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

[Oldermanish]

Topic starter isn't Belgian. Red Flanders isn't Belgian. Big Doopie isn't Belgian. Shadow isn't Belgian... i think you'd be surprised by the amount of big posters in this thread, who aren't Belgian.
Most of the hate brigade isn't Belgian, and i'd wager they take up 33% of posts in the thread as well. Maybe now that he has proven he might someday win a big race against good competition, some of the endless debate will fade away. However, obviously we still don't know if he can climb.

Thanks for the citizenship tour. Remco definitely inspires zealous response from all corners and you're correct; as he continues to progress the debatable elements and comments will slow down.
I am surprised at how heated people get about kids riding bikes. Anyone can do it, can't they?

 

[Andre]

i wish I were Belgian. Does that count for anything?

I even chose Belgian nationality for my avatar on Zwift!!

You are herewith (that's a funny word) 100% Belgian.

 

[red_flanders]

i wish I were Belgian. Does that count for anything?

I even chose Belgian nationality for my avatar on Zwift!!

As long as you "Ride like a Flandrien" you're in!

 

[Andre]

As long as you "Ride like a Flandrien" you're in!

WHAT IS A FLANDRIEN?

Well-documented routes, challenging lists and dozen of top-notch cycling spots.

www.cyclinginflanders.cc

 

[pman]

Yeah I don't think a TTT will entice Remco. A TTT really just helps Jumbo. Now an unexpected 40K or 50k mountain time trial might get his attention. However we all know that is highly unlikely. It's about as likely as a stage 21 ITT, which might also get Remco to try the Tour.

 

[LesDiablesRouges]

i wish I were Belgian. Does that count for anything?

I even chose Belgian nationality for my avatar on Zwift!!

It's all fun and gmes until you have to vote in a Belgian election. Thank god they took away the mandatory requirement for citizens outside Belgium.

I'm like a demi-Belgian. still learning Flemish and Brusseleir (a nearly dead language).

 

[Extinction]

It's just a shame that, as regards the TTT, with the exorbitant costs of equipment today and the need to corner the market on powerhouse riders to literally dominate, results have become too heavily skewed in favor of team budgets. My two cents. I'd thus rather see the long ITTs (50+ km) come back into vogue, because, even if the equipment factor still stands, at least the established time gaps in the struggle amongst GC contenders are much more a reflection of individual abilities rather than collective team strengths or weaknesses. And since the final GC is based on an individual's accumulated times, not that of the team's, this seems more equitable to me.

 

[Oldermanish]

It's just a shame that, as regards the TTT, with the exorbitant costs of equipment today and the need to corner the market on powerhouse riders to literally dominate, results have become too heavily skewed in favor of team budgets. My two cents. I'd thus rather see the long ITTs (50+ km) come back into vogue, because, even if the equipment factor still stands, at least the established time gaps in the struggle amongst GC contenders are much more a reflection of individual abilities rather than collective team strengths or weaknesses. And since the final GC is based on an individual's accumulated times, not that of the team's, this seems more equitable to me.

I've always loved the TTT but the event certainly does put the lesser funded teams behind if the race has any length. It's a great prologue event to start the Tour but the tougher ITT is the truest test.

 

[Extinction]

I've always loved the TTT but the event certainly does put the lesser funded teams behind if the race has any length. It's a great prologue event to start the Tour but the tougher ITT is the truest test.

Oh, they're beautiful to watch, but let's keep them brief, otherwise the balance of power and thus time gained tips too heavily in favor of leaders of big budget teams.

 

[spalco]

Yeah I don't think a TTT will entice Remco. A TTT really just helps Jumbo. Now an unexpected 40K or 50k mountain time trial might get his attention. However we all know that is highly unlikely. It's about as likely as a stage 21 ITT, which might also get Remco to try the Tour.

What's the objective difference between a stage 20 and a stage 21 ITT really?

I generally agree with those who say "strike while the iron is hot", you never know how many chances you'll get as a professional athlete, so I'm on team Remco for the Tour. But if he wants another year to tackle it, I'd understand it also.

 

[Red Rick]

All the messaging about not waitong for the parcours and all that suggests to me he's going to the Giro

 

[gregrowlerson]

Giro it is then.

 

[IndianCyclist]

So little TT in TDF means Giro for Remco

 

[jimmy_8888888]

Giro is already given well before today TdF route announcement. Press just wanted to create speculations about whether or not Remco will go to TdF as Leferve already said no to TdF 2023, and 2024 is a go (if Leferve can be trust).

 

[18-Valve. (pithy)]

https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/lefevere-refuses-to-reveal-if-evenepoel-will-target-the-2023-tour-de-france/

This is getting silly at this point.

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/lefevere-refuses-to-reveal-if-evenepoel-will-target-the-2023-tour-de-france/

This is getting silly at this point.

Lefevere today: "We will not decide today, absolutely not."
Evenepoel last week: "We already decided but won't tell."

 

[rghysens]

Lefevere today: "We will not decide today, absolutely not."
Evenepoel last week: "We already decided but won't tell."

So? If they already decided last week or before, they don´t decide today.

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

So? If they already decided last week or before, they don´t decide today.

That much is true, but that doesn't fit the context in which he said it. Which was that they will take their time and decide at some point in the future.

 

[IndianCyclist]

Lefevere is waiting for RCS to increase the appearance fee

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

Lefevere is waiting for RCS to increase the appearance fee

After the TDF reveal, the price just went down.

 

[stekelegel]

i wish I were Belgian. Does that count for anything?

I even chose Belgian nationality for my avatar on Zwift!!

as a Belgian I can only say you should have a mental exam. Maybe North Korea might be worse, but this country is non functioning in so many ways, we just need a doctor to switch of life support, put out the lights and close the door;

on topic: despite the many reasons why remco should not ride the tour (lefevre, it was always the plan to ride the giro first, the team not strong enough, the 2023 route of the tour, ....) there are two big reasons why he will ride it anyway: 1. the plan: He wants to win the olympic ITT in 2024, but it will be hard competing with Ganna etc just 10 days after finishing the tour 2024. Ride 2024 giro and then prepare for Paris . 2. his ambition to be the best, and that you can only do by winning the tour.

 

[tobydawq]

as a Belgian I can only say you should have a mental exam. Maybe North Korea might be worse, but this country is non functioning in so many ways, we just need a doctor to switch of life support, put out the lights and close the door;

Wauw.

 

[QueenStagiaire]

Wauw.

That‘s a very belgian way to say wow; do you want to change your nationality too?

 

[tobydawq]

That‘s a very belgian way to say wow; do you want to change your nationality too?

Well, I am learning both Dutch and French on Duolingo, so I think I would fit right in.

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

Wauw.

Now his previous posts make sense.