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

[Red Rick]

All makes sense except the ego part, which seems silly. This race isn't really one he can win with his capabilities, why would his ego be bruised? Odd.

Is he citing "crashing, fatigue, or ego hurt"? If not, they're not "excuses". They're just speculation by fans. As far as I've heard, the team has cited "recovery", which makes sense, particularly since FW was never on his schedule.

This has a near zero chance of success in this race.

I think skipping FW is a marginal benefit at most.

If it was a race more like Brabantse Pijl and he was one of the big favorites for it, do you think he would also skip it?

 

[red_flanders]

I think skipping FW is a marginal benefit at most.

If it was a race more like Brabantse Pijl and he was one of the big favorites for it, do you think he would also skip it?

You mean if BP was on a Wednesday? No. I mean...he did skip it but obviously it's a race he likes and is basically in his back yard.

Agree it's marginal or thereabouts. Also makes sense not to race it, just lowers risk if nothing else. There are several reasons why it was never in his schedule. No real benefit and a drain on the team as well as him. But again, agree that it's not make or break either way. I just don't get why so much debate about a mid-week race which was never on his schedule.

 

[Red Rick]

You mean if BP was on a Wednesday? No. I mean...he did skip it but obviously it's a race he likes and is basically in his back yard.

Agree it's marginal or thereabouts. Also makes sense not to race it, just lowers risk if nothing else. There are several reasons why it was never in his schedule. No real benefit and a drain on the team as well as him. But again, agree that it's not make or break either way. I just don't get why so much debate about a mid-week race which was never on his schedule.

I meant a race more suited to Evenepoel but had the prestige of Fleche rather than BP.

 

[Taxus4a]

I think skipping FW is a marginal benefit at most.

If it was a race more like Brabantse Pijl and he was one of the big favorites for it, do you think he would also skip it?

Yes, this sunday is an historical race, it is the race to see if Pogacar is better than Remco for a race as Liege, the classic with more TDF winners has raced, the Doyenne.

 

[red_flanders]

I meant a race more suited to Evenepoel but had the prestige of Fleche rather than BP.

I mean...it seems fairly obvious that he'd be somewhat more likely to do a hypothetical race which had a bit more prestige and suited Remco and RBH better. But...that doesn't exist, so...🤷‍♂️

 

[AlpRaid]

Seixas looking crazy. him and Pogacar will have a field day on sunday.
Maybe Remco can get lucky and find them looking at each other.
Though the more likely scenario is them (seixas and pogacar) riding away together.

he dropped Schmidt and Cosnefoy by 3 seconds. Remco left them for 2 mins at Amstel. Different races, for sure, but I think it's a tad early to jump to conclusions.

I expect Pog to win (easily).

Remco and Seixas to be perhaps in a battle.

 

[houtdffan]

he dropped Schmidt and Cosnefoy by 3 seconds. Remco left them for 2 mins at Amstel. Different races, for sure, but I think it's a tad early to jump to conclusions.

I expect Pog to win (easily).

Remco and Seixas to be perhaps in a battle.

Think we see a repeat of last years ECRR

Pog solo
Remco solo -30s
dribs and drabs around 4 minutes

I don't see Pog and Remco waiting until Redoutte. They may go from 100K

 

[Coppi-Bartali]

Think we see a repeat of last years ECRR

Pog solo
Remco solo -30s
dribs and drabs around 4 minutes

I don't see Pog and Remco waiting until Redoutte. They may go from 100K

I see UAE as weaker than ever. Only Cosnefroy seems to be in form, and these days, before the Ardennes he's not. Right now, it's just him and Vermeersch.

I see a similar scenario as in WC and ECC. Pogacar won't have much support from his team, so either Red Bull will take the lead, or the Slovenian will have to attack before Redoutte if he wants a truly tough race.

 

[Berniece]

he dropped Schmidt and Cosnefoy by 3 seconds. Remco left them for 2 mins at Amstel. Different races, for sure, but I think it's a tad early to jump to conclusions.

I expect Pog to win (easily).

Remco and Seixas to be perhaps in a battle.

I also don’t see Seixas dropping Evenepoel based on what we have seen so far this season from both.

 

[Krzysztof_O]

I also don’t see Seixas dropping Evenepoel based on what we have seen so far this season from both.

Seixas easily won:
1) After uphill murito finish (yesterday)
2) After a few hard days racing in Basque Country
3) After a long solo in Drome-Ardeche

The kiddo's victories are impressive and diverse this spring. He's not a one trick pony and can excel in various situations and on various climbs. He's a phenom and w/kg wise he's above Evenepoel now. Evenepoel should count on his engine simply being better in a long, hilly race like Liege. But I'm not 100% it's the case. How Seixas handles such a long race is to be seen but in Strade he showed no signs of crisis (this one will be harder though).