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

[Andre]

The stage tomorrow looks like it's hand made for Remco.

 

[zlev11]

The stage tomorrow looks like it's hand made for Remco.

yes the only question is who or what will he blame when he doesn't win it?

 

[Salvarani]

So very humble and gracious he is.

 

[Netserk]

So Remco the Sheriff won't have to make an arrest this time.

 

[frisenfruitig]

I like the way he rides but the kid really needs to learn to shut up sometimes.

 

[Bolder]

He still can't take full responsibility...now it's the commissaires' fault.

That said, don't ever change, Remco.

 

[Berniece]

He still can't take full responsibility...now it's the commissaires' fault.

Why is it his fault the lost 4-5s due to this? I’m not saying it’s anyone’s fault, sometimes things just happen.

 

[jmdirt]

I was really surprised to hear his comments (which he has since walked back) as Declerq was a demonstrative supporter of Remco during their time together, and a totally selfless rider. Can't see how Remco could have imagined he did anything negative on purpose. Just not him. Weird.

In other sports when athletes switch teams they do what they can for their new team to win so why not cycling. Can you image a NFL player not tackling one of his previous team mates, a goalie not blocking a kick from a previous team mate...

I'm not saying that Declerq did anything (didn't go back to watch for it), I'm just saying that it shouldn't be considered 'wrong' or 'off' if he did.

 

[veganrob]

He's such a whiny little ***. Now he's crying about the head socks on helmets. Pathetic.

 

[frisenfruitig]

He's such a whiny little ***. Now he's crying about the head socks on helmets. Pathetic.

I think he is right about that tbh. First the socks are ok, then 2 years later they suddenly have to go. It is a bit ridiculous, no?

As far as his legs go he's looking quite good. Not quite flying like after his altitude training but good enough.

 

[jmdirt]

I have to agree with RE about the S helmet. Is that really what the UCI wants to push on? Unless they can point to a safety issue, who cares about TT helmets. Its fine if they want to require a certain level of 'homologation', even though I don't really care abouyt that either.

*I don't want to bicker over the sematics of 'homologation'. For the sake of my asertion above, I just mean if the UCI wants to require S to make "X" number or "%" avaiable for consumer sale that fine as long as its realistic.

 

[DNP-Old]

He's such a whiny little ***. Now he's crying about the head socks on helmets. Pathetic.

Jorgenson said the same. Now what?

 

[houtdffan]

how does QS allow the break to survive?

 

[zlev11]

elite physiology, pannekoeken brain

 

[Netserk]

I think he is right about that tbh. First the socks are ok, then 2 years later they suddenly have to go. It is a bit ridiculous, no?

As far as his legs go he's looking quite good. Not quite flying like after his altitude training but good enough.

If it was a mistake to approve them, surely it's better to get to the right decision later than never?

 

[DNP-Old]

If it was a mistake to approve them, surely it's better to get to the right decision later than never?

It's populism.

The new helmet of Visma, which the UCI approved themselves in November, is now under investigation, and you cannot tell me anything other than it is due to public outrage over its design.

 

[red_flanders]

In other sports when athletes switch teams they do what they can for their new team to win so why not cycling. Can you image a NFL player not tackling one of his previous team mates, a goalie not blocking a kick from a previous team mate...

I'm not saying that Declerq did anything (didn't go back to watch for it), I'm just saying that it shouldn't be considered 'wrong' or 'off' if he did.

Hmm. I would say there's quite a difference between blocking a team (certainly unethical) during a TTT and tackling an opponent (totally ethical) in an NFL game. One is obviously a key component of the game which happens on every play, the other (would have been) a move which unfairly impeded the other team. I would say holding (or some other penalty) would be a more apt comparison.

I don't for a minute think DeClerq did anything unethical or even mildly wrong. I think Evenepoel was feeling pressure at the end, and as he often does when under pressure, he lashed out. And he lashed out at a guy who honestly seems to have been a good friend and supporter if I read the body language right over the last 5 years, and I think I did. The problem is with Evenepoel acting like a tool.

In my opinion, if he blocked QS intentionally Evenepoel would have been right to call it out. But I don't believe he blocked intentionally for one second.

 

[Netserk]

It's populism.

The new helmet of Visma, which the UCI approved themselves in November, is now under investigation, and you cannot tell me anything other than it is due to public outrage over its design.

Afaik, the helmet is not under investigation. The rules are.

 

[red_flanders]

It's populism.

The new helmet of Visma, which the UCI approved themselves in November, is now under investigation, and you cannot tell me anything other than it is due to public outrage over its design.

Agreed.

I think that's a good thing. It's gotten out of hand and is stupid. The fans have made their voices clear and I'm glad the UCI is responding. Better than them doing nothing and being consistent for its own sake.

The UCI is in charge of the sport. When part of the sport gets out of hand, they should adjust.

 

[DNP-Old]

Afaik, the helmet is not under investigation. The rules are.

The UCI made these rules in regards to helmet dimensions and safety just a year ago. Based on said rules, Visma and Giro made this design, according to said newly implemented rules. You don't think it's rather unfair to now start making up new stuff again, based on what is in all likelihood nothing more than Rodolfo3948394829 shouting some stuff on Twitter?

I find this bureaucratic UCI way of living very pathetic in itself, but they've also just let teams waste some time, energy and money.

 

[Moose McKnuckles]

UCI has reversed their stance on the Specialized head sock and will now permit its use when placed directly in Remco's mouth.

 

[Netserk]

The UCI made these rules in regards to helmet dimensions and safety just a year ago. Based on said rules, Visma and Giro made this design, according to said newly implemented rules. You don't think it's rather unfair to now start making up new stuff again, based on what is in all likelihood nothing more than Rodolfo3948394829 shouting some stuff on Twitter?

I find this bureaucratic UCI way of living very pathetic in itself, but they've also just let teams waste some time, energy and money.

I hope that if they change the rules, it will only be from the beginning of the next season.

 

[jmdirt]

Hmm. I would say there's quite a difference between blocking a team (certainly unethical) during a TTT and tackling an opponent (totally ethical) in an NFL game. One is obviously a key component of the game which happens on every play, the other (would have been) a move which unfairly impeded the other team. I would say holding (or some other penalty) would be a more apt comparison.

I don't for a minute think DeClerq did anything unethical or even mildly wrong. I think Evenepoel was feeling pressure at the end, and as he often does when under pressure, he lashed out. And he lashed out at a guy who honestly seems to have been a good friend and supporter if I read the body language right over the last 5 years, and I think I did. The problem is with Evenepoel acting like a tool.

In my opinion, if he blocked QS intentionally Evenepoel would have been right to call it out. But I don't believe he blocked intentionally for one second.

If Declerq is riding out the TTT (ethical) and not moving out of the way (still ethical IMO, but maybe not 'sporting' in some peoples' eyes) then people/RE get cranky until they look at the situation clearly.

Obviously a huge difference in my comparisons...

 

[Netserk]

As long as Declercq wasn't told by a commissaire to move out of the way, he is free to pick his line however he damn pleases. IF he doesn't make any lateral moves that endanger other riders.

 

[Extinction]

To the contrary, I think a dropped rider should get out of the way of an approaching team to not impede its forward trajectory. While not doing so may not be against the rules, it's unsportsman-like. Plus trying to get in the way will make enemies in the peloton, which isn't the best tactic. In ITTs a rider about to be passed doesn't try to block the one passing him, although he may illegally try to get into his slipstream just long enough to not invoke a penalty.