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

[Oldermanish]

Yea, the 36 year old boy wonder.

Landa can always tell the DS where Remco will be at crucial, tactical moments. "Up ahead....somewhere".

 

[Ulle97]

Thinking ahead to Remco's 2024 season, I'm curious to speculate which titles he can pick up.

I think he has a huge chance of winning Liege and San Sebastian again. Lombardia appears to be just out of his reach. He will also do well in many of the one week races, picking up multiple stages and high overall placings.

I can't see him winning the Tour de France. He may finish top 10 and pick up a couple of stages. However, I think he has a serious chance of winning the Giro if he goes for it. All the talk has been that he must go for the Tour next year but realistically, not even his biggest fans think he can win the Tour against Pog, Ving and Rog.

Which is more valuable??? Winning a Giro or coming top 10 in the Tour. The former for me is without question the more prestigious.

 

[proffate]

I think he has a huge chance of winning Liege and San Sebastian again. Lombardia appears to be just out of his reach.

I dunno, I think he's just good at peaking. Well, I dunno about "good at" because sometimes he messes up the timing. But his peaks, when they arrive, are very pronounced. Therefore it would be not at all surprising to see him win Lombardia, nor a new GT. It would also not be surprising to see him step on a few more rakes.

 

[red_flanders]

Thinking ahead to Remco's 2024 season, I'm curious to speculate which titles he can pick up.

I think he has a huge chance of winning Liege and San Sebastian again. Lombardia appears to be just out of his reach. He will also do well in many of the one week races, picking up multiple stages and high overall placings.

I can't see him winning the Tour de France. He may finish top 10 and pick up a couple of stages. However, I think he has a serious chance of winning the Giro if he goes for it. All the talk has been that he must go for the Tour next year but realistically, not even his biggest fans think he can win the Tour against Pog, Ving and Rog.

Which is more valuable??? Winning a Giro or coming top 10 in the Tour. The former for me is without question the more prestigious.

He's easily able to win Lombardia. Why would it be just out of reach?

Agree he's not likely to win the Tour, but it's time. Zero percent chance of winning it if you don't try. Top 10 would be easy, I think he's a likely podium with an dark horse chance to win if his prep is perfect. Vino and Pog could be off for whatever reason. On top form, I think he's equal at least to Rog.

 

[Extinction]

This might s

Thinking ahead to Remco's 2024 season, I'm curious to speculate which titles he can pick up.

I think he has a huge chance of winning Liege and San Sebastian again. Lombardia appears to be just out of his reach. He will also do well in many of the one week races, picking up multiple stages and high overall placings.

I can't see him winning the Tour de France. He may finish top 10 and pick up a couple of stages. However, I think he has a serious chance of winning the Giro if he goes for it. All the talk has been that he must go for the Tour next year but realistically, not even his biggest fans think he can win the Tour against Pog, Ving and Rog.

Which is more valuable??? Winning a Giro or coming top 10 in the Tour. The former for me is without question the more prestigious.

Ou

Thinking ahead to Remco's 2024 season, I'm curious to speculate which titles he can pick up.

I think he has a huge chance of winning Liege and San Sebastian again. Lombardia appears to be just out of his reach. He will also do well in many of the one week races, picking up multiple stages and high overall placings.

I can't see him winning the Tour de France. He may finish top 10 and pick up a couple of stages. However, I think he has a serious chance of winning the Giro if he goes for it. All the talk has been that he must go for the Tour next year but realistically, not even his biggest fans think he can win the Tour against Pog, Ving and Rog.

Which is more valuable??? Winning a Giro or coming top 10 in the Tour. The former for me is without question the more prestigious.

Perhaps this sounds crazy, but he should do the Giro-Tour double. The first to try and win, the second for experience. I know it's not going to happen in a million years, however, as he's not going to win the Tour next year, why not have a go at the Italian GT. The corsa rosa seems almost taylor made for him.

But of course, he'll just be going to the Tour with the pressure to win again, even if it's not realistic. Perhaps he'd have more fun preparing for the Giro and then go into the Tour with lowered expectations though.

 

[AmRacer]

This might s

Ou

Perhaps this sounds crazy, but he should do the Giro-Tour double. The first to try and win, the second for experience. I know it's not going to happen in a million years, however, as he's not going to win the Tour next year, why not have a go at the Italian GT. The corsa rosa seems almost taylor made for him.

But of course, he'll just be going to the Tour with the pressure to win again, even if it's not realistic. Perhaps he'd have more fun preparing for the Giro and then go into the Tour with lowered expectations though.

Wouldn't the Giro be a better prep for Olympics?

 

[Eddy Evenepoel]

Wouldn't the Giro be a better prep for Olympics?

Maybe for Olympics ITT, but I think the Tour is better for the Road race.

I know there are many reasons behind these results,but:
This year the top 4 at WC ITT didn’t ride the Tour. Only Dinham and Skuijns in the top 12 at the RR didn’t ride the Tour.

 

[Berniece]

Wouldn't the Giro be a better prep for Olympics?

There’s a theory that you reach your best form after a GT. I don’t know the science behind it.

 

[shadowrider]

Thinking ahead to Remco's 2024 season, I'm curious to speculate which titles he can pick up.

I think he has a huge chance of winning Liege and San Sebastian again. Lombardia appears to be just out of his reach. He will also do well in many of the one week races, picking up multiple stages and high overall placings.

I can't see him winning the Tour de France. He may finish top 10 and pick up a couple of stages. However, I think he has a serious chance of winning the Giro if he goes for it. All the talk has been that he must go for the Tour next year but realistically, not even his biggest fans think he can win the Tour against Pog, Ving and Rog.

Which is more valuable??? Winning a Giro or coming top 10 in the Tour. The former for me is without question the more prestigious.

Lombardia out of his reach ? In 2020 he was in the leading group and he could have won. This year again a nasty crash (not his fault). He proved he had terrible legs still ending ninth. With a painful back and damaged hip.
Of course, in the Tour, Evenepoel can't win against Vingegaard, Pogacar and Roglic..... being in the same team. But next year, they will be in three different (and strong) teams. Those three will fight each other. Evenepoel has to stay in the wheels, has t hope not having a bad day. Also hoping that one or two of his opponents will have a bad day.... or crash. With good legs and a bit of luck, there will come some opportunitys for Evenepoel.

 

[AmRacer]

Maybe for Olympics ITT, but I think the Tour is better for the Road race.

I know there are many reasons behind these results,but:
This year the top 4 at WC ITT didn’t ride the Tour. Only Dinham and Skuijns in the top 12 at the RR didn’t ride the Tour.

Riding the Tour for a GC results is different, I think.

 

[ManicJack]

But next year, they will be in three different (and strong) teams. Those three will fight each other. Evenepoel has to stay in the wheels

You think having to cover all 3 of them is going to be easier? The pecking order isn't going to be decided on the first climb. LOL

 

[Extinction]

Wouldn't the Giro be a better prep for Olympics?

It could be, actually. Although it depends if coming out of the Tour one is flying or faltering.

 

[The fridge in the blue trees]

Giro Tour double?
And then blame Soudal for bad planning if he doesn't win 2 of San Sebastian, Olympics TT/RR, WC TT/RR and Lombardia?

If he's not frustrated with the Giro, go for that, then prepare for the Olympics etc. The route indeed seems almost perfect for him. Unbalanced TT/mountain. But he's probably itching to try the Tour.

 

[Extinction]

Giro Tour double?
And then blame Soudal for bad planning if he doesn't win 2 of San Sebastian, Olympics TT/RR, WC TT/RR and Lombardia?

If he's not frustrated with the Giro, go for that, then prepare for the Olympics etc. The route indeed seems almost perfect for him. Unbalanced TT/mountain. But he's probably itching to try the Tour.

Exactly, but he's not going to win the Tour so, at that point, a serious Giro go doesn't hurt his Tour. And the double would be an excellent base for future attempts at the Yellow Jersey, which is a career goal. In the economy of his career it takes nothing from other ambitions, but builds a solid base for his GT goals, while furthering Soudal's credentials in that department.

 

[Pantani_lives]

Evenepoel had a brilliant season as a classic rider, time trialist and stage hunter. Still the question remains how far he can get as a GT rider. He could be someone like Kelly, Jalabert and Valverde: a rider who wins one Vuelta and lots of other races on different terrains, but no Tour.

On the other hand he's still very young. In the middle mountains and the time trials he's already world top, and he has time to improve in the high mountains. So who knows where his limits are?

 

[dennisdy]

This might s

Ou

Perhaps this sounds crazy, but he should do the Giro-Tour double. The first to try and win, the second for experience. I know it's not going to happen in a million years, however, as he's not going to win the Tour next year, why not have a go at the Italian GT. The corsa rosa seems almost taylor made for him.

But of course, he'll just be going to the Tour with the pressure to win again, even if it's not realistic. Perhaps he'd have more fun preparing for the Giro and then go into the Tour with lowered expectations though.

Maybe for Olympics ITT, but I think the Tour is better for the Road race.

I know there are many reasons behind these results,but:
This year the top 4 at WC ITT didn’t ride the Tour. Only Dinham and Skuijns in the top 12 at the RR didn’t ride the Tour.

He has the best winning chances doing the Giro (which ends on May 26), the Olympic TT, and the Road Race. The Tour ends on July 24. The Olympic TT is July 27 and the Road Race is August 3! Anyone who competes diligently in the Tour won't be on his best form for the Olympics.

The 2024 Giro is made for Remco. He can excel in the time trials and flat stages. He will also be competitive in the mountains. The Tour would be a great experience, but he can't beat the entire trio ahead of him.

 

[Big Doopie]

And Lemond on "86 form, not getting shot full of lead; would have won the next 4 Tours and stopped because he was tired of winning and humbling French legends.

Lemond likely could have won 1985-1992 at bare minimum.

Without lead in his body and clinic in other riders bodies, he would no doubt have been the greatest TDF and Worlds Champion of all time.

One (if not the only) true legend.

 

[Netserk]

He has the best winning chances doing the Giro (which ends on May 26), the Olympic TT, and the Road Race. The Tour ends on July 24. The Olympic TT is July 27 and the Road Race is August 3! Anyone who competes diligently in the Tour won't be on his best form for the Olympics.

The 2024 Giro is made for Remco. He can excel in the time trials and flat stages. He will also be competitive in the mountains. The Tour would be a great experience, but he can't beat the entire trio ahead of him.

The Tour ends on July 21. So from the end of the Tour to the Road Race is the same as with Glasgow this year.

 

[Berniece]

The Tour ends on July 21. So from the end of the Tour to the Road Race is the same as with Glasgow this year.

And also the same as from Vuelta to WC in 2022?

 

[Eddy Evenepoel]

1 day less from the final stage of Tour 24 to Olympic RR than it was from the final stage of Tour 23 to WC and from final stage of Vuelta 22 to WC, both examples of Pogacar and Remco fighting for GC in the GT just before WC and both being magnificent at the WC RR.

One day less on paper, but I would say it's 2 days less, as the Tour 24 ends with an ITT and not with a parade stage. That could make a small difference perhaps?

 

[Extinction]

1 day less from the final stage of Tour 24 to Olympic RR than it was from the final stage of Tour 23 to WC and from final stage of Vuelta 22 to WC, both examples of Pogacar and Remco fighting for GC in the GT just before WC and both being magnificent at the WC RR.

One day less on paper, but I would say it's 2 days less, as the Tour 24 ends with an ITT and not with a parade stage. That could make a small difference perhaps?

Well, if Remco were to win the Tour, it does not matter. As he'd be so freakin strong he'd win Olympic TT and RR.

 

[RedheadDane]

1 day less from the final stage of Tour 24 to Olympic RR than it was from the final stage of Tour 23 to WC and from final stage of Vuelta 22 to WC, both examples of Pogacar and Remco fighting for GC in the GT just before WC and both being magnificent at the WC RR.

One day less on paper, but I would say it's 2 days less, as the Tour 24 ends with an ITT and not with a parade stage. That could make a small difference perhaps?

Otoh, between the final stage of the 22 Vuelta, and the Worlds, Evenepoel had to travel from Madrid to Wollongong.
Between the final stage of the 24 Tour, and the Olympics, he'll have to travel from Nice to Paris.

 

[Sciatic]

1 day less from the final stage of Tour 24 to Olympic RR than it was from the final stage of Tour 23 to WC and from final stage of Vuelta 22 to WC, both examples of Pogacar and Remco fighting for GC in the GT just before WC and both being magnificent at the WC RR.

One day less on paper, but I would say it's 2 days less, as the Tour 24 ends with an ITT and not with a parade stage. That could make a small difference perhaps?

Plus, it’s just a 2.5hr TGV ride from the Tour finish in Nice to Paris!

 

[yaco]

I am guessing that the TDU will have another crack at Remco riding in the 2024 edition. He rode Saint Louis which runs at the same time in 2023.

 

[dennisdy]

If Evenepoel has a chance to win the Tour, he will obviously have to be all in on the final stage TT. It is a tough, hilly, 35k route. He, won't be competitive in the Olympic TT six days later. If he chooses the Giro-Olympics instead, he will have a much greater chance of success.