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

[groogster]

IMO he shouldn't do the Giro/TDF double. It's almost impossible to peak for the 2 GT and the physical stress on his body may take a toll in the future! Looking at the almost certain 3 iTT stages at next year´s Giro i would bet all my money on the Italian GT for Remco next year and then in 2024 aiming to TDF

 

[Big Doopie]

2023

Primary goals

• LBL
• Giro
• Lombardia
• Worlds ITT

Secondary goals

• Itzulia
• Amstel
• Belgian National RR Championship
• European RR Championship
• Worlds RR

 

[houtdffan]

I'd say TA/PN as a secondary goal as well. No reason he cannot win that

Even FW is possible if he attacks on the second Mur de Huy climb

 

[tobydawq]

2023

Primary goals

• LBL
• Giro
• Lombardia
• Worlds ITT

Secondary goals

• Itzulia
• Amstel
• Belgian National RR Championship
• European RR Championship
• Worlds RR

Why would anyone have WCTT over WCRR on their list of goals if they have a chance of winning the latter?

 

[Wyndbrook]

Why would anyone have WCTT over WCRR on their list of goals if they have a chance of winning the latter?

Its controllable, Glasgow RR potentially could be a wet, chaotic bunfight.

 

[Red Rick]

2023

Primary goals

• LBL
• Giro
• Lombardia
• Worlds ITT

Secondary goals

• Itzulia
• Amstel
• Belgian National RR Championship
• European RR Championship
• Worlds RR

I think periodization makes it nearly impossible to do Itzulia and ardennes before the Giro. Most GC riders go Tirreno-Catalunya with altitude between Catalunya and LBL or something or they go Tirreno - Trentino with altitude inbetween.

I think before the Giro a full Ardennes schedule is probably too much. I would swap Itzullia and Amstel for Sanremo honestly.

 

[Big Doopie]

Why would anyone have WCTT over WCRR on their list of goals if they have a chance of winning the latter?

Ah that’s just me. I would like him to get all possible championships. He has three so far. And has medalled in the other three.

 

[Extinction]

Why would anyone think doing Giro/Tour double is a good idea for Evenepoel?

Fausto Coppi, Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault, Miguel Indurain, Marco Pantani

 

[Berflamand]

Ah that’s just me. I would like him to get all possible championships. He has three so far. And has medalled in the other three.

It's not just you. He actually confirmed it himself that he wants to make the WCTT a real target because he wants to check that one off too.

 

[Andre]

Sorting based on replies
Contador - 50708
Nibali -19119
Froome - 18758
Evenepoel - 12404
4th on the all time list at 22 but a lot of ground to cover to become forum conqueror.

So I think that's about 4,000 responses a year. In less than 2 years he'll be in second place, unless he continues hie rise in popularity, which then will bring him even closer to Contador pretty fast.

 

[Andre]

Looking at how strong Mas was today in Lombardia and in these last Italian races, makes one realize how formidable Remco was to distance him in the mountains at the Vuelta. Looks like next year is going to be quite the spectacle. Let's hope for some epic battles between the Bigs.

I was about to say the same thing

 

[Andre]

Well he better start getting used to it, because in whatever capacity he takes on the Tour, he will have the Belgian media alone obsessively on his back. The casual approach is precisely what I was referring to in my initial post. Let's just say for argument's sake he wins the Giro, he could then go to the Tour without pressure on himself or the team for experience. The media circus at that point becomes a obnoxious side show, comic diversion. Can this be done? Can Remco and his team actually show up at the Tour blasé about his performance beyond a learning curve and impervious to all the media hype and attention, to see then how his head and legs respond to it all? I think it's possible with Jackebson helped for the sprints and Evenepoel given a free card to play without pressure for results.

Remco doesn't enter races without any intention of winning it.

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

He could if he wanted to. He could lose 15 minutes on purpose the first day, and it would be clear to both press, spectators and rivals what his intentions would be. He could do some work for Alaphilippe and Jakobsen in some stages, and then go in breaks. In the off-chance that he would be able to outclimb Froome and Meintjes, he could even prove he can win the TDF. Because i have heard that that is all it takes to prove you can win the TDF.

But he could if he wanted to. I just don't think he would. There would always be this "what if" feeling and he does seem like the rider who would rather fail trying, than not even try.

 

[Red Rick]

Okay so what if Evenepoel can win a Grand Tour.

But can he beat Alberto Contadors record time on Verbier?

 

[Big Doopie]

...But can he beat Alberto Contadors record time on Verbier?

why would anyone want to compare themselves to one of the most embarrassing/joke rides in cycling history?

i am confused.

 

[sir fly]

I'm wondering if the attractive (but demanding) Giro with the Vuelta will be a better choice for his (GT) development next year, or if he right away profiles himself as a single (targeted) GT rider a season, heads to the Tour honoring and pleasing organizers with the stripes and closes summer in Glasgow.
The Tour route should be a big factor, but neither the Worlds should be disregarded in his final decision.

 

[Carrick-On-Seine]

I'm wondering if the attractive (but demanding) Giro with the Vuelta will be a better choice for his (GT) development next year, or if he right away profiles himself as a single (targeted) GT rider a season, heads to the Tour honoring and pleasing organizers with the stripes and closes summer in Glasgow.
The Tour route should be a big factor, but neither the Worlds should be disregarded in his final decision.

Leaves time for Lombardia.

 

[Valv.Piti]

Okay so what if Evenepoel can win a Grand Tour.

But can he beat Alberto Contadors record time on Verbier?

Most likely, yeah.

 

[Bonimenier]

I'm wondering if the attractive (but demanding) Giro with the Vuelta will be a better choice for his (GT) development next year, or if he right away profiles himself as a single (targeted) GT rider a season, heads to the Tour honoring and pleasing organizers with the stripes and closes summer in Glasgow.
The Tour route should be a big factor, but neither the Worlds should be disregarded in his final decision.

He's going to do neither of those 2 scenarios.

 

[sir fly]

He's going to do neither of those 2 scenarios.

What's the third option?

 

[Bonimenier]

What's the third option?

Giro without Vuelta

 

[sir fly]

Giro without Vuelta

That would make more than a year between GTs if he eyes the 2024 Tour. Unusual.

 

[Andy schleck]

Okay so what if Evenepoel can win a Grand Tour.

But can he beat Alberto Contadors record time on Verbier?

No. But pogacar can do that.

 

[red_flanders]

That would make more than a year between GTs if he eyes the 2024 Tour. Unusual.

True, but worked pretty well the last time.

 

[sir fly]

True, but worked pretty well the last time.

Not sure how comparable the circumstances are.
The experience tells that catching a three-week racing rhythm is vital for successful perennial targeting.
Maybe Evenepoel optimally operates in irregular periodization.