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

[peterfin]

Another garbage post. There's a thing called perception bias that social networks amplify. This thread is an example of a fragile echo chamber where its usual users agree most of the times. When questions, doubts or other users threaten to pop it by hurting or calling out its underlying narrative, you get every now and then a meltdown. And yes, the case is not so severe in other threads where usually there's a good deal of self-deprecating humor.

Pop what? Which narrative? It helps if you explain what you mean. This a thread for fans of Remco and anyone interested in what he does. It might have higher 'intensity' than the average thread but that doesn't make it different. It's still in the first place to have fun, have insights, anticipate victories and discuss the challenges of the rider we like to follow. What does happen more often than usual is that others jump in to make fun of the athlete or a quote of a fan (especially if it is a bit exagerated). The intensity attracts others to the party. Just acknowledge it if that's why you jump in. If it wouln't give you any value, you wouldn't be here.

 

[bNator]

Pop what? Which narrative? It helps if you explain what you mean. This a thread for fans of Remco and anyone interested in what he does. It might have higher 'intensity' than the average thread but that doesn't make it different. It's still in the first place to have fun, have insights, anticipate victories and discuss the challenges of the rider we like to follow. What does happen more often than usual is that others jump in to make fun of the athlete or a quote of a fan (especially if it is a bit exagerated). The intensity attracts others to the party. Just acknowledge it if that's why you jump in. If it wouln't give you any value, you wouldn't be here.

Check thread title…

 

[peterfin]

Check thread title…

Yes that title keeps drawing in angry visitor. The title was chosen by DNP-old when Remco was a junior. Nobody here believes he will replicate Merckx unbeatable record wins let alone come close to it. We asked to change the title and basically got to chose between 'not changing it' and 'not changing it'. So we are stuck with it. Anyway, I am not jumping in the Vingegaard thread to shout that he is not a chicken so I guess the average poster knows that the title doesn't really matter.

 

[bNator]

Yes that title keeps drawing in angry visitor. The title was chosen by DNP-old when Remco was a junior. Nobody here believes he will replicate Merckx unbeatable record wins let alone come close to it. We asked to change the title and basically got to chose between 'not changing it' and 'not changing it'. So we are stuck with it. Anyway, I am not jumping in the Vingegaard thread to shout that he is not a chicken so I guess the average poster knows that the title doesn't really matter.

Yes but now we come to the second part of @Elos Anjos post, which is the observation of the lack of self-deprecating humour. Cause when you are (not you personally - Remco fans I mean) for instance calling Rogla mountain sprinter it is often received by Rogla fans calling him that as well. Not to mention the wheelsucking which has by now become a meme. Not to say Rogla fans are better company than Remco fans, but in general, you seem to take things much more seriously over here which combined with the thread title and often claiming Remco is a second coming makes your thread more inviting for other fans to have some fun here occasionally. And that’s why things get so tense around here…

 

[Eddy Evenepoel]

We asked to change the title and basically got to chose between 'not changing it' and 'not changing it'. So we are stuck with it.

In general I think its always a bad idea to change thread titles unless its offensive or spelled wrong.
This thread title is perfect because of its history, made when the rider was just a junior and the original poster came up with this brillint tongue in cheek title. If things had turned out different the rider would never make it among the pros and the title and the thread wouldn’t matter. Now the rider turned out so good that there are people actually thinking that it’s meant as a direct comparison to Merckx and a direct expectation that this rider will match Remco. That’s funny.

but in general, you seem to take things much more seriously over here

You can’t be serious about this when you still after all these years refers to the thread title

As mentioned above and mentioned several times. It tracks back to the junior years and I think no one should ever think of it as a 100% serious thread title that equals Remco with Merkcx.
In short; if this thread title upsets you, the problem isn’t the title. It’s you.

 

[DNP-Old]

Yes that title keeps drawing in angry visitor. The title was chosen by DNP-old when Remco was a junior. Nobody here believes he will replicate Merckx unbeatable record wins let alone come close to it. We asked to change the title and basically got to chose between 'not changing it' and 'not changing it'. So we are stuck with it. Anyway, I am not jumping in the Vingegaard thread to shout that he is not a chicken so I guess the average poster knows that the title doesn't really matter.

That title is staying, for eternity.

 

[Riek s]

Yes but now we come to the second part of @Elos Anjos post, which is the observation of the lack of self-deprecating humour. Cause when you are (not you personally - Remco fans I mean) for instance calling Rogla mountain sprinter it is often received by Rogla fans calling him that as well. Not to mention the wheelsucking which has by now become a meme. Not to say Rogla fans are better company than Remco fans, but in general, you seem to take things much more seriously over here which combined with the thread title and often claiming Remco is a second coming makes your thread more inviting for other fans to have some fun here occasionally. And that’s why things get so tense around here…

wright. The title is proof of self-deprecating humour, since he is much better . It seems its you who takes it so seriously.. isn't it?

 

[bNator]

I don't care about your thread title - but since some guys here complained about garbage posts, I offered some perspective. I am way too scared to say anything else about Remco here

 

[peterfin]

I don't care about your thread title - but since some guys here complained about garbage posts, I offered some perspective. I am way too scared to say anything else about Remco here

Please share your opinions about Remco! There is no reason to think that this thread attracts mainly people that lack self-deprecating humor. Why would it? Yes, people can get a bit defensive when somebody jumps in with bold comments for the x-th time with not much to back the claims. Somehow this happens much more here than in the other threads. I don't think it's the thread title or the posters here that are the problem. We are a bit a reflection of the outside world. People seem to either love or hate Remco. Probably that is also what makes him so interesting (for both).

 

[bNator]

Please share your opinions about Remco! There is no reason to think that this thread attracts mainly people that lack self-deprecating humor. Why would it? Yes, people can get a bit defensive when somebody jumps in with bold comments for the x-th time with not much to back the claims. Somehow this happens much more here than in the other threads. I don't think it's the thread title or the posters here that are the problem. We are a bit a reflection of the outside world. People seem to either love or hate Remco. Probably that is also what makes him so interesting (for both).

Yes, Remco is a polarising figure. That is partially due to his confidence (big dog / small dog was an interesting analogy). Whenever sportsman projects a lot of confidence that will inevitably trigger "shadenfreude" effect with fans of other riders. I will deliberately refrain form saying overconfidence because it is yet to be proven whether confidence is justified or not.

As per my opinion of Remco - there's no denial he's extremely talented rider in many areas (classics/TT/stage races). Despite his Vuelta win I doubt he will be making history in GT races though - I rate him below Roglic, Pog and Vinge at the moment. I would cheer for him against Vinge

 

[Berniece]

I will deliberately refrain form saying overconfidence because it is yet to be proven whether confidence is justified or not.

When it comes to winning TDF maybe, everything else he has already proven, right?

 

[ManicJack]

When it comes to winning TDF maybe, everything else he has already proven, right?

Not even close.

 

[bNator]

When it comes to winning TDF maybe, everything else he has already proven, right?

He hasn't proven himself as a top-dog stage racer yet. It does sound a bit weird considering he won the Vuelta. But so did Simon Yates... Until he beats Roglic (last year can't really count), Pog or Vinge and beats them consistently, until he does that, his reputation regarding stage racing preceeds him...

 

[DNP-Old]

I present to you my opinion, and any factual evidence that contradicts, refutes or counters said opinion I will deem invalid and shall not be counted.

 

[Netserk]

I present to you my opinion, and any factual evidence that contradicts, refutes or counters said opinion I will deem invalid and shall not be counted.

Evenepoel has proven as much against Rogla as Mas has proven against Rogla.

 

[DNP-Old]

Evenepoel has proven as much against Rogla as Mas has proven against Rogla.

As far am I'm concerned, Remco is yet to prove he's a more capable winner than Tim Declercq. His previous 46 victories can't really count.

 

[Netserk]

As far am I'm concerned, Remco is yet to prove he's a more capable winner than Tim Declercq. His previous 46 victories can't really count.

If you had to rank the ten best stage racers, how many of them has Evenepoel bested? Fewer than Mas has?

The best beat the best opposition.

 

[wickedw]

If you had to rank the ten best stage racers, how many of them has Evenepoel bested? Fewer than Mas has?

The best beat the best opposition.

Startlist for World Championships ME - Road Race 2022

Competing teams and riders for World Championships ME - Road Race 2022. Top competitors are , and .

www.procyclingstats.com

 

[Netserk]

Startlist for World Championships ME - Road Race 2022

Competing teams and riders for World Championships ME - Road Race 2022. Top competitors are , and .

www.procyclingstats.com

Very relevant - if the discussion was about his merits as a one-day racer.

 

[peterfin]

Yes, Remco is a polarising figure. That is partially due to his confidence (big dog / small dog was an interesting analogy). Whenever sportsman projects a lot of confidence that will inevitably trigger "shadenfreude" effect with fans of other riders. I will deliberately refrain form saying overconfidence because it is yet to be proven whether confidence is justified or not.

As per my opinion of Remco - there's no denial he's extremely talented rider in many areas (classics/TT/stage races). Despite his Vuelta win I doubt he will be making history in GT races though - I rate him below Roglic, Pog and Vinge at the moment. I would cheer for him against Vinge

He has a lot of confidence but also a lot of respect for his opponents. In news articles his words are often taken out of context for click bait giving the impression that he is brash and overconfident while his words were much more nuanced. Unless you are a fan, you typically won't read it but the headlines will stick. For example, while he will say that winning the TdF is his ultimate dream, the press might quote it in a way that gives the impression that he has no doubt he will do it. All of this adds to the general perception and for some riders it turns out net negative (like Remco) and others net possitive (like Pogacar). As a result some are also allowed to say more than others. Tom Pidcock said last year that there is a good chance that he will win the TdF. Apparently he can say that without being ridiculed.

 

[wickedw]

Very relevant - if the discussion was about his merits as a one-day racer.

My bad, only half following all the pointless discussions here lately, I thought we were still on one day races. Apologies.

To be on topic then: There are no results to back up his GT potential besides the Vuelta and his performance in one week races. He's only ever finished one GT and won it, the guy he was beating quite convincingly crashed out. The giro could have made things clearer, but he got sick. Apparently the Vuelta win doesn't fully count to some because of Roglic his crash, in that case Roglic his victory in the giro doesn't count towards his merit as a gc rider either. Rubbish.

The upcoming Vuelta might shed a bit more light for those who doubt his merit. Or it might just put us no-doubters in our place for a little while. Either way, as many others here I'm happy to be entertained by a fantastic cyclist.

 

[Andre]

Startlist for World Championships ME - Road Race 2022

Competing teams and riders for World Championships ME - Road Race 2022. Top competitors are , and .

www.procyclingstats.com

There were no Russian riders in 2022 WC! wth

 

[Netserk]

My bad, only half following all the pointless discussions here lately, I thought we were still on one day races. Apologies.

To be on topic then: There are no results to back up his GT potential besides the Vuelta and his performance in one week races. He's only ever finished one GT and won it, the guy he was beating quite convincingly crashed out. The giro could have made things clearer, but he got sick. Apparently the Vuelta win doesn't fully count to some because of Roglic his crash, in that case Roglic his victory in the giro doesn't count towards his merit as a gc rider either. Rubbish.

The upcoming Vuelta might shed a bit more light for those who doubt his merit. Or it might just put us no-doubters in our place for a little while. Either way, as many others here I'm happy to be entertained by a fantastic cyclist.

Oh, it absolutely counts. Just like Tao Geoghegan Hart's Giro win counts.

He obviously did well and took the scalps of Mas and Ayuso there, but I don't see how that on its own elevates him to the very top. He is still below Geraint Thomas as a proven stage racer.

 

[ManicJack]

Tom Pidcock said last year that there is a good chance that he will win the TdF. Apparently he can say that without being ridiculed.

Pretty sure he received nothing but ridicule from all but the most hard core Ineos fans.

 

[wickedw]

Oh, it absolutely counts. Just like Tao Geoghegan Hart's Giro win counts.

He obviously did well and took the scalps of Mas and Ayuso there, but I don't see how that on its own elevates him to the very top. He is still below Geraint Thomas as a proven stage racer.

I would actually argue that Mas was a bigger contestant in the Vuelta than Roglic last year, he was in superb form at the end of the season... But that's a pointless opinion and discussion since we'll never know. But I agree with you, aside from winning the Vuelta, nothing has been proven yet in GTs.