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

[PalcMora]

I think it depends on what goals he wants to set in a year. If he wants to win his first GT and go all in on that he should go to the Giro but that's likely a mistake too. Vuelta vs Tour is a lot closer IMO.

I'm sure his goal next year is to go for the GC and he probably won't be happy with a place off the podium.

Win a GT???
Unhappy with a place off the podium???

I know this has already been said several times before but just let the kid run a couple of GT first and see how he performs on them before placing the expectations at such a high level...

The hype that surrounds him is totally surreal...

 

[Krzysztof_O]

Win a GT???
Unhappy with a place off the podium???

I know this has already been said several times before but just let the kid run a couple of GT first and see how he performs on them before placing the expectations at such a high level...

The hype that surrounds him is totally surreal...

I never said I expected him to win only what I think he wants to achieve next, judging by his comments. Going for the GC means trying to be as high as possible in the classification, Podium placers or top5 guys also go for the GC but don't win (only one can).

 

[wheresmybrakes]

Win a GT???
Unhappy with a place off the podium???

I know this has already been said several times before but just let the kid run a couple of GT first and see how he performs on them before placing the expectations at such a high level...

The hype that surrounds him is totally surreal...

Get used to it in this thread.

 

[Valanga]

Win a GT???
Unhappy with a place off the podium???

I know this has already been said several times before but just let the kid run a couple of GT first and see how he performs on them before placing the expectations at such a high level...

The hype that surrounds him is totally surreal...

If he starts in the Giro or the Vuelta the expectations will be sky high again. No matter how realistic that is.
That's why I'd send him directly to the TdF.

• Not even his biggest fans will think he'll just go on winning the big one from the first time... so no real pressure (unless he smashes everyone in the Dauphiné of course, let's not do that Remco!)
  • The "I'm just here to learn" will actually be believable for this one.
• It's the best fit with his talents
• There is enough room to let him do smaller stage races first, and the Ardennes.
• You always have the Vuelta as a backup plan

 

[Mayomaniac]

Sounds like a really good idea to me. Something like UAE Tour, P-N or T-A, Catalunya, the Ardennes classics and either the Dauphine or Tour de Suisse before a break and building up towards the Vuelta would be a good schedule.

 

[rghysens]

Aiming at a week long stage race with a proper amount of high mountains (dauphine, suisse, cataluna) would be a sensible thing to do, according to me. Because, up until now, he hasn't convinced me at all in the very few proper mountain stages he raced in his career.

 

[Boes]

Vuelta might also be the best preparation for WC TT

 

[johnymax]

Imagine the hype if he wins P-N or any other WT stage race against Pogačar and Roglič. And then we'll have to wait until the Vuelta for his GT season debut... I think the world is not ready.

 

[Krzysztof_O]

Imagine the hype if he wins P-N or any other WT stage race against Pogačar and Roglič. And then we'll have to wait until the Vuelta for his GT season debut... I think the world is not ready.

Pog & Rog can be very strong in early spring already (see Tirreno or Paris-Nice this year) so there's no time of the year when it's easier to win against them.

 

[Carrick-On-Seine]

Pog & Rog can be very strong in early spring already (see Tirreno or Paris-Nice this year) so there's no time of the year when it's easier to win against them.

There is the Ineos tactic though. Prioritise races that Pog and Rog don’t race at. Look at all the early season stage races they won this season and then they do the PR spin claiming it’s one of their most winning seasons ever.

 

[johnymax]

Pog & Rog can be very strong in early spring already (see Tirreno or Paris-Nice this year) so there's no time of the year when it's easier to win against them.

I know. And I genuinely think he can compete with them on courses like P-N or T-A. That should make the hype even bigger. On the other hand, if he flops, the hype will probably take a hit. At least as far as GTs go.

 

[johnymax]

There is the Ineos tactic though. Prioritise races that Pog and Rog don’t race at. Look at all the early season stage races they won this season and then they do the PR spin claiming it’s one of their most winning seasons ever.

I don't think they prioritised races without Pog and Rog. They sent strong squads to every stage race. In T-A there were Thomas and Bernal against Pogi, in Itzulia there were Yates and Carapaz. In P-N also didn't help the abandon of Porte mid race.

It's just that they couldn't match the strongest two riders. Il Giro was probably the only race where one could say "yes, they are going to a big race with one of their strongest riders to take a big win while the strongest riders from the other teams are not around." But having a team as strong as INEOS even that is almost unavoidable.

 

[Red Rick]

I don't think they prioritised races without Pog and Rog. They sent strong squads to every stage race. In T-A there were Thomas and Bernal against Pogi, in Itzulia there were Yates and Carapaz. In P-N also didn't help the abandon of Porte mid race.

It's just that they couldn't match the strongest two riders. Il Giro was probably the only race where one could say "yes, they are going to a big race with one of their strongest riders to take a big win while the strongest riders from the other teams are not around." But having a team as strong as INEOS even that is almost unavoidable.

They send their strongest team to Catalunya, and they brought their strongest Tour disappointments to win the Dauphine, and their last Tour winner to win the Giro.

Hell they 100% did the same last year, with Thomas recalibrating for the Giro and then winning it with TGH.

 

[Carrick-On-Seine]

Gravel time!

Evenepoel to make gravel racing debut at Belgian Waffle Ride in Kansas

Organisers announce Evenepoel and Cattaneo will take part in shorter ride at October 31 event

www.cyclingnews.com

 

[Andre]

I thought he was on vacation. Oh well....Go Remco Go!

 

[red_flanders]

Gravel time!

Evenepoel to make gravel racing debut at Belgian Waffle Ride in Kansas

Organisers announce Evenepoel and Cattaneo will take part in shorter ride at October 31 event

www.cyclingnews.com

Look forward to hearing from some folks what it's like trying to hold THAT wheel. Should be fun!

 

[Carrick-On-Seine]

I thought he was on vacation. Oh well....Go Remco Go!

Maybe he's going to Disneyland afterwards.

 

[Krzysztof_O]

So Remco is taking his shortcomings seriously. Mark my words, Remco will be flying in PR next year. Big boys, be afraid, be very afraid.

 

[Mayomaniac]

Maybe he's going to Disneyland afterwards.

Is he even allowed to go on all on the rides?

 

[Bolder]

Look forward to hearing from some folks what it's like trying to hold THAT wheel. Should be fun!

Yeah! Nice to see him potentially riding for fun.

 

[Red Rick]

Wonder what the appearance fee is.

 

[red_flanders]

Wonder what the appearance fee is.

Interesting question. It's a gravel race in Kansas. Can't be a ton, but hope he gets a good payout. Certainly the only thing that will have me paying any attention to the race.

 

[Oldermanish]

Imagine the hype if he wins P-N or any other WT stage race against Pogačar and Roglič. And then we'll have to wait until the Vuelta for his GT season debut... I think the world is not ready.

Somebody may not be ready for a reality check. Maybe all of Belgium.

 

[Carrick-On-Seine]

Wonder what the appearance fee is.

Is Specialized launching a gravel bike?

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

Somebody may not be ready for a reality check. Maybe all of Belgium.

Would depend on what that reality turns out to be. Maybe a lot of other people might not be ready instead ;-)

I guess we'd know a bit more after a decent showing at TA/PN/TDS/DL/... but on the other hand, it doesn't mean all that much either, when it comes to GT aspirations. Don't forget, Schachmann won PN. McNulty came close to winning Itzulia (until his breakdown), Porte, Fuglsang and Martinez are the last 3 winners of the Dauphiné. If Evenepoel matches his 2020 form, i think people in need of fearing a reality check based on results in those races might not be the Evenepoel faithfuls. The problem is that those races don't necessarily mean much when it comes to winning a GT.