You are over-complicating the issue - Remco's number one goal is the Olympics and he feels the Giro is the best preparation for this goal.
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red_flanders
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I realize this is the thing, I just think the Olympics is such a moving target that it’s hard to imagine basing the season around it. Maybe I’m missing something but it sure seems ripe for cancellation again.
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I'd add that with what is going on in cycling right now, Remco will need this season just to be in the position to catch back up.
The torch relay is currently happening in Japan - That's a big clue that the Olympics are happening.
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Bonimenier
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Obviously that is political. It's North Korea... What is ever not political with them?
red_flanders
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That being said the Osaka leg has been modified due to rising numbers there:
www.espn.com
Tokyo torch relay taken off streets of Osaka
Due to rising COVID-19 cases, the Tokyo Olympic torch relay will not run through the streets of Osaka. Instead the torch will be involved in an event in an Osaka city park, with no spectators.
I guess Lefevere found a new sponsor, since Evenepoel signed a massive 5-year deal, extending his recently extended contract even further.
I also assume this means the team is confident in his recovery.
Remco Evenepoel verlengt contract bij Deceuninck - Quick Step met 5 jaar | sporza
Remco Evenepoel blijft de ploeg van Patrick Lefevere tot eind 2026 trouw. Evenepoel heeft zijn aflopende contract bij Deceuninck - Quick Step verlengd met 5 jaar. Daarmee lijkt er ook duidelijkheid over de toekomst van de ploeg van Patrick Lefevere.sporza.be
View: https://twitter.com/deceuninck_qst/status/1379420627900239878
QS might need to buy or develop a few mountain domestiques if they are going to hitch themselves to Remco for the next 5 years. But on the other hand a TDF team with Alaf, Almeida and Remco plus Asgreen and a couple of workers could give a lot of teams nightmares and would make for thrilling races. No place for Bennett in this scenario, however.
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More chance of Bennet getting green than any others for GC. Depends what they want, top tens like Movistar or greens like Bora, even though Sagan won more greens with Tinkoff and Liqui.
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While those teams riding for GC with Contador and Nibali.
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Compared with San Juan 2019 even I can see it though. If you have his current look in mind and see the video from back then, he looks super chubby.
View: https://www.instagram.com/p/CM1fRPHHg1s/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
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I'm mostly worried about Evenepoel having some stupid neutral zone crash or something without getting comfortable in the peloton again first and ruining another season unneccessarily.
The Tour is even more notorious for that sort of thing than the Giro.
I agree with you on everything though. Regardless of his season goals, sending him to the Giro cold is a baffling decision imo. I don't get it, but if it works out then it's fine with me.
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Back there he was 64+kg. San Juan 2020 he had just given a press conference where he claimed to be 4kg lighter. In algarve/Burgos 2020 he was around 61 because he still wanted to lose some weight going into the Giro and he wanted to weigh 60 or less there. After his accident (where he was supposed to be close to his Giro weight) he spent weeks in bed and lost a lot of muscle. After training again, he stated he was even skinnier than ever... and then his relapse occurred (i think he even said he how much less he weighed), and they knew he had been too skinny for his own good, it hampered his healing process. So i can't imagine he's "as skinny" now. I think he'll be more in line with what he was during summer last year.Compared with San Juan 2019 even I can see it though. If you have his current look in mind and see the video from back then, he looks super chubby.
View: https://www.instagram.com/p/CM1fRPHHg1s/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
One thing though, black/dark clothes make you look skinnier. Last year had a lot of white in the kit, so it's quite likely he simply looks skinnier than last year without actually being skinnier.
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Masnada didn't get the memo from DQS that they are acting like the Giro is a preparation race for the summer.
red_flanders
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As a photographer I also know the effect of different focal lengths on a lens, or different lighting conditions and angles will make an incredible difference in how heavy someone looks. Take the video above, fully lit with artificial light, and no shadows. Predominantly white kit. Going to make someone look a lot heavier than side-lit in full sun with a dark kit.
All of what you say makes sense, he probably is skinnier, but I was responding to folks reacting to a single recent photo. Photos can certainly also be accurate and it’s normal to see it and wonder, but I can’t arrive at a conclusion from one photo.
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From what i read, it doesn't differ that much from what had been said before. Obviously he wants to win if he can and he is leaving nothing to chance to increase his chances. But he doesn't know if/how he'll cope with the third week, even if he seems to be recovered fully. In case he cracks, the team will work for Almeida.
red_flanders
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I thought Bernal was going to do the Giro? He’s not going to be easy to beat, even if all goes well, which I kinda doubt.
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I'm not someone looking too closely at rider's weights, but Evenepoel looks much skinnier than before the accident. But it could be that he's just more grown up and naturally lost the baby-fat in his face which shouldn't have much consequences for his weight.
red_flanders
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Almeida is going to be protected or not. If he works for Remco for a good chunk of the race it’s not going to be easy to just transition into a leader’s role, he’ll be down on time and tired. If he’s protected that makes things a bit more complicated for the team and Remco earlier in the race. Interesting choices, as an on form Remco seems on another level than the very good but not incredible Almeida.
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I don't think that's the plan. He's already had a tough schedule, and he's supposed to do the Ardennes too. Romandie and Suisse for him.
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btw, yesterday OG Eddy said he didn't think Evenepoel could win the Giro considering the circumstances (soon after his recovery without prep races).
Like Blue said, it wasn't the plan. Vansevenant was likely to ride the Vuelta later this year. I haven't heard of any changes so far.
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