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

[KZD]

Great post.

He still remains the clear favorite for both races whether he wants to downplay it or not. Which is just the wise thing to do as you say.

If all goes well in the preparation and he naturally evolves like a lot of people has said that he will do, I dont see how he could be able to lose the Giro at least. It would be a great upset if he did lose and according to plan if he does.

Giro is one of the greatest races on the calendar, so I am hoping there will at least be someone that is able to challenge but I doubt it. His to lose in my opinion, unless something unexpected happens.

I like Remco a lot but he can't be the clear favourite for LBL with Pogačar there and neither he can be for the Giro with Roglič there.

 

[Salvarani]

I seem to remember Roglic, when he came into form a bit during the Vuelta, definitely being able to challenge Evenepoel. You expect that now he's specifically gearing toward the Giro, and hopefully starting fit rather than just returning from injury, he's suddenly a lot worse?

I dont really know. People has said Roglic is old and that he has been sidelined for a few months during the off-season is probably not ideal. He will play catch-up to get into form before the Giro. We saw how that went for Evenepole in 2021, but Roglic is Roglic and it may be different for him.

Remco with another year and improving even more, as multiple people has said he will, should easily beat him but that is something we will only get the answer to once the race takes place.

I hope it is a good race, since Giro is one of my favorite races.

 

[Salvarani]

I like Remco a lot but he can't be the clear favourite for LBL with Pogačar there and neither he can't be for the Giro with Roglič there.

Judging what we have seen and heard. Remco should be the clear favorite.

 

[theyoungest]

I dont really know. People has said Roglic is old and that he has been sidelined for a few months during the off-season is probably not ideal. He will play catch-up to get into form before the Giro. We saw how that went for Evenepole in 2021, but Roglic is Roglic and it may be different for him.

Remco with another year and improving even more, as multiple people has said he will, should easily beat him but that is something we will only get the answer to once the race takes place.

I hope it is a good race, since Giro is one of my favorite races.

People have said Roglic is old? Well, yeah, if you compare him to Evenepoel he is, but in terms of years as a cyclist, he's not that old. Pogacar probably has done more kilometres on the bike than him.

Roglic was far from his best in the Vuelta and even there he could drop Evenepoel when he improved a little as the race went on. That suggests to me that the difference between them at least isn't as huge as you make it seem.

 

[Salvarani]

People have said Roglic is old? Well, yeah, if you compare him to Evenepoel he is, but in terms of years as a cyclist, he's not that old. Pogacar probably has done more kilometres on the bike than him.

Roglic was far from his best in the Vuelta and even there he could drop Evenepoel when he improved a little as the race went on. That suggests to me that the difference between them at least isn't as huge as you make it seem.

I personally dont disagree with any of this. Just going of reports that Remco should be difficult to match for anyone. We will have to see but that is how things are looking at the moment, so he remains the clear favorite and rider to beat. That is something you cant deny in the present hour.

 

[theyoungest]

I personally dont disagree with any of this. Just going of reports that Remco should be difficult to match for anyone. We will have to see but that is how things are looking at the moment, so he remains the clear favorite and rider to beat. That is something you cant deny in the present hour.

But which reports are you talking about?

 

[Salvarani]

But which reports are you talking about?

Things that were written and discussed after the season. The Valverde stuff sparked quite the conversation. Just among other things thats been said in here and so on. Nobody should have a chance if what they said is true... thats where things stand, therefore he should be considered clear favorite. Whether I or anyone else may not feel that way, is besides the point.

 

[tobydawq]

Things that were written and discussed after the season. The Valverde stuff sparked quite the conversation. Just among other things thats been said in here and so on. Nobody should have a chance if what they said is true...

Honestly, when was the last time anyone had a chance against Remco in a major race?

There were no threats to him in 2022.

 

[Salvarani]

Honestly, when was the last time anyone had a chance against Remco in a major race?

There were no threats to him in 2022.

Exactly, so why there is a discussion on him not being a "clear favorite" for the races that he will target the most I found confusing.

 

[tobydawq]

Exactly, so why there is a discussion on him not being a "clear favorite" for the races that he will target the most I found confusing.

I think people thought you were being sarcastic.

 

[Extinction]

I like Remco a lot but he can't be the clear favourite for LBL with Pogačar there and neither he can be for the Giro with Roglič there.

Sorry, but this is nonsense. He clearly can challenge Pogacar at Liege and Roglic at the Giro.

PS: Sorry, I see what you mean, not "clear" favorite with those two sounds reasonable.

 

[Salvarani]

I think people thought you were being sarcastic.

I believe some people can tell the difference between a "fun/sarcastic"-post meant as a joke or banter if you will and a bit more serious conversation, while some may dont and those I have no interest in ever talking to.

 

[Extinction]

I seem to remember Roglic, when he came into form a bit during the Vuelta, definitely being able to challenge Evenepoel. You expect that now he's specifically gearing toward the Giro, and hopefully starting fit rather than just returning from injury, he's suddenly a lot worse?

Let's put it this way, I believe Roglic started the Giro at 95-96 percent of top form, otherwise he wouldn't have been brought there with winning ambitions. By the time Remco crashed hard, Primoz was entering top shape. Thus it's difficult to gauge Remco getting dropped by Primoz in the mountains after the crash. Although it's likely that without the crash, Evenepoel would have lost no time or just seconds.

Now this year one has to consider the likelyhood that Remco will be even stronger and that, with age and injury, Primoz can only reach his former level. Another possibility, however, is that Roglic will be more rested now and so be able to hit a super peak for la grande partenza.

 

[theyoungest]

Let's put it this way, I believe Roglic started the Giro at 95-96 percent of top form, otherwise he wouldn't have been brought there with winning ambitions. By the time Remco crashed hard, Primoz was entering top shape. Thus it's difficult to gauge Remco getting dropped by Primoz in the mountains after the crash. Although it's likely that without the crash, Evenepoel would have lost no time or just seconds.

Now this year one has to consider the likelyhood that Remco will be even stronger and that, with age and injury, Primoz can only reach his former level. Another possibility, however, is that Roglic will be more rested now and so be able to hit a super peak for la grande partenza.

That last comment is what I was thinking as well, Roglic is often flying at the beginning of the season and then never really seems to peak, maybe this forced rest is actually good in that respect. Unless it was too long, of course. In any case we'll probably see a better Evenepoel than Roglic during the spring.

 

[Extinction]

That last comment is what I was thinking as well, Roglic is often flying at the beginning of the season and then never really seems to peak, maybe this forced rest is actually good in that respect. Unless it was too long, of course. In any case we'll probably see a better Evenepoel than Roglic during the spring.

Well I think how successful the surgery was and how recovered from it he is, shall determine his future prospects. Doubtless, however, he's been in the best of hands, while Jumbo-Visma is the best team to be on to get him into top shape come 6 May. Bring it on!

 

[Andre]

I like Remco a lot but he can't be the clear favourite for LBL with Pogačar there and neither he can be for the Giro with Roglič there.

Remco proved that he is stronger than Roglic in last year's Vuelta. If not for that Remco fall he would have put even more time on him. He also proved that he can handle Tadej pretty good at WC. Remco can actually be the clear favourite for any race he enters.

 

[Extinction]

People have said Roglic is old? Well, yeah, if you compare him to Evenepoel he is, but in terms of years as a cyclist, he's not that old. Pogacar probably has done more kilometres on the bike than him.

Roglic was far from his best in the Vuelta and even there he could drop Evenepoel when he improved a little as the race went on. That suggests to me that the difference between them at least isn't as huge as you make it seem.

Roglic could not possibly have been far from his best at the Vuelta or a) Jumbo-Visma would not have brought him there to win or B) he would not have been at all competitive, as he undoubtedly was before he crashed out.

Although him riding back into contention was likely due to Remco's heavy fall, without which I don't think Primoz would have dropped him, or dropped him by that margin in the immediate subsequent stages after the fall.

 

[Berniece]

Exactly, so why there is a discussion on him not being a "clear favorite" for the races that he will target the most I found confusing.

Because even though he impressed in the Vuelta, the Giro is a different beast. I expect him to ride podium, but just because he was consistent once in a 3 week race, doesn't mean he'll be again. In 2022 he also failed a lot in stage races, besides winning major races.

 

[Extinction]

Honestly, when was the last time anyone had a chance against Remco in a major race?

There were no threats to him in 2022.

Well, if we're honest, Roglic post crash at the Vuelta, until he crashed out.

 

[Extinction]

Because even though he impressed in the Vuelta, the Giro is a different beast. I expect him to ride podium, but just because he was consistent once in a 3 week race, doesn't mean he'll be again. In 2022 he also failed a lot in stage races, besides winning major races.

Yea, but I think, to your latter assertion, QS just didn't know what the hell they were doing, in the sense that you can't bring Remco to TA against Pogacar and Vingegaard in that form. But they won't make the same mistake again at Catalunya this spring.

On the other hand, QS big challenge will be to keep him competitive or dominant in each of the races he enters, because that's what folks, particularly in Belgium, are going to expect from him. No easy task, thus they have to pick their fights wisely, but if they do it should be a masacre.

 

[KZD]

Remco proved that he is stronger than Roglic in last year's Vuelta. If not for that Remco fall he would have put even more time on him. He also proved that he can handle Tadej pretty good at WC. Remco can actually be the clear favourite for any race he enters.

Let's not get ahead of ourselves. Roglič had a less than optimal preparation for the Vuelta unlike Remco and as mentioned by other posters the Giro is a different beast due to the high mountain passes.

Last year's worlds are not LBL or Il Lombardia and Tadej already won 3 of these, if Remco is not at his best, he can't drop Tadej that will beat him in a sprint.

Remco might be one of the strongest riders in the world but let's not start assuming that he is some sort of god that will win every single race...

 

[theyoungest]

Roglic could not possibly have been far from his best at the Vuelta or a) Jumbo-Visma would not have brought him there to win or B) he would not have been at all competitive, as he undoubtedly was before he crashed out.

Although him riding back into contention was likely due to Remco's heavy fall, without which I don't think Primoz would have dropped him, or dropped him by that margin in the immediate subsequent stages after the fall.

Jumbo needed Roglic in the Vuelta, because it started in their home country and they couldn't just go there with a so-so team without a leader. Of course he wasn't bad or anything, but you could clearly see in the first mountain stages that he was far from his best. That's not an indictment of Evenepoel, just stating the obvious. Later on he got a bit better.

 

[Berniece]

Yea, but I think, to your latter assertion, QS just didn't know what the hell they were doing, in the sense that you can't bring Remco to TA against Pogacar and Vingegaard in that form. But they won't make the same mistake again at Catalunya this spring.

On the other hand, QS big challenge will be to keep him competitive or dominant in each of the races he enters, because that's what folks, particularly in Belgium, are going to expect from him. No easy task, thus they have to pick their fights wisely, but if they do it should be a massacre.

That's true, looking forward to the UAE Tour against Pog.

Let's not get ahead of ourselves. Roglič had a less than optimal preparation for the Vuelta unlike Remco and as mentioned by other posters the Giro is a different beast due to the high mountain passes.

Last year's worlds are not LBL or Il Lombardia and Tadej already won 3 of these, if Remco is not at his best, he can't drop Tadej that will beat him in a sprint.

Remco might be one of the strongest riders in the world but let's not start assuming that he is some sort of god that will win every single race...

Indeed, I don't expect him to drop Pogacar in Liege honestly. Only if he gets a couple of meters and is able to ride away, otherwise if Pog would just ride the wheel of Remco, he won't get away.

 

[theyoungest]

Honestly, when was the last time anyone had a chance against Remco in a major race?

There were no threats to him in 2022.

There sure were. Pais Vasco is, by all accounts, the stage race with the highest level outside of the Tour de France, and there he was good, but certainly not the strongest rider in the race.

 

[Extinction]

Jumbo needed Roglic in the Vuelta, because it started in their home country and they couldn't just go there with a so-so team without a leader. Of course he wasn't bad or anything, but you could clearly see in the first mountain stages that he was far from his best. That's not an indictment of Evenepoel, just stating the obvious. Later on he got a bit better.

Duly noted, however, I disagree that he "was far from his best" in the first mountain stages. I would say just not at his best, because far from his best means being dropped utterly out of contention, which wasn't the case. And Jumbo-Visma didn't need an embarassing Roglic, which obviously wasn't the case, at the start in Holland.

My point is that I think it's disingenuous to believe Roglic would have handed it to Evenpoel had he not experienced injury at the Tour and prepared specifically for the Vuelta as did the Belgian. Rather, while not optimal, certainly the Galibier-Granon stage ensured he would not have lost a good footing, despite the injury, to prepare and refocus on the Vuelta.