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

[Boes]

This boy is ready to La Vuelta, we will win mark my words.

Although I'm a big fan, I don't think he has shown anything to be considering a winning candidate.

After his Giro fail I've said it and I'll say it again: let him lose time in the first week and go for mountain jersey and stage wins in week 2 & 3 in Vuelta AND Tour de France next year. Then try GC Giro 2025 to see if he actually stands a chance to win a grand tour.

 

[Eeslliw]

This boy is ready to La Vuelta, we will win mark my words.

Of course we will win. He will either blow out the race or fail in spectacular fashion. It won't be boring, that's for sure.

 

[Cagalitroso]

I have always been very skeptical of Remco's chances for the tour and his occasional tantrums didn't endear him to me, but seeing what Vingegaard is doing I have no doubts now that Remco can compete, hell I will be rooting for him to go thermonuclear on next year edition.

 

[Lequack]

Vingegaard is the new standard now. Can Remco beat Vingeegard?

Also, Fausto had some fun with a face filter on Remco after the climb

Watch fausto_masnada | Streamable

Watch "fausto_masnada" on Streamable.

streamable.com

 

[houtdffan]

Vingegaard is the new standard now. Can Remco beat Vingeegard?

Also, Fausto had some fun with a face filter on Remco after the climb

Watch fausto_masnada | Streamable

Watch "fausto_masnada" on Streamable.

streamable.com

He already has beat Vingegaard in a pro tour stage race. Mainly through the TT of just 7km

Put an appropriate number of TT kms again in a GT, VIngegaard is no problem

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

He already has beat Vingegaard in a pro tour stage race. Mainly through the TT of just 7km

Put an appropriate number of TT kms again in a GT, VIngegaard is no problem

What we're seeing so far is that, unlike with Pogacar, the Vingegaard of the TDF isn't the same as the one earlier/later in the season. He's also not great at classics or one day races it seems. So beating him in April or May doesn't mean you can beat him in July. As Pogacar painfully discovered.

 

[Big Doopie]

What we're seeing so far is that, unlike with Pogacar, the Vingegaard of the TDF isn't the same as the one earlier/later in the season. He's also not great at classics or one day races it seems. So beating him in April or May doesn't mean you can beat him in July. As Pogacar painfully discovered.

agreed.

for now there are two GT riders very, very far above the rest. in climbing and particularly in proven 3 week recovery that no other riders come close to.

i heard that jumbo is particularly good/superior at fueling their riders during a stage and GT. i fear that QS knows little of these skills (TdS anyone...?)

remco "looking" pretty thin on Instgram, fwiw.

 

[davidsonduke]

He already has beat Vingegaard in a pro tour stage race. Mainly through the TT of just 7km

Put an appropriate number of TT kms again in a GT, VIngegaard is no problem

I'd say the over/under on the number of appropriate TT kms is 200.

 

[houtdffan]

I'd say the over/under on the number of appropriate TT kms is 200.

well, the 2002 and 2003 tours came close to that number. With a prologue, 2 long ITTs, as well as a very long TTT

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

remco "looking" pretty thin on Instgram, fwiw.

Lefevere said he looked ''sharp'' last week as well. Not sure what that means in terms of weight. If it means he's at the weight they wanted him to be (63kg) for the Vuelta. Or if they've changed their minds again and are targeting something below that.

 

[jflemaire]

No more Burgos. Altitude training camp instead.

 

[Valv.Piti]

I think appropriate number of TT is between 70-100 km. I'd love the latter, but it aint happening lads.

Also, Vingegaard is no slouch and even with 200 km ITT with mountains like this Tour, Remco would surely have to climb in the range of Pogacar or a bit worse to stay relevant for the win. Thats not going to happen this year, we all know that - probably never.

Looking at the Vuelta-route, I think it looks really solid for Remco. Wouldn't be surprised at a 15th place, and I wouldn't be surprised if he wins.

 

[Valv.Piti]

No more Burgos. Altitude training camp instead.

Strangely enough, Burgos is one of my absolute favorite races. Watched it on my crappy streams ever since 2011 to try to deal with post-TdF. At that time, I was a vivid Igor Antón and Sami Sanchez fan, but remember Landa winning the big one at Lagunas out of nowhere for me at the time. Its a great race, and Im honestly very disappointed that he doesn't race - I think its the best prep for the Vuelta!

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

Trainers at QS are just very slowly picking the petals off a flower. Going to Burgos. Not going to Burgos. Going to Burgos. Not going to Burgos.
In similar fashion to how they decide his optimal weight.

Or like this:

 

[KZD]

Remco is a huge talent and this Vuelta route is probably a bit better for him than previous ones but after his climbing in the Tour of Switzerland, I doubt that he is going to challenge for the podium which is totally fine given his age, however I expect him to win one stage, likely the TT.

 

[Zoef-Lightning]

Strange that "Burgos"yo-yo.

What could be the reason to change the program three times already ? It had been clear for some time that riding Burgos before the Vuelta was a bad choice. Because Evenepoel would then start in good shape, to be able to win. He would go all the way there too. But we also know that Evenepoel can't keep top shape for weeks. He would then weaken during the second half of the Vuelta.

So now let him get some competition rhythm in the Clasica San Sebastian, without being in top shape. Then again at altitude for the tapering.

 

[Riek s]

Looking at his latest TT position, it looks rediculous compared to the rest of the peleton, not far away from superman position. (note the
balaclava seems less rediculous on him from this picture than what we saw on some of the tour riders )

He looks sharp, not sure if that implies he weights less compared to a month ago given the width of his arms. (think they are twice that of some other riders(/skeletons))

 

[BigCoward]

I have always been very skeptical of Remco's chances for the tour and his occasional tantrums didn't endear him to me, but seeing what Vingegaard is doing I have no doubts now that Remco can compete, hell I will be rooting for him to go thermonuclear on next year edition.

What he did makes you think It's more likely he can compete? How is that possible?

Best case scenario Remco loses 15-20 mins at least over these last 3 weeks.

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

What he did makes you think It's more likely he can compete? How is that possible?

Best case scenario Remco loses 15-20 mins at least over these last 3 weeks.

I assume he means that Vingegaard was nowhere near the level of Evenepoel when he was 22 and so that is is still possible to improve considerably over the next few years.

 

[Big Doopie]

Looking at his latest TT position, it looks rediculous compared to the rest of the peleton, not far away from superman position. (note the
balaclava seems less rediculous on him from this picture than what we saw on some of the tour riders )

He looks sharp, not sure if that implies he weights less compared to a month ago given the width of his arms. (think they are twice that of some other riders(/skeletons))

He IS clearly flexing, so… having said that he is certainly No emaciated skin and bones Vingo and never will be. Question is whether his body type can still win GTs (Hinault won a few).

On Instagram his face looked more chiseled. Then again, what do we really know…

 

[Big Doopie]

I assume he means that Vingegaard was nowhere near the level of Evenepoel when he was 22 and so that is is still possible to improve considerably over the next few years.

I actually would not be surprised if Remco performs much as Pidcock just did. I hope for better yet, but Pidcock does not doubt that he will himself eventually be competing for GTs.

 

[Riek s]

Well with Roglic probably not attending the vuelta, Pogacar not attending... The fastest uphill jumpers are not present. Can work in his favour in the mountains.

 

[Valv.Piti]

I actually would not be surprised if Remco performs much as Pidcock just did. I hope for better yet, but Pidcock does not doubt that he will himself eventually be competing for GTs.

Remco has shown lots and lots more than Pidcock has, especially in the mountains as long as it comes down to one big effort, at least. With Pogacar out, Roglic likely not in top-shape or even attending, Remco could do something BIG.

 

[Big Doopie]

Remco has shown lots and lots more than Pidcock has, especially in the mountains as long as it comes down to one big effort, at least. With Pogacar out, Roglic likely not in top-shape or even attending, Remco could do something BIG.

I really do hope so.

I just look at his body type and it seems so so different from recent GT winners (vingo, hindley, Pog)… hoping I am wrong tho.

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

I really do hope so.

I just look at his body type and it seems so so different from recent GT winners (vingo, hindley, Pog)… hoping I am wrong tho.

Pogacar has a different body type from Vingegaard, he has a much broader upper body and shoulders and doesn't look like the frail climber type either. Roglic looks different still and imho is not that dissimilar from Evenepoel, just a tad taller.