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

[wheresmybrakes]

I find it funny that come the end of the year, this lad could have more pages than Valverde who has been a pro nearly as long as Remco been alive. You would have thought they have a very similar palmares, or is it the potential this lad has. Loving the drama and entertainment and shall wait for the "this lad will win more world titles than Valverde before he's 25" comments.

 

[Krzysztof_O]

So evil Remco planned to destroy poor Wout from the start.
Seems legit.

 

[peterfin]

In that breakaway with Declercq, I saw Evenepoel pulling way more than Declercq. I feel Declercq didn't have much in the legs anymore, and on the hills he barely hang on. You could say it was necessary that Remco drilled it, to make the Italians chase...

With regards to WvA's role: He wasn't in the wheel for long (like most!) because Evenepoel's drag is more or less non-existent! And yes, van Aert should have told him to slow down a bit. But Evenepoel should also have known that, after they had a 1-minute lead, he shouldn't have drilled it anymore in order to make the gap grow even more. I feel the damage to WvA was already done (by Evenepoel riding so hard) before those 50K, and the final pull of Evenepoel was not really deteriorating WvA or Stuyven, but it didn't help Evenepoel latching on a bit longer on the local laps to set the pace.

Did he know when he made a 1 minute lead? Nobody told him. I follow you that he likely made the extra effort to show how strong he is but I believe he thought that was the best he could do. He was helping the WC TT runner-up to wear out his competitors. Nobody wanted to join him in his effort. From his point of view this must have given him the impression that either he was doing a good job (they were on the limit) or they wanted somehow that the attack failed. He has no earphones so he probably didn't know who was in the group and who was chasing. He did know that Wout and Jasper were there, the two leaders, so this was the right attack for the team.

 

[Volderke]

Did he know when he made a 1 minute lead? Nobody told him.

Largely agree, but just to add: this was the (only / last) moment in the race you could talk with the team car, so it was possible to talk once more about tactics and the race situation.

 

[BlueRoads]

My take at this point: None of them looks good in this story now.

 

[Salvarani]

Insanely talented but he is a bit daft from all the things happening almost in or after every race.

Yes, he is not a robot. He has emotions. It is good to see and hear someone with a personality. Not afraid to showcase it in public and someone who is opinionated.
It does not mean you have to like that side of him though.

I think I like the rider Remco Evenepoel, but maybe not the person as of now. There is room to grow. Still a "kid", even though that aint an excuse if it just keeps repeating itself over and over with new stories for me.

You dont have to agree with a word I have said. If you love everything about him, that is cool.

 

[Volderke]

If you love everything about him, that is cool.

I don't think there are many who love everything about him, but you have to admit: never a dull race with the little kid

 

[Salvarani]

I don't think there are many who love everything about him, but you have to admit: never a dull race with the little kid

Sure, but it will be hard to root for someone in the long run if you start to despise them as a person. No matter how talented they are on a bike.

A "heat in the moment" type of tantrum within a race can slide and is one thing. This I cant respect though. I think it says more about him doing that days after and the action of it, not just what he said.

 

[Zoef-Lightning]

Haha, gotta say I enjoy some nice internal fighting of overpowered teams/nations, too bad they won't race together for 12 months now.

In principle, Remco is right but if he can't make his stance in the teammeeting beforehand clear it's a bit cheap to complain afterwards.
In a way it's a bit amusing how both him and WVA have now missed the opportunity to look the gracious nice guys. Remco should've just played nice along afterwards, say something like "I gave it all, the crowds were amazing, sadly it didn't work out for us" and everyone loves him and he gets his chance probably next time. And WVA could've responded to his complaints with a simple "I understand his frustrations, he probably had the best legs that day, we made tactical mistakes." - gracious leader, story over. Instead he bitches back and looks even more egoistic.
But I guess that's just normal among overly motivated elite athletes, lot of ego clashing, at least its good for entertainment value.

Not cheap at all. Evenepoel did his job. Van Aert and the coach didn't. I would like to point out that all panel members agreed with Evenepoel's criticism. Dirk De Wolf, Adrie Van der poel and Iljo Keisse. The Sporza television reporter and analyser, De Cauwer, did the same before. All specialists in the field.

 

[Zoef-Lightning]

Insanely talented but he is a bit daft from all the things happening almost in or after every race.

Yes, he is not a robot. He has emotions. It is good to see and hear someone with a personality. Not afraid to showcase it in public and someone who is opinionated.
It does not mean you have to like that side of him though.

I think I like the rider Remco Evenepoel, but maybe not the person as of now. There is room to grow. Still a "kid", even though that aint an excuse if it just keeps repeating itself over and over with new stories for me.

You dont have to agree with a word I have said. If you love everything about him, that is cool.

I like both riders, Van Aert and Evenepoel. And even if Van Aert is more sympathetic. This time, I'm dissapointed in the person of Van Aert. He didn't act as a leader.... and Evenepoel let himself be driven to pieces, while Van Aert himself knew that he had no good legs.

 

[Jagartrott]

A "heat in the moment" type of tantrum within a race can slide and is one thing. This I cant respect though. I think it says more about him doing that days after and the action of it, not just what he said.

What do you mean with "this" though? Many people are now interpreting an interview they didn't see or understand.

What he said was "yes" to a yes/no question "Could you have won?" and that he was unclear about the team tactics and went to ask the coach the next day (Saturday) if he could have some freedom if he was in a good situation. The answer was "no", and then he settled for that. That's basically really all he said.

It was the others in the studio that were quite vocal that the tactics were wrong. Evenepoel also didn't say anything about Van Aert.

 

[noob]

Why was Remco in the studio and not Van Aert? And why Iljo Keisse of all people? (I finally found the link but I don't understand a word of what they're saying.)

 

[LucVdB]

A "heat in the moment" type of tantrum within a race can slide and is one thing. This I cant respect though. I think it says more about him doing that days after and the action of it, not just what he said.

Imagine writing for a non-Dutch language media outlet. You've got all these (already overly dramatic) Dutch-language cycling articles you can just rephrase, and none of your readers will ever be the wiser if you exaggerate a tad of fill in some blanks to make the story 'just so'.

When I go and check out what Evenepoel actually said in context, it seems rather reasonable and honest. He could choose not to answer questions of course, but that would be a shame.

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

What do you mean with "this" though? Many people are now interpreting an interview they didn't see or understand.

What he said was "yes" to a yes/no question "Could you have won?" and that he was unclear about the team tactics and went to ask the coach the next day (Saturday) if he could have some freedom if he was in a good situation. The answer was "no", and then he settled for that. That's basically really all he said.

It was the others in the studio that were quite vocal that the tactics were wrong. Evenepoel also didn't say anything about Van Aert.

He did say something about Van Aert. He kind of defended him, saying Wout "acknowledged" after the race, that he should have communicated sooner that he wasn't feeling too great.

 

[Salvarani]

What do you mean with "this" though?

Maybe I just feel and think different about what it is to be a part of a team, even when it does not go well.

 

[Wvv]

For those with strong opinions about Remco's statements: let me clarify again that he was the most low-profile guest in the talk show, he didn't search any controversy and his opinions were impulsively sincere but also quite nuanced. It was the yes or no question round, the moderator and the other guests that provoked some quotes, but not in the way some here seem so eager to claim how he did say those things. Wout's "I had no choice" today was a whole lot more venomous.

Why was Remco in the studio and not Van Aert? And why Iljo Keisse of all people? (I finally found the link but I don't understand a word of what they're saying.)

Iljo is a nice guy and decent talker.
Wout is riding Roubaix on Sunday and was already in France today.

 

[Bonimenier]

Why was Remco in the studio and not Van Aert? And why Iljo Keisse of all people? (I finally found the link but I don't understand a word of what they're saying.)

They invite 4 different people every time the talkshow is being held. Van Aert has been there before as well, multiple times even. So have many other riders. Van Aert probably couldn't because of Roubaix. I believe it was Remco's first time. Keisse (and also Adrie van der Poel and Dirk De Wolf for that matter) are good talkers with outspoken opinions which is perfect for a show like this.

 

[BlueRoads]

Iljo is a nice guy

Sorry to bring this up again, but I'm annoyed by the man's standing...

Apart from that Keisse is Evenepoel's teammate and soon-to-be-DS, so not really a wonder he's more Evenepoel than van Aert.

Adrie van der Poel may not be the biggest van Aert van either, although he's a good rival to beat for his son.

De Wolf may be not totally unbiased as well?

Not saying they are completely wrong, but it doesn't sound like a very van Aert-friendly round.

 

[Salvarani]

I like both riders, Van Aert and Evenepoel. And even if Van Aert is more sympathetic. This time, I'm dissapointed in the person of Van Aert. He didn't act as a leader.... and Evenepoel let himself be driven to pieces, while Van Aert himself knew that he had no good legs.

How did Van Aert not act as leader? How should he have acted? Other than "he should have said earlier he wasnt feeling good".

Instead he actually committed to his leadership all the way to the end. I think a lot of people are twisting this to be selfish of him, but from another perspective it is also about not giving up and doing your best with the given opportunity. It easy to say he shouldnt have had that leadership, just because he didnt win. He took that pressure on himself though, and that is what a leader does.

Van Aert was in the finale of the race with a small group of riders. All on the limit. Maybe he still hoped there was a chance. It is not easy to stop and think in the moment about how you are feeling compared to everyone else. To be able to judge or gauge it. At that moment, you gotta just commit to the cause. You only know when someone accelerate like Ala did, and you cant follow, that it is too late. It was not your day.

I also honestly think Remco drove himself into pieces just to show how strong he was. Whether that was eagerness from his side, bad communication or bad tactics from the team... can be discussed until the end of time.

It was his first WC road race as a pro, that he finished. His time will come and he surely gained a lot of experience from this race and the EC race before that.

I think we will see him in the rainbow colors one day.

 

[danielovichdk2]

Remco is great. He has proven it. Let the man speak his mind. Poor leadership from the coach. Looks bad on WvA since the guy had no legs. Remco did. Should have adjusted during the race.

 

[Wvv]

Sorry to bring this up again, but I'm annoyed by the man's standing...

Apart from that Keisse is Evenepoel's teammate and soon-to-be-DS, so not really a wonder he's more Evenepoel than van Aert.

Adrie van der Poel may not be the biggest van Aert van either, although he's a good rival to beat for his son.

De Wolf may be not totally unbiased as well?

Not saying they are completely wrong, but it doesn't sound like a very van Aert-friendly round.

Iljo is a nice guy. You don't have to like him, but it's true. He's always laidback and well balanced when speaking. You're right about this specific situation being a sad one, really indecent. But let us not continue that discussion here though, just believe that I don't take these things lightly but still feel like this man deserves to be defended.

De Wolf likes Van Aert as much as Evenepoel. Van der Poel senior often shows his respect for Van Aert is a no nonsense speaker. And those two were talking more about the subject than the Quick Step riders present.

 

[Carrick-On-Seine]

Sorry to bring this up again, but I'm annoyed by the man's standing...

Apart from that Keisse is Evenepoel's teammate and soon-to-be-DS, so not really a wonder he's more Evenepoel than van Aert.

Adrie van der Poel may not be the biggest van Aert van either, although he's a good rival to beat for his son.

De Wolf may be not totally unbiased as well?

Not saying they are completely wrong, but it doesn't sound like a very van Aert-friendly round.

Oh poor wee Wout, If you want to use the media to get your agenda across and create an aura you have got to expect it to bite back when you do not deliver.
ETA the previous post suggests that they aren't even that biased against Van Aert

 

[Extinction]

How did Van Aert not act as leader? How should he have acted? Other than "he should have said earlier he wasnt feeling good".

Instead he actually committed to his leadership all the way to the end. I think a lot of people are twisting this to be selfish of him, but from another perspective it is also about not giving up and doing your best with the given opportunity. It easy to say he shouldnt have had that leadership, just because he didnt win. He took that pressure on himself though, and that is what a leader does.

Van Aert was in the finale of the race with a small group of riders. All on the limit. Maybe he still hoped there was a chance. It is not easy to stop and think in the moment about how you are feeling compared to everyone else. To be able to judge or gauge it. At that moment, you gotta just commit to the cause. You only know when someone accelerate like Ala did, and you cant follow, that it is too late. It was not your day.

I also honestly think Remco drove himself into pieces just to show how strong he was. Whether that was eagerness from his side, bad communication or bad tactics from the team... can be discussed until the end of time.

It was his first WC road race as a pro, that he finished. His time will come and he surely gained a lot of experience from this race and the EC race before that.

I think we will see him in the rainbow colors one day.

Well he had the wherewithal to release Styven from any domestique obligations and go for the win at 20k, so clearly he should have been lucid enough to tell Evenepole to not pull so hard at 50 k from the finish.

 

[houtdffan]

WVA seems like nothing more than an entitled spoiled brat.

He gave next to no help to Vinegagard at the tour, despite the latter having dropped Pogacar on Ventoux (any teammate with 2 functioning brain cells would have waited for his leader there and pulled the gap out to more than a minute on the descent), now this.

We have a one day rider who should be a GT super dom thinking he's the best in the world. Despite having Remco ride with his legs shackeled, WVA still flat out failed, because he isn't good enough

 

[noob]

Sorry to bring this up again, but I'm annoyed by the man's standing...

Apart from that Keisse is Evenepoel's teammate and soon-to-be-DS, so not really a wonder he's more Evenepoel than van Aert.

Adrie van der Poel may not be the biggest van Aert van either, although he's a good rival to beat for his son.

De Wolf may be not totally unbiased as well?

Not saying they are completely wrong, but it doesn't sound like a very van Aert-friendly round.

Sorry to be mildly face blind but is the rider looking like "wtf are you doing?" your beloved Alvaro, or is it the Vakoc that went to Alpecin?