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

[Logic-is-your-friend]

Interview leading up to today's race in Argentina... it's in Dutch:

https://sporza.be/nl/2019/01/27/remco-evenepoel-is-klaar-voor-zijn-debuut-in-argentinie-grenze/

He wants to follow the big guys as long as possible in the only uphill stage. Push his boundaries. He's even dreaming about the Olympics in 2020.

 

[18-Valve. (pithy)]

First important test today. Not quite Mur de Huy territory, and no hilltop finish, either, but if he doesn't get dropped in the last lap then expectations will be through the roof for the remainder of the race, IMO, as I don't think they'll soft pedal this one.

 

[Flamin]

I'd be surprised if he isn't up there with the best (bar Alaphilippe).

 

[Bolder]

"I didn’t crash and so that’s a success for me. I had a difficult moment early on but I avoided crashing by making a weird move. I was also in the echelons a little bit later on. I’m happy; the racing was actually more relaxed than with the juniors I’ve raced against.

"I rode in the first 20 all day. I think Sagan must have seen that too because he made me a compliment. That is motivating for the next few days."

Interesting point in today's story that Pozzato was perhaps the last junior sensation to turn pro at 18 and have a successful career, however you measure it. Honestly if Remco can survive the pressure with his head intact it would be beating the odds, let alone becoming a superstar. Just read a fascinating story in The New York Times about the figure skater Gracie Gold who suffered from crippling depression at age 20.

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

Re:

I'd be surprised if he isn't up there with the best (bar Alaphilippe).

Steep uphill sprints (short but steep climbs) aren't really his thing. But i think these climbs are only 8% grades, so it probably shouldn't be a problem. Just remember that he's always had to pedal a smaller gear, and when the pros rush up on a large gear, i'm not sure what to expect yet.

 

[Red Rick]

Re: Re:

I'd be surprised if he isn't up there with the best (bar Alaphilippe).

Steep uphill sprints (short but steep climbs) aren't really his thing. But i think these climbs are only 8% grades, so it probably shouldn't be a problem. Just remember that he's always had to pedal a smaller gear, and when the pros rush up on a large gear, i'm not sure what to expect yet.

That's never beem a problem while riding uphil

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

Re: Re:

I'd be surprised if he isn't up there with the best (bar Alaphilippe).

Steep uphill sprints (short but steep climbs) aren't really his thing. But i think these climbs are only 8% grades, so it probably shouldn't be a problem. Just remember that he's always had to pedal a smaller gear, and when the pros rush up on a large gear, i'm not sure what to expect yet.

That's never beem a problem while riding uphil

What are you talking about exactly? Riding a small gear for a short steep climb, will get you up there just as fast as the guys pushing a big gear? I'm specifically talking about a short + steep climb, where puncheurs like Alaphilippe will blow you away, i'm not talking about a long climb 30-60 minute effort. We've already established from the juniors, that he can't make a jump in order to drop the other juniors, but that he has to make it a long effort. In fact, that when guys like Vacek jump for a short uphill attack, that he has difficulties following him.

 

[Red Rick]

You made it sound like gear restrictions were an issue uphill, which they're not.

 

[Salvarani]

Re:

"I didn’t crash and so that’s a success for me. I had a difficult moment early on but I avoided crashing by making a weird move. I was also in the echelons a little bit later on. I’m happy; the racing was actually more relaxed than with the juniors I’ve raced against.

"I rode in the first 20 all day. I think Sagan must have seen that too because he made me a compliment. That is motivating for the next few days."

Interesting point in today's story that Pozzato was perhaps the last junior sensation to turn pro at 18 and have a successful career, however you measure it. Honestly if Remco can survive the pressure with his head intact it would be beating the odds, let alone becoming a superstar. Just read a fascinating story in The New York Times about the figure skater Gracie Gold who suffered from crippling depression at age 20.

A lot of people coming through at an early age that become super stars often peak too early and then fade away early also. Mostly due to things in their personal life and dealing with fame and so on.

A lot of success stories too of course though. Hopefully thats what will happen for Remco.

Im almost hoping he doesnt actually start winning and beating all the pros right away though, and just shows glimpses of his potential and getting some nice placings and performances here and there. Then maybe next year, really getting on it and start winning a couple of races. But hey, if he is already on a high level that he can beat the pros then so be it.

 

[Jancouver]

Re:

You made it sound like gear restrictions were an issue uphill, which they're not.

You are correct, junior gear is 52x14 so it is not like the big boys are using 53x11 on 8% climbs so his junior gear would only be an issue if they are doing some really high speeds on flat roads with a tailwind.

Geez, even some pros are using compact gears for steep stages at the grand tours.

So the logic is not his friend in that post.

 

[Vroome.exe]

It's not because of gear restrictions in juniors, it's just his style to use small gear and he's not gonna change that. It's very likely he will get dropped on steep finishes just because of that.

 

[tobydawq]

Re:

It's not because of gear restrictions in juniors, it's just his style to use small gear and he's not gonna change that. It's very likely he will get dropped on steep finishes just because of that.

No.

It's possible he will get dropped because he doesn't have the legs to follow, certainly not because he is riding too small a gear...

When was the last time you saw a rider desperately spinning his legs with 180 rpm and getting dropped from a group because he was at maximal cadence?

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

Re: Re:

You made it sound like gear restrictions were an issue uphill, which they're not.

You are correct, junior gear is 52x14 so it is not like the big boys are using 53x11 on 8% climbs so his junior gear would only be an issue if they are doing some really high speeds on flat roads with a tailwind.

Geez, even some pros are using compact gears for steep stages at the grand tours.

So the logic is not his friend in that post.

Reading comprehension isn't his and your friend in your posts. I never said anything about restricted gears. Remco pushes a small gear uphill, and has stated that he will continue to do so also as a pro. He even got the same advice as QS, that he shouldn't change his style. Even at the juniors it wasn't an issue to push a bigger gear had he wanted to, because the normal gears for flat roads would be more than big enough to go uphill. So obviously his climbing style (small gear, high cadance) has nothing to do with restricted gears at the juniors.

You made it sound like gear restrictions were an issue uphill, which they're not.

No i did not.

No.

It's possible he will get dropped because he doesn't have the legs to follow, certainly not because he is riding too small a gear...

When was the last time you saw a rider desperately spinning his legs with 180 rpm and getting dropped from a group because he was at maximal cadence?

When guys like Alaphilipe, or Gilbert in his better days, push the big gears uphill for 1k, then even the best Contador couldn't follow, max cadance or not.

 

[tobydawq]

Re: Re:

You made it sound like gear restrictions were an issue uphill, which they're not.

You are correct, junior gear is 52x14 so it is not like the big boys are using 53x11 on 8% climbs so his junior gear would only be an issue if they are doing some really high speeds on flat roads with a tailwind.

Geez, even some pros are using compact gears for steep stages at the grand tours.

So the logic is not his friend in that post.

Reading comprehension isn't his and your friend in your posts. I never said anything about restricted gears. Remco pushes a small gear uphill, and has stated that he will continue to do so also as a pro. He even got the same advice as QS, that he shouldn't change his style. Even at the juniors it wasn't an issue to push a bigger gear had he wanted to, because the normal gears for flat roads would be more than big enough to go uphill. So obviously his climbing style (small gear, high cadance) has nothing to do with restricted gears at the juniors.

You made it sound like gear restrictions were an issue uphill, which they're not.

No i did not.

No.

It's possible he will get dropped because he doesn't have the legs to follow, certainly not because he is riding too small a gear...

When was the last time you saw a rider desperately spinning his legs with 180 rpm and getting dropped from a group because he was at maximal cadence?

When guys like Alaphilipe, or Gilbert in his better days, push the big gears uphill for 1k, then even the best Contador couldn't follow, max cadance or not.

No but that's because he doesn't have the anaerobic capacity, not because he can't shift into an appropriate gearing.

 

[Red Rick]

Never mind. Explosivity issue, can't produce the force for the bigger gear, I agree.

 

[armchairclimber]

OK, so now we know he can play quite happily with the big boys.

 

[RedheadDane]

I just love the fact that they call him the "baby pup".
Guess with his age it was bound to happen, no the question he when he'll be considered old enough to not be called that.

 

[Koronin]

Re:

I just love the fact that they call him the "baby pup".
Guess with his age it was bound to happen, no the question he when he'll be considered old enough to not be called that.

Maybe after he turns 21?

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

Re:

He said about the final of the second day in San Juan: "The toughest kilometer of my life".

As for his first two days as a pro, i'm quite happy with his performance. Always alert at the front of the peloton. Occasionally doing some work. No issues of "getting blown out the back" as some feared would happen once he joined the pros. Seems pretty fresh at the finishline as well. Still short stages ofcourse, but he's doing well so far.

EDIT: he gets to wear the "best young rider" jersey after his second day.

I just love the fact that they call him the "baby pup".
Guess with his age it was bound to happen, no the question he when he'll be considered old enough to not be called that.

Lampaert calls him "Eddy".

Maybe he would have liked the ITT to be a bit longer. Maybe 5K or so.

Well, he confirmed it in a Sporza interview: "Ik had graag gehad dat het nog iets langer zou zijn dan 12 kilometer, maar je moet het nemen zoals het is. Het is ook niet met een tijdritfiets, maar dat is voor iedereen hetzelfde. Ik kijk er wel naar uit. Het wordt een eerste test om te zien hoe hard ik kan gaan tegenover de profs."

Translation: "I would have liked it to be a bit longer than 12 kilometers, but it is what it is. Also, it's not on a timetrial bike, but that applies to everyone. I'm looking forward to it, though. It'll be a first test to see how hard i can go, compared to the pros."

Introducing video (English) from last week: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJPlXf5L3u4

 

[Flamin]

I have yet to see the finish but this is what could have been expected. Up their with the better riders, but obviously not able to compete for the stage on such an explosive/raw power finale. I'm still going with a top-5 spot (thereabouts) in the ITT like I said before the race.

 

[pastronef]

Remco (2nd from left) better not learn some of the wolfpack antics

https://twitter.com/petercossins/status/1090160110968733701

 

[18-Valve. (pithy)]

Re:

Remco (2nd from left) better not learn some of the wolfpack antics

https://twitter.com/petercossins/status/1090160110968733701

Best that it happens now, rather than 4 years in his pro career, like Sagan on the RvV podium... which was worse than what Keisse did.

At least it looks like Keisse can continue, so no extra time on the front for R.EV. Could still go for a good GC result.

Also interesting to see how he'll perform at altitude. Probably not an issue.

I have yet to see the finish but this is what could have been expected. Up their with the better riders, but obviously not able to compete for the stage on such an explosive/raw power finale. I'm still going with a top-5 spot (thereabouts) in the ITT like I said before the race.

Same. Not sure how big of a factor the road bikes will be in today's result. Probably better for guys like Alaphilippe than for Evenepoel and the few (two?) TT specialists.

 

[hrotha]

I guess it not happening at all ever wasn't on the table?

 

[18-Valve. (pithy)]

Re:

I guess it not happening at all ever wasn't on the table?

Let's just say I'm not surprised that he took part in it.

And I was wrong: what Keisse did is probably way worse than what Sagan did. I just read the waitress's statement. WTF. According to Quickstep there was no physical contact involved, but that doesn't seem likely, at all.

 

[Flamin]

Re: Re:

I guess it not happening at all ever wasn't on the table?

Let's just say I'm not surprised that he took part in it.

Not sure I follow you here. You mean Evenepoel "took part in it"?