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

[Berniece]

I think Lipo will either go to Suisse and Remco to Dauphiné or vice versa.

Would make more sense to both ride Dauphine as prep for shared leadership at TDF

 

[vappaxbipmv]

The early TTT is mostly as a prep for the TTT in the TDF. Which makes sense

Sure but more than 5 months in advance? A bit early because every single rider that will be in that TTT might have to skip the Tour for whatever reason

 

[KoopaCycling]

How many TTT are there, some prep better than none i guess.

Reading between the lines after watching an interview, methinks Remco initially wanted to ride the Giro (and Tour) but the team decided against that. Preferring a more normal run-up to the Tour.

 

[Mayomaniac]

Reigning olympic champion in the road race, former world champion in the road race, double monument winner, but instead of doing some big classics like sanremo, Flanders, they will have him on a volcano and then doing catalunya and liege only. What is this Mickey mouse schedule man.

He turned pro at 18, he's not going to peak at 35 like fulgsang or ritchie porte. They can't keep hiding him from races.

Also they will send him to Valencia, that's supposed to be a big battle between mcnutly, buitrago, vlasov, Bilbao, Lenny martinez etc. one of the best races of the year and now Remco will ruin it.

Bora also gave a rubbish schedule to Roglic. Why does this team hate cycling fans man

They kept the important races for Hindley and Pellizzari, so I'll cut them some slack.

 

[Berniece]

Sure but more than 5 months in advance? A bit early because every single rider that will be in that TTT might have to skip the Tour for whatever reason

There aren’t many options to test this in race. I also don’t know why it’s an issue if you are racing Valencia a couple of days later too.

 

[Berniece]

Reading between the lines after watching an interview, methinks Remco initially wanted to ride the Giro (and Tour) but the team decided against that. Preferring a more normal run-up to the Tour.

Seems they decided against everything he wanted really. Sure he gets to race some nice stuff, but anything out of the ordinary like more monuments or Giro was decided against.

It’s a safe but boring option of the team

 

[vappaxbipmv]

There aren’t many options to test this in race. I also don’t know why it’s an issue if you are racing Valencia a couple of days later too.

It's not an issue, I just think it's pointless to do a preparation race for another race that's 5 months later

 

[Berniece]

It's not an issue, I just think it's pointless to do a preparation race for another race that's 5 months later

Yeah, I would assume between dauphine and TDF start they'll do a whole day at a track anyway to work on it too

 

[vappaxbipmv]

Yeah, I would assume between dauphine and TDF start they'll do a whole day at a track anyway to work on it too

Yeah, exactly. They will train it close to the Tour, with the team that's actually confirmed for the Tour. Doing it in January is questionable at best

 

[Oldman]

I prefer a more tightly packed schedule, even whilst knowing that's impossible these days and riders have to peak.
Having said that's it feels very light. Main focus on stage races barely any 1 day races and only those with a hilly profile. If this means Remco will become a(n even) better stage racer as a result it's good news. If he does not become better, his one day race hopefuls will find little joy in this.

I don't think he'll ride PN or Tirreno.
I do think he'll either ride Dauphiné or Suisse. I think that is the altitude + stagerace there is still room for to add that is being mentioned. (could be wrong)

I understand they want to keep it safe. But it seems to me they also decided to divide the stage races between their 3 main riders. Whilst also taking into consideration Hindley, Vlasov, Peli.

Roglic will be doing 3 outta the 7 main single week WT stage races. Lipo will probably ride PN then.
I think Lipo will either go to Suisse and Remco to Dauphiné or vice versa.

No doubt some fall races will be added as well.

Also whilst remco may feel no pressure, he'll be needing to race well to justify his status. Less he falls behind in the pecking order. I don't see that happening (him losing his status) but he can't have a bad season.

All in all though, it might actually be a smart program, even if it's not the program we as fans want.

He should do the Dauphine. The competition is good and climbing provides a great fitness confirmation with some time to adjust and recover.

 

[HashRouge]

I was a bit disappointed to see he's not doing MSR or Flanders, but now I've thought about it a bit more it does make sense. Given his issues with crashed the last two seasons, I suspect they want to play it save a little bit and give him the chance to have a really optimum run up to the Tour. I know we all say he can't beat Pogacar or Vingegaard, but I do understand why he'd want to have a shot with absolutely perfect preparation.

 

[RobertCrawley]

Does a double leadership approach ever really work?

Remco Evenepoel détaille le choix de son calendrier et du binôme avec Florian Lipowitz sur le Tour de France : « Un double leadership, c'est excitant »
https://www.lequipe.fr/Cyclisme-sur...e-un-double-leadership-c-est-excitant/1616023

 

[KoopaCycling]

Does a double leadership approach ever really work?

It does. But rarely. Much depends on how the races evolves, understanding, ...
I'm thinking Sastre, Schlecks mostly. Ullrich & Kloden also worked.
Roglic & Vingegaard also worked (cause Roglic after his crash was a clear 2nd option).

I do think there tends to be a clear indication of 1A en 1B in the duo's that worked.

 

[Eddy Evenepoel]

Carapaz and Landa in the 2019 Giro did work very well.

 

[Shortcut]

I was a bit disappointed to see he's not doing MSR or Flanders, but now I've thought about it a bit more it does make sense. Given his issues with crashed the last two seasons, I suspect they want to play it save a little bit and give him the chance to have a really optimum run up to the Tour. I know we all say he can't beat Pogacar or Vingegaard, but I do understand why he'd want to have a shot with absolutely perfect preparation.

I am disappointed because i find Remco as super interesting rider and fun to watch at one day classics. I guess it makes sense to go after TdF now since he should be in his prime.

 

[Berniece]

Does a double leadership approach ever really work?

It does, but both riders need to dare to take risks and ride for a team win and not personal victory. Just following UAE/Visma won't get you a win. Waiting until stage 19-20 also doesn't get them a win. But I suspect we'll see just that. First 2-3 weeks they'll just follow and won't do anything special until the last 2 mountain stages.

 

[KoopaCycling]

It does, but both riders need to dare to take risks and ride for a team win and not personal victory. Just following UAE/Visma won't get you a win. Waiting until stage 19-20 also doesn't get them a win. But I suspect we'll see just that. First 2-3 weeks they'll just follow and won't do anything special until the last 2 mountain stages.

The legs need to permit for more. Unless you're okay with blowing up one person so the other can take advantage.
Similar to it was okay for Roglic to destroy himself cause he was in truth out of the race, but Pogacar failed to realise that.

 

[vappaxbipmv]

It does, but both riders need to dare to take risks and ride for a team win and not personal victory. Just following UAE/Visma won't get you a win. Waiting until stage 19-20 also doesn't get them a win. But I suspect we'll see just that. First 2-3 weeks they'll just follow and won't do anything special until the last 2 mountain stages.

At least 1 one the 2 has to be very close to the level to win 1v1. Like in 2022 TdF, Jonas was as good if not better than Pogacar. Remco and Lipowitz can't beat him because they aren't there

 

[Berniece]

The legs need to permit for more. Unless you're okay with blowing up one person so the other can take advantage.
Similar to it was okay for Roglic to destroy himself cause he was in truth out of the race, but Pogacar failed to realise that.

You don't always know beforehand if your legs will permit more. That's where the risk is. You attack from afar, hoping that you are able to make it to the end. So yes, they need to take the risk of blowing up.

 

[Berniece]

At least 1 one the 2 has to be very close to the level to win 1v1. Like in 2022 TdF, Jonas was as good if not better than Pogacar. Remco and Lipowitz can't beat him because they aren't there

I would hope they are able to close the gap a bit when Evenepoel has a normal build up, and Lipowitz gets better due to his age.

 

[Cycling111]

In 2024, he was better prepared than Vingegaard and still wasn't at his level.

Remco has never had such a high base level in GT; think it's all due to bad luck is wishful thinking.

 

[Berniece]

In 2024, he was better prepared than Vingegaard and still wasn't at his level.

Remco has never had such a high base level in GT; think it's all due to bad luck is wishful thinking.

Because everything always just stays the same. People can't improve anymore, and everyone reached their full potential.

 

[peterfin]

In 2024, he was better prepared than Vingegaard and still wasn't at his level.

Remco has never had such a high base level in GT; think it's all due to bad luck is wishful thinking.

He never had his best base level yet for the TdF. That's a fact that doesn't depend on Vingegaard.

 

[Barkintheeye]

There hasn't been many great cyclists then ...

Exactly that. If the ambition is to be among Merckx, Hinault and Coppi you not only need to win the big GTs but also many (all) of the Monuments along with WCs. Only rider today that might pull this off is TP. Remco, not so very much, despite having some amazing qualities.

 

[KoopaCycling]

I will say it would be fun to see a marauder style Remco try and win a GT. Probably not realistic but fun