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

[Andre]

1,03 to make up in two days...not impossible.

 

[Berniece]

1,03 to make up in two days...not impossible.

Not sure. I can see him beat Skjelmose because that’s only 10s, but those 40snob Jorgensen…

 

[Venge 82]

I think he was too worried about a possible Roglic counter, who looks very human currently.

I do agree 100%. I think Remco thought Roglic was stronger which ultimately proved not to be the case. Roglic often rides defensively, but this time it was really because he's just not strong enough.

Honestly, I believe Remco is not at his top level neither. Good, but not top.

 

[Elos Anjos]

Some days ago the Forum was at the verge of imploding due to a sh!tstorm between Remco and Roglic fandoms and now they will probably not even make the podium. Cycling is beautiful.

Signed: A Roglic fan.

 

[Berniece]

Some days ago the Forum was at the verge of imploding due to a sh!tstorm between Remco and Roglic fandoms and now they will probably not even make the podium. Cycling is beautiful.

Signed: A Roglic fan.

What an attitude. You can learn a bit from Roglic, he wouldn't give up that easily. Neither will Evenepoel btw. He'll definitely finish on the podium, and maybe even win it.

 

[EddyMazzoleni]

Tomorrow the stage is quite straight forward, it's going to go uphill, he doesn't need to count on anyone else. Just let SOQ blow things up and then ride his own pace until people drop.

Honestly, i don't want to see him at the front pulling the GC group anymore, he needs to learn to race with his head. He is 5th now, let the ones in front close the gap if there is any significant attack and then counter.
The one i would keep an eye on is Skjelmose, if they can get a gap, they can put some serious time in the other contender and he is close enough that you can try to overtake him with late attack/bonus. Also Buitrago, he may be an ally now that he is out of GC and probaly will go for another stage win, and he was arguably the strongest uphill so far.

 

[SHAD0W93]

What an attitude. You can learn a bit from Roglic, he wouldn't give up that easily. Neither will Evenepoel btw. He'll definitely finish on the podium, and maybe even win it.

I think he needs to get within 20-30 seconds of the overall tomorrow, the more the better. Quickstep should make everything as hard as possible, maybe even Bora depending on Roglic.

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

Honestly, i don't want to see him at the front pulling the GC group anymore, he needs to learn to race with his head. He is 5th now, let the ones in front close the gap if there is any significant attack and then counter.
The one i would keep an eye on is Skjelmose, if they can get a gap, they can put some serious time in the other contender and he is close enough that you can try to overtake him with late attack/bonus. Also Buitrago, he may be an ally now that he is out of GC and probaly will go for another stage win, and he was arguably the strongest uphill so far.

That's what he tried today as well as two days ago. Didn't work too well. If he wants to win this he'll need to grab the bull by the horns himself.

 

[EddyMazzoleni]

That's what he tried today as well as two days ago. Didn't work too well. If he wants to win this he'll need to grab the bull by the horns himself.

Did he?
Attacking over the top of Roglic on the steep section of today's climb or trying to sprint across to Skjelmose and Jorgensen was something i would have enjoyed as aggressive racing. He did none of the two, he just paced a la Indurain, but in a race where he didn't win the TT

 

[houtdffan]

Honestly, i don't want to see him at the front pulling the GC group anymore, he needs to learn to race with his head. He is 5th now, let the ones in front close the gap if there is any significant attack and then counter.
The one i would keep an eye on is Skjelmose, if they can get a gap, they can put some serious time in the other contender and he is close enough that you can try to overtake him with late attack/bonus. Also Buitrago, he may be an ally now that he is out of GC and probaly will go for another stage win, and he was arguably the strongest uphill so far.

Then Remco will be dropped

He climbs his best when he dictates the tempo from the front. Not playing the change the rhythm games that the others play

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

Did he?
Attacking over the top of Roglic on the steep section of today's climb or trying to sprint across to Skjelmose and Jorgensen was something i would have enjoyed as aggressive racing. He did none of the two, he just paced a la Indurain, but in a race where he didn't win the TT

Yes he did? He waited for UAE to close the gap to Plapp and Buitrago. He waited for Plapp ao. to help get back to Jorgensen, Skjelmose and McNulty.

 

[EddyMazzoleni]

Yes he did? He waited for UAE to close the gap to Plapp and Buitrago. He waited for Plapp ao. to help get back to Jorgensen, Skjelmose and McNulty.

But he was still the favourite, now he is 1 min back in GC, people won't be looking at him to close every gap as before. If he goes to the front he should be to drop people, not to bring someone back. In general, i think i should be more decisive, not pull a Mas impression by going to the front and then look back. And i know, it feels strange to say that about Remco

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

But he was still the favourite, now he is 1 min back in GC, people won't be looking at him to close every gap as before. If he goes to the front he should be to drop people, not to bring someone back. In general, i think i should be more decisive, not pull a Mas impression by going to the front and then look back. And i know, it feels strange to say that about Remco

I doubt Skjelmose is going to start working while Evenepoel is chilling at the back just because he has 10s on Evenepoel. McNulty blew himself up in spectacular fashion in UAE Tour hardly a week ago, i doubt he considers himself the favorite to win the overall either, with Plapp and Jorgenson only half a minute down. Plapp isn't going to do any work, just like today. The only rival that actually believes he has this for the taking is Jorgenson.

 

[Red Rick]

How did the gap go to a minute? I couldn't watch the race.

To me the tactical mistake starts with focusing so heavily on Roglic, especially when he's attacking alone. He's not gonna stay away solo. Same for other riders. But a combination of 3 really strong riders in Jorgensen, McNulty and Skjelmose is really dangerous.

Secondly, gauging by his sprint at the end, I think he left too much in the tank in the 20km before.

 

[AmRacer]

How did the gap go to a minute? I couldn't watch the race.

To me the tactical mistake starts with focusing so heavily on Roglic, especially when he's attacking alone. He's not gonna stay away solo. Same for other riders. But a combination of 3 really strong riders in Jorgensen, McNulty and Skjelmose is really dangerous.

Secondly, gauging by his sprint at the end, I think he left too much in the tank in the 20km before.

No team wanted to reel in the escapees.
They lost lots of time when Vlasov took turns.

 

[Red Rick]

No team wanted to reel in the escapees.
They lost lots of time when Vlasov took turns.

Vlasov hasn't been good all race.

I know taking turns with other riders is common cycling wisdom here, but I think it's a mistake to not realise when this is a mistake. Evenepoel is the best rouleur in the world, he should back himself to keep the gap down on his own. Especially because Roglic is quite far behind on GC and not in the best shape.

 

[kn0s]

See talk of McNulty implosion in UAE several places and used as reasoning for him not going the distance. But wasn't he sick? Not really a good measuring stick then.

 

[EddyMazzoleni]

I doubt Skjelmose is going to start working while Evenepoel is chilling at the back just because he has 10s on Evenepoel. McNulty blew himself up in spectacular fashion in UAE Tour hardly a week ago, i doubt he considers himself the favorite to win the overall either, with Plapp and Jorgenson only half a minute down. Plapp isn't going to do any work, just like today. The only rival that actually believes he has this for the taking is Jorgenson.

Well of course Skjelmose won't just tow Evenepoel around, but if they are in a groupit would be reasonable to at least work togheter. As far as Mcnulty goes, if Jorgenson attack, him or his domestique will try to close it, no way they just play dumb 'cause i blew up in UAE.

 

[EddyMazzoleni]

How did the gap go to a minute? I couldn't watch the race.

To me the tactical mistake starts with focusing so heavily on Roglic, especially when he's attacking alone. He's not gonna stay away solo. Same for other riders. But a combination of 3 really strong riders in Jorgensen, McNulty and Skjelmose is really dangerous.

Secondly, gauging by his sprint at the end, I think he left too much in the tank in the 20km before.

On the uphill Remco was able to keep it stable between 10-15 second wih just a few turns from Vlasov and one by Bernal. It was on descent that they lost the majority of time.

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

Well of course Skjelmose won't just tow Evenepoel around, but if they are in a groupit would be reasonable to at least work togheter. As far as Mcnulty goes, if Jorgenson attack, him or his domestique will try to close it, no way they just play dumb 'cause i blew up in UAE.

You mean McNulty's teammates should do the work, like they did when they let Buitrago and Plapp go? Like i said, Evenepoel already tried that. If he wants it, he'll have to come out swinging. When you want to play it smart, it comes down to tactics, it is not the strong suit of Evenepoel+ Lodewyck. Everybody wants to play it smart, so you are entering a game where you have a lot of rivals and possible outcomes.

 

[Berniece]

You mean McNulty's teammates should do the work, like they did when they let Buitrago and Plapp go? Like i said, Evenepoel already tried that. If he wants it, he'll have to come out swinging. When you want to play it smart, it comes down to tactics, it is not the strong suit of Evenepoel+ Lodewyck. Everybody wants to play it smart, so you are entering a game where you have a lot of rivals and possible outcomes.

Also most teams aren’t strong enough. If you are stronger than the rest you can ride away in this race.

 

[SHAD0W93]

@Logic-is-your-friend we want ol’ English back.

 

[EddyMazzoleni]

You mean McNulty's teammates should do the work, like they did when they let Buitrago and Plapp go? Like i said, Evenepoel already tried that. If he wants it, he'll have to come out swinging. When you want to play it smart, it comes down to tactics, it is not the strong suit of Evenepoel+ Lodewyck. Everybody wants to play it smart, so you are entering a game where you have a lot of rivals and possible outcomes.

But the situation in GC was different after stage 3, Mcnulty had 18 sec over Evenepoel, now he has more than a minute. Also RE is not as dominant as the other thought.
That said, i would be happy if Remco goes to the front and completly destroys everybody, but given his current form and todays climb i can't see it happen, thus the requirment to play it a bit smarter.

 

[Venge 82]

Besides the fact that he was probably gambling too much (he admitted that he rode against his nature and that he felt strong), I also believe the 3 attackers took more risks in the descent. I have the impression that Remco is avoiding those risks.

 

[Andre]

Vlasov hasn't been good all race.

I know taking turns with other riders is common cycling wisdom here, but I think it's a mistake to not realise when this is a mistake. Evenepoel is the best rouleur in the world, he should back himself to keep the gap down on his own. Especially because Roglic is quite far behind on GC and not in the best shape.

Yes, and Remco admitted that on the interview.