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

[Bonimenier]

The politics of that one is going to be interesting to watch. Will Van Aert declare himself team leader over the Alpecin guys a month beforehand?
It’ll probably end up as another wasted effort for Remco and Tim.

He's definitely a way better last or penultimate lead out man than Merlier and Philipsen so he can battle with Rickaert for that.

 

[yaco]

I doubt Remco will make the trip to Australia if there is a flat parcours - I'm not even sure VWA will make the trip - Belgium may put their eggs in the Merlier and Philipsen duo.

 

[Bonimenier]

I doubt Remco will make the trip to Australia if there is a flat parcours - I'm not even sure VWA will make the trip - Belgium may put their eggs in the Merlier and Philipsen duo.

Both of them will for the TT more than likely though. I guess Remco might do the mixed relay with Lampaert and Campenaerts if he doesn't do the RR.

 

[Valanga]

Do we know the track of the 2022 RR yet? That Mount Keira thing they have there in Wollongong looks perfect for Remco.

 

[steffr222]

Do we know the track of the 2022 RR yet? That Mount Keira thing they have there in Wollongong looks perfect for Remco.

No, we don‘t. But I guess it won‘t be a hard a course, I suppose it to be a rather flat one that fits better to Ewan and also Matthews..

 

[kingjr]

No, we don‘t. But I guess it won‘t be a hard a course, I suppose it to be a rather flat one that fits better to Ewan and also Matthews..

Nah, they'll make one for Richie Porte to end his career with a bang. Believe.

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

According to HLN an artpiece/statue that was inspired by Evenepoel when he won with one hand in the air was revealed in Portugal on Alto Da Foia.

Original source: https://algarveinformativo.blogspot.com/2021/09/monchique-presta-homenagem-ao-ciclista.html?m=1

Monchique pays tribute to the cyclist with a sculpture on top of Foia

Also known as the 'Cycling Mecca', Foia, the highest point in southern Portugal, in the heart of the Serra de Monchique, is one of the most popular places for fans of nature and adventure sports. Among waterfalls, streams and mountains that make up the best routes on bicycle, on or off the various mountain bike, Enduro and Downhill trails, the Serra de Monchique represents an icon and a unique landscape that has been asserting itself in one of the main destinations and a tourist attraction for lovers of two wheels.

Foia has been the scene of the most competitive sporting events with the passage through this mystical place of the most important stars of the bicycle, such as Joaquim Agostinho, Alberto Contador, Vítor Gamito, Cândido Barbosa, Amaro Antunes, Joaquim Gomes, José Azevedo, Delmino Pereira, Geraint Thomas, Tadej Pogäcar, Primox Roglic, among others. It was, however, in 2020, in the second stage of the Volta ao Algarve by bicycle, almost always decisive in choosing the final winner of this important international cycling event, that, a few meters from the goal, Remco Evenepoel crushed all the competition and won for the first time , no longer leaving the yellow jersey and winning the comeback that year.

The image of Remco Evenepoel's arrival at the top of the mountain, celebrating the victory laden with effort, was chosen by Rui André, Mayor of Monchique, to mark what will certainly be a place to celebrate and record such an important achievement - the arrival to the Top of the Algarve. The artist invited to carry out this work was Carlos de Oliveira Correia, an experienced and recognized artist with a vast work throughout the region. The inauguration took place on September 22, at an event attended by Delmino Pereira, president of the Portuguese Cycling Federation, Ricardo Rodrigues, president of the Algarve Cycling Association, and the author of the sculpture.

 

[Lequack]

First statue at 21. Have there been younger cyclists with their own statues?

 

[red_flanders]

This is pretty amazing. The atmosphere there must have been incredible:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1442448225697366022

View: https://twitter.com/evenepoelremco/status/1442448225697366022?s=21

 

[johnymax]

Nah, they'll make one for Richie Porte to end his career with a bang. Believe.

Three times up the Willunga hill should be enough for Richie to destroy the field.

 

[Sciatic]

This is pretty amazing. The atmosphere there must have been incredible:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1442448225697366022

View: https://twitter.com/evenepoelremco/status/1442448225697366022?s=21

Wow, would have been so fun to be there!

 

[Rackham]

Evenepoel said he had the legs to become world champion: Evenepoel critique certains choix tactiques après le Mondial de Louvain: "Une occasion manquée pour moi de devenir champion du monde" (lalibre.be)

The pertinent parts: He said his team orders were blurry on Friday (& he had a bad night sleep because of it), so he asked the management team on Saturday whether under certain scenarios he could be given the possibility of going for the win, the answer was "no". They said he was a simple teammate & both WvA & Stuyven were above him in the hierarchy. His orders were to jump on anything & everything considered "dangerous" & make sure no group went up the road without a Belgian rider in it.

Then during the race he asked one final time after the ascent of the Smeysberg whether he had his chance, and the answer was once again no. So he did his work for WvA & Stuyven. He then told Sven Vanthourenhout (one of the Belgian coaches) after he race that this was a missed opportunity for him to become world champion.

WvA meanwhile "liked" a comment by the journalist Luc Kempen who criticised Evenepoel's comments with a "he could have refused his selection" Tweet:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1443472555843670016

View: https://twitter.com/luckempen/status/1443472555843670016


That's quite an interesting "ambiance" in the Belgian team right there.

 

[Netserk]

Then during the race he asked one final time after the ascent of the Smeysberg whether he had his chance, and the answer was once again no. So he did his work for WvA & Stuyven.

Which would explain why he went so hard and emptied himself with still two laps to go: to prove a point.

Quite poor managing from the Belgian team car.

 

[noob]

Evenepoel said he had the legs to become world champion: Evenepoel critique certains choix tactiques après le Mondial de Louvain: "Une occasion manquée pour moi de devenir champion du monde" (lalibre.be)

The pertinent parts: He said his team orders were blurry on Friday (& he had a bad night sleep because of it), so he asked the management team on Saturday whether under certain scenarios he could be given the possibility of going for the win, the answer was "no". They said he was a simple teammate & both WvA & Stuyven were above him in the hierarchy. His orders were to jump on anything & everything considered "dangerous" & make sure no group went up the road without a Belgian rider in it.

Then during the race he asked one final time after the ascent of the Smeysberg whether he had his chance, and the answer was once again no. So he did his work for WvA & Stuyven. He then told Sven Vanthourenhout (one of the Belgian coaches) after he race that this was a missed opportunity for him to become world champion.

WvA meanwhile "liked" a comment by the journalist Luc Kempen who criticised Evenepoel's comments with a "he could have refused his selection" Tweet:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1443472555843670016

View: https://twitter.com/luckempen/status/1443472555843670016


That's quite an interesting "ambiance" in the Belgian team right there.

so WWA thought Remco could have stayed home, since he didn't like the tactics? And he likes that comment after himself having failed?! Whoa!

 

[noob]

And Remco worked then in resentment to prove a point

Whoa wow

 

[SafeBet]

I think the time is ripe for Evenepoel to chenge nationalities.
Remo Evenepoli sounds like a beautiful Italian name from a century ago. Just saying.

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

I think the time is ripe for Evenepoel to chenge nationalities.
Remo Evenepoli sounds like a beautiful Italian name from a century ago. Just saying.

While i'm not a fan of a passive agressive sob story on TV, the team tactics were simply atrocious and Van Aert has certainly lost more esteem in my regard. It's clear Vanthourenhout had made certain promises to Van Aert well ahead of the selection, he was even asked for his opinion on the selected riders. They had not taken into account the fact that Evenepoel would come back to form as fiercely as he did. And making Evenepoel an actual option did not fit well into the plans and promises between Vanthourenhout and Van Aert. Otherwise, no-one in his right mind would overlook Evenepoel as an actual option on this course.

He then told Sven Vanthourenhout (one of the Belgian coaches) after he race that this was a missed opportunity for him to become world champion.

This is inaccurate. He said it was a missed opportunity to become world champion, for "multiple guys".

 

[topcat]

Thank God for Ala, Remco and MAL. After Contador and Nibali, I was afraid cycling would be dull. But we have several attacking controversial characters to cheer for. The boring riders are there to highlight the contrast.
Delgado, Contador, Nibali, Gilbert, Alaphilippe, Remco, MvdP and MAL. (The topcat list).

 

[Flurk1982]

so WWA thought Remco could have stayed home, since he didn't like the tactics? And he likes that comment after himself having failed?! Whoa!

I think the like of Wout should be interpreted

so WWA thought Remco could have stayed home, since he didn't like the tactics? And he likes that comment after himself having failed?! Whoa!

I think the like of WVA means that he agrees that the tasks for REV were unclear. He explained in pre-WC interviews that REV needs to be used as an attacker in the final. The Belgian coach is a CX coach, nothing more. What a wasted opportunity this was for the Belgian team.

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

I think the like of Wout should be interpreted

I think the like of WVA means that he agrees that the tasks for REV were unclear. He explained in pre-WC interviews that REV needs to be used as an attacker in the final. The Belgian coach is a CX coach, nothing more. What a wasted opportunity this was for the Belgian team.

Unlikely. Wout also liked some other tweets.

 

[Wvv]

To be honest, Remco wasn't making bold statements and most of the time just listened to the others guests (Iljo Keisse, Adrie van der Poel, Dirk De Wolf) arguing about the WC and other stuff. He was laid back and did not seek controversy at all. So these articles are again an example of how quotes can twist interpretation.

Anyway, it's certain that the Belgian tactics were too narrowminded.

 

[Berflamand]

The most striking thing for me is that national coach Vanthourenhout liked the tweet from Hans Vandeweghe (saying that Merckx was right all along) as well. I think that's highly unprofessional and inappropriate.

 

[Krzysztof_O]

Shots fired by Remco, it seems. Understandably he isn't happy with the WC tactics and outcome. It can't be denied that he's been in a very good form lately and could have fought for a medal. The team burned him to no effect.

 

[Rackham]

The most striking thing for me is that national coach Vanthourenhout liked the tweet from Hans Vandeweghe (saying that Merckx was right all along) as well. I think that's highly unprofessional and inappropriate.

I noticed Richard Plugge (WvA's boss at Jumbo) also liked that same Tweet.

"Tweet like" wars are real.

 

[Tim Cahill]

I love comically pre-emptive honours, that statue is the cycling equivalent of Birmingham returning Jude Bellingham's shirt number or Obama's 2009 Nobel peace prize.