vingegaard can...

 

[Peyroteo94]

If Vingegaard can...

I remember Vingegaard beating Remco multiple times this year in a sprint

 

[AmRacer]

Sure, Wout was not his best. Sure, Pogi has beaten Mathieu in a sprint when Mathieu is smoked and exhausted.

You thought Remco was gonna beat Wout in that sprint? I didn't. Remco didn't. I didn't think he'd beat Bilbao at San Sebastian, that guy has a sprint. Remco can surprise.

Nothing you're saying in the post quoted here is wrong. But nothing you're saying addresses my point that saying he "cannot" beat Pogi in a sprint might just be...a wee bit hyperbolic. For sure Pogi has a better sprint. It's not unbeatable.

Of course Remco did believe. Like I said, Pogi can beat Mathieu in a flat sprint some day.