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

[Extinction]

Guys like Sagan, De Gendt, Van Avermaet have all said or implied they don't understand the image people have of Evenepoel. That he's always polite, easy to talk to, open, respectful... I think if everybody you meet starts filming you and wants you to say something into their selfie camera, there are bound to be some moments where you don't come across as the nicest person.

You know what, this is also the impression I have gotten from him. A veritable Hadrianus, Varius, Multiplex, Multiformis. Here's an anecdote, when Nibali crashed hard in training once before the Giro, the Italian said Evenepoel was the first rider to write him an SMS asking how he was doing and to wish him a speedy recovery. So, yea, a nice guy.

 

[Andre]

Fair enough, but I still think he acted like a prince among subjects, but this is a venial sin of vanity as I previously wrote. It would be interesting to see how Pogacar would have responded under the same circumstances. Oh, wait, but he doesn't have the rainbow jersey!

It's not an act, he is the Prince of Belgium...almost the King.

 

[Big Doopie]

Scenario 1:

Remco and Rog are attacking each other constantly during last years Vuelta on some fictional mountain stage. Just before the final MTF Remco looks at the camera, smiles and pretends to rev an engine.

He then gets dropped thoroughly by Rog on the climb and loses the Vuelta.

Scenario 2:

On a climb in Catalunya, Rog attacks. Remco follows and while sitting on Rog’s wheel, turns to the camera and smiles to show how easy he is following Rog. He then drops Rog.

What would be the reaction?

I criticized Remco’s shoulder brush off when he was only barely out of his teens. But even that arrogant (though misinterpreted) gesture pales in comparison to some of the things Pog has done. And yet the reaction it diametrically opposite.

 

[houtdffan]

Scenario 1:

Remco and Rog are attacking each other constantly during last years Vuelta on some fictional mountain stage. Just before the final MTF Remco looks at the camera, smiles and pretends to rev an engine.

He then gets dropped thoroughly by Rog on the climb and loses the Vuelta.

Scenario 2:

On a climb in Catalunya, Rog attacks. Remco follows and while sitting on Rog’s wheel, turns to the camera and smiles to show how easy he is following Rog. He then drops Rog.

What would be the reaction?

I criticized Remco’s shoulder brush off when he was only barely out of his teens. But even that arrogant (though misinterpreted) gesture pales in comparison to some of the things Pog has done. And yet the reaction it diametrically opposite.

Think deep down some know how good Remco is, and they hate him for it. Will find anyone who has even the slightest chance of dethroning him

 

[Extinction]

None of it is surprising to me, I think the concept that it’s not just people in his own country but everyone everywhere carries the same expectations and noise for him because he’s from Belgium. Here in the US it really doesn’t matter what city or state a top athlete comes from for say the NFL, the expectations are purely based on their “prodigious” status or pedigree. Which Remco has, but still gets disproportional attention. But maybe the level of interest in our sports here is more homogenous and not especially revved up in any certain area, for the big sports at least.

Being Belgian does give the hype an added dimention, which resonates beyond national European borders, because it is the land of Merckx that hasn't had Evenpoel's type of talent since the Cannibal. The Italians call the Belgian classics the "university of cycling," to give you an idea of the mystique, in particular Flandrian racing, Belgium has in the traditional cycling Euro epicenter. Whereas the US is a continent unto itself, where interstate rivalries are nothing like those hisorically between the nations of Europe. Although cycling sometimes produces a prodigious talent that can be admired (or reviled) by one and all, like once Coppi, like Merckx, like Hinault.

 

[BR2]

Think deep down some know how good Remco is, and they hate him for it. Will find anyone who has even the slightest chance of dethroning him

That's the kind of post that bothers me. You think people are less afraid of Pogacar and that's why he gets less negative press?
That's the typical "anyone who says something negative is only a hater full of envy".

And the "people who know him say he's nice" thing, I've often heard that about Ronaldo, and "being nice" can mean different things.

 

[Salvarani]

You know what, this is also the impression I have gotten from him. A veritable Hadrianus, Varius, Multiplex, Multiformis. Here's an anecdote, when Nibali crashed hard in training once before the Giro, the Italian said Evenepoel was the first rider to write him an SMS asking how he was doing and to wish him a speedy recovery. So, yea, a nice guy.

Fair enough.

Why does he have to throw his arm up after he finishes a race and complain about riders not pulling for him in a group? This has happened on a few occasions. How you act when you lose says a lot about someones character, at least to me.

Everybody can get frustrated sometimes and it is human to react in a certain way, but if it happens many times it just says something about who you are. You are not really learning to control your emotions, if it keeps happening every time you feel like you have been "wronged". It is something one should get better with as they mature and grow older.

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

That's the kind of post that bothers me. You think people are less afraid of Pogacar and that's why he gets less negative press?
That's the typical "anyone who says something negative is only a hater full of envy".

And the "people who know him say he's nice" thing, I've often heard that about Ronaldo, and "being nice" can mean different things.

And yet there is some truth to it. Many people have a tendency to dislike a dominant athlete. And Evenepoel was heralded to become exactly that type of athlete. The fact that Pogacar leapfrogged him, clearly was reason to gloat for many. The difference is that they had years to build up resentment towards Evenepoel, which they did not have with Pogacar, who came out of nowhere. Evenepoel had an army of haters, doubters, naysayers before he even raced his first pro race. Pogacar on the other hand was "just there" all of a sudden. Quite sure this is also a form of cognitive dissonance at work.

And you think Sagan is someone who usually hangs around with Evenepoel? Or does it bother you that people who are much more likely than you, to have a good idea of how he really is, who see him during, before or after a race when camera's are not around, have a different opinion that does not align with the image you have of him?

 

[Extinction]

Fair enough.

Why does he have to throw his arm up after he finishes a race and complain about riders not pulling for him in a group? This has happened on a few occasions. How you act when you lose says a lot about someones character, at least to me.

Everybody can get frustrated sometimes and it is human to react in a certain way, but if it happens many times it just says something about who you are. You are not really learning to control your emotions, if it keeps happening every time you feel like you have been "wronged". It is something one should get better with as they mature and grow older.

Well I just think it comes, more or less mind you, with the territory of being that type of champion. Hinault ruled over the peloton like it was his to give orders, and often other team riders obeyed his sovereign commands or took a thorough trouncing by their own teamstes if they didn't.

Even Pogacar lashed out at Dylan van Baarle after the finish of Flanders last year, because he didn't think the Dutchman gave his majesty the right of way. I never said Evenepoel was always agreeable, but champions are often self-absorbed, ego maniacs in competative situations, but this is also partly why they win more than the others.

 

[Panda Claws]

Reading this thread it's clear that Remco did not just steal Yates' lunch money.

 

[Red Rick]

Only Evenepoel fans consistently make up hypotheticals in which he's untreated unfairly by cycling fans so they can complain again

 

[houtdffan]

That's the kind of post that bothers me. You think people are less afraid of Pogacar and that's why he gets less negative press?
That's the typical "anyone who says something negative is only a hater full of envy".

And the "people who know him say he's nice" thing, I've often heard that about Ronaldo, and "being nice" can mean different things.

Its posts like this that demonstrate my point.

Remco has a year where he wins LBL, San Sabastien, the Vuelta and the worlds, and yet people are still searching for ANYTHING to elevate another rider above him

 

[peterfin]

Only Evenepoel fans consistently make up hypotheticals in which he's untreated unfairly by cycling fans so they can complain again

The discussion started by a cycling fan seeing him as a narcissist and arrogant person. As a fan, and as many other fans here who follow him more closely than the average cyclist fan, we can fairly say that this is not the case. It's one of those misconceptions, mainly created by the media and his extroverted, outspoken character that demand a reaction because it is false.

 

[Panda Claws]

Only Evenepoel fans consistently make up hypotheticals in which he's untreated unfairly by cycling fans so they can complain again

Adult has entered the room.

 

[Bonimenier]

Adult has entered the room.

And let's not forget moderator as well

 

[tobydawq]

Only Evenepoel fans consistently make up hypotheticals in which he's untreated unfairly by cycling fans so they can complain again

That's a double-negative I didn't see before.

What would untreated even mean?

 

[theyoungest]

And yet there is some truth to it. Many people have a tendency to dislike a dominant athlete. And Evenepoel was heralded to become exactly that type of athlete. The fact that Pogacar leapfrogged him, clearly was reason to gloat for many. The difference is that they had years to build up resentment towards Evenepoel, which they did not have with Pogacar, who came out of nowhere. Evenepoel had an army of haters, doubters, naysayers before he even raced his first pro race. Pogacar on the other hand was "just there" all of a sudden. Quite sure this is also a form of cognitive dissonance at work.

Do you really believe this drivel? An army of haters... most people had never even heard of the guy. In most countries junior racing gets hardly any coverage.

 

[tobydawq]

Do you really believe this drivel? An army of haters... most people had never even heard of the guy. In most countries junior racing gets hardly any coverage.

In this particular case, most people had heard of the guy...

Okay, not "most people" as the majority of the people on the planet Earth, but I don't think that is the case now, either...

 

[Boes]

? Where has Remco any charisma? I didn't see it . For sure a little bit arrogance and narcissism but he is not particularly intelligent, interesting or charismatic.

I'm just wondering. Has there ever been a Belgian cyclist that touched you in your naughty place?
Constant crusade against Belgian wunderboys is getting a bit old

 

[theyoungest]

In this particular case, most people had heard of the guy...

Okay, not "most people" as the majority of the people on the planet Earth, but I don't think that is the case now, either...

Well yeah, hardcore cycling fans knew who he was, but not enough to even gather an army of fans, let alone an army of haters.

 

[Big Doopie]

Adult has entered the room.

hardly. lol.

 

[Big Doopie]

Do you really believe this drivel? An army of haters... most people had never even heard of the guy. In most countries junior racing gets hardly any coverage.

what's another word for "army" because the rest is accurate... ;-)

if you prefer: "individuals suffering from RDS" (Remco Derangement Syndrome), that can do.

"haters" for short (it's a forum, folks, abbreviations are necessary).

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

Do you really believe this drivel? An army of haters... most people had never even heard of the guy. In most countries junior racing gets hardly any coverage.

I don't believe it, i'm convinced of it. Most cycling fans knew very well who he was, and for many him making the GOAT gesture during his WCC in Innsbruck was enough to form their opinion of the guy, not knowing it was a bet/dare between friends.

Also, did you ask yourself the same question, "do you really believe this drivel", before posting about Belgiums national anti Roglic convention?

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

Why does he have to throw his arm up after he finishes a race and complain about riders not pulling for him in a group? This has happened on a few occasions. How you act when you lose says a lot about someones character, at least to me.

The only time i can remember him getting worked up over a rider not pulling, was during the ECC.

You will find dozens of examples of him not even bothered when others get in his wheel without helping. Masnada in Adriatica Ionica, Campenaerts in BBT, Armirail in Liège, Yates in UAE, other Yates in Classica, Plapp and Vine in Norway, Roglic in Vuelta, Mas in Vuelta... Sometimes he asks once and then drops them if they don't want to help.

I remember a discussion with Skujins during his first Classica but that was about something else iirc. Then there was the time he was angry with Vermeersch for making him crash. But you will find it hard to find a rider that gets leeched as much and complains as little.

 

[LookProGoSlow]

The only time i can remember him getting worked up over a rider not pulling, was during the ECC.

You will find dozens of examples of him not even bothered when others get in his wheel without helping. Masnada in Adriatica Ionica, Campenaerts in BBT, Armirail in Liège, Yates in UAE, other Yates in Classica, Plapp and Vine in Norway, Roglic in Vuelta, Mas in Vuelta... Sometimes he asks once and then drops them if they don't want to help.

I remember a discussion with Skujins during his first Classica but that was about something else iirc. Then there was the time he was angry with Vermeersch for making him crash. But you will find it hard to find a rider that gets leeched as much and complains as little.

Peak Sagan begs to differ