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

[Extinction]

At this point in time, Pog seems unbeatable though.
Would be happy if Remco is not be dropped by Pog at this point. (Remco isn't really known for continious extreme accelerations like Pog is).
But if LBL explodes early as well, that might be in remco's favour.

Remco isn't Tom Pidcockwzytzz

 

[Extinction]

There are bigger fish to fry at Liege...

 

[Panda Claws]

I dreamt that Evenepoel wins

 

[Blanco]

It’s a bit sad we don’t get a major showdown between the absolute top riders this year (or do we?).

I would have loved to see Remco go toe to toe with Van Aert, Pogacar, Van der Poel, Pidcock and Roglic. Spice it up with Ganna, Kung, Benooth, Kragh and some other top riders and you have a classic. Favorite course would be a mix between Paris-Roubaix, Strade-Bianche and Ronde. One ride to settle all scores

He is not in that category.

 

[red_flanders]

Hard to see how even Evenepoel will be able to deal with the current monster that is Pogačar. Sheesh!

 

[Big Doopie]

Hard to see how even Evenepoel will be able to deal with the current monster that is Pogačar. Sheesh!

In many ways I agree.

Pog’s results this season so far are simply superb.

However, his Amstel win is no more dominant than remco at San Sebastián last year (and arguably less so).

Pog the favorite? Of course. However I would be surprised (and disappointed) if Remco doesn’t provide competition.

 

[johnymax]

In many ways I agree.

Pog’s results this season so far are simply superb.

However, his Amstel win is no more dominant than remco at San Sebastián last year (and arguably less so).

Pog the favorite? Sure. Should Remco provide stiffer competition? I believe so.

I have Pogačar slightly ahead for Liege but not by much. I think Remco in Catalunya form doesn't get dropped today or maybe for a handful of seconds but chases back on the flat. On the other hand I don't see how Remco drops Pogačar in LBL if Pogi doesn't do a tactical mistake of letting him go. So because of a better sprint the Slovenian will always be a favourite to win between the two if both are in top or close to top form.

 

[red_flanders]

In many ways I agree.

Pog’s results this season so far are simply superb.

However, his Amstel win is no more dominant than remco at San Sebastián last year (and arguably less so).

Pog the favorite? Of course. However I would be surprised (and disappointed) if Remco doesn’t provide competition.

I'm sure he'll provide competition. Hard to see past Pog, however.

 

[houtdffan]

I have Pogačar slightly ahead for Liege but not by much. I think Remco in Catalunya form doesn't get dropped today or maybe for a handful of seconds but chases back on the flat. On the other hand I don't see how Remco drops Pogačar in LBL if Pogi doesn't do a tactical mistake of letting him go. So because of a better sprint the Slovenian will always be a favourite to win between the two if both are in top or close to top form.

The way Remco was sprinting in Catalunya, I wouldn't put it past Remco to outsprint Pog, especially if he makes it a long range sprint

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

The way Remco was sprinting in Catalunya, I wouldn't put it past Remco to outsprint Pog, especially if he makes it a long range sprint

Not impossible, but rather unlikely. I think Pogacar would have had to have dug considerably deeper into his reserves in order for him to lose that sprint. The question is, is it more likely to drop Pogacar all together?

If we can be hopeful, maybe it's because at one point Healy came back to 18s. Since that POS Leo Van Vliet is not going to be around to falsify the race in Liège, and we can assume Evenepoel to intrinsically still be a better rider/rouleur than Healy (though i must admit he impressed me this week), i think it's likely Pogacar won't be able to outright drop Evenepoel (if the latter can replicate his CSS form). If the final starts really early, maybe even earlier than in Amstel, i could see this flip in Evenepoel's favor. If everything stays together for long, and the race explodes only on RaF, i think they will be going to the line together (maybe with a few others) and Pogacar is going to win that sprint handily.

 

[houtdffan]

Not impossible, but rather unlikely. I think Pogacar would have had to have dug considerably deeper into his reserves in order for him to lose that sprint. The question is, is it more likely to drop Pogacar all together?

If we can be hopeful, maybe it's because at one point Healy came back to 18s. Since that POS Leo Van Vliet is not going to be around to falsify the race in Liège, and we can assume Evenepoel to intrinsically still be a better rider/rouleur than Healy (though i must admit he impressed me this week), i think it's likely Pogacar won't be able to outright drop Evenepoel (if the latter can replicate his CSS form). If the final starts really early, maybe even earlier than in Amstel, i could see this flip in Evenepoel's favor. If everything stays together for long, and the race explodes only on RaF, i think they will be going to the line together (maybe with a few others) and Pogacar is going to win that sprint handily.

I'd be shocked if Remco and Pog are not well clear by the time they are halfway up Redoutte

 

[Nick2413]

Remco fans can rejoice that Pog was so dominant in AGR there’s no excuses if Remco beats him. Before AGR I thought it might go to Remco, not so sure now. Seems Pog would have to have something go wrong to not end up at least in the sprint, and winning it. Remco needs to be a full level above Catalunya to have any chance of dropping him. There was always the question of what would’ve happened last year if Pog was racing, hopefully we can get everyone firing on all cylinders.

 

[houtdffan]

Remco fans can rejoice that Pog was so dominant in AGR there’s no excuses if Remco beats him. Before AGR I thought it might go to Remco, not so sure now. Seems Pog would have to have something go wrong to not end up at least in the sprint, and winning it. Remco needs to be a full level above Catalunya to have any chance of dropping him. There was always the question of what would’ve happened last year if Pog was racing, hopefully we can get everyone firing on all cylinders.

They both raced San Sabastien and the worlds. Pog was forced to bend over and take some hard swats on his bottom

 

[Extinction]

Look at the competition Pog was up against. Pidcock was the last to hold on and we're talking about a guy who hasn't had an ideal spring. No MVDP in top form or Ala, no Wout, no Roglic, no Vingeggard, who in good shape doesn't get dropped by Pog. And of course no Remco. Liege will be totally different. The only question mark is how will Evenepoel be upon reentry from altitudine? His track record says he'll be flying, but it's not a mathematical equation. Yet if he isn't hampered, I predict we're going to see the best Remco so far, who already has been stronger this spring than last. He'll be practically in Giro shape and so, if all goes according to plan, we could witness a massacre. If not everything is in light of the Giro, but I'm betting on something out of this world.

 

[Extinction]

Remco fans can rejoice that Pog was so dominant in AGR there’s no excuses if Remco beats him. Before AGR I thought it might go to Remco, not so sure now. Seems Pog would have to have something go wrong to not end up at least in the sprint, and winning it. Remco needs to be a full level above Catalunya to have any chance of dropping him. There was always the question of what would’ve happened last year if Pog was racing, hopefully we can get everyone firing on all cylinders.

Remco will be 3 levels above Catalunya if his Giro plans come to fruition.

PS. "3 levels" is a way of saying "much stronger" than at Catalunya, which must be the case or else they totally got the Giro prep wrong, which is highly unlikely.

 

[Nick2413]

They both raced San Sabastien and the worlds. Pog was forced to bend over and take some hard swats on his bottom

You mean 2 races after the TDF that are in an awful position for anyone doing the Tour? Worlds maybe, but hardly a situation where both riders are actively targeting the race. And I rate Remco highly btw

 

[Nick2413]

Remco will be 3 levels above Catalunya if his Giro plans come to fruition.

PS. "3 levels" is a way of saying "much stronger" than at Catalunya, which must be the case or else they totally got the Giro prep wrong, which is highly unlikely.

I take 3 levels above to mean 3 kilos below.

 

[Extinction]

I take 3 levels above to mean 3 kilos below.

Right and, if that's the case and firing on all cylinders, Pog isn't dropping him like Pidcock and Healy.

 

[Krzysztof_O]

Not impossible, but rather unlikely. I think Pogacar would have had to have dug considerably deeper into his reserves in order for him to lose that sprint. The question is, is it more likely to drop Pogacar all together?

If we can be hopeful, maybe it's because at one point Healy came back to 18s. Since that POS Leo Van Vliet is not going to be around to falsify the race in Liège, and we can assume Evenepoel to intrinsically still be a better rider/rouleur than Healy (though i must admit he impressed me this week), i think it's likely Pogacar won't be able to outright drop Evenepoel (if the latter can replicate his CSS form). If the final starts really early, maybe even earlier than in Amstel, i could see this flip in Evenepoel's favor. If everything stays together for long, and the race explodes only on RaF, i think they will be going to the line together (maybe with a few others) and Pogacar is going to win that sprint handily.

Tadej will have to mark Remco carefully. If the Bullet Man gets a small gap he will be hard to catch. Obviously the Slovenian can put the hammer down on those hills and beat anybody but the Belgian is the only cyclist I can think of, who can stay ahead of anybody in mixed terrain. If both are close to their best on Sunday I would predict Pogacar's win (likely after a sprint against Remco).

 

[wheresmybrakes]

I think Pog will be getting a bit tired by now and is approaching his time to rest up and prep for the Tour. This should be in the bag for Remco and one race too far for Pog. I hope I'm wrong.

 

[Extinction]

Tadej will have to mark Remco carefully. If the Bullet Man gets a small gap he will be hard to catch. Obviously the Slovenian can put the hammer down on those hills and beat anybody but the Belgian is the only cyclist I can think of, who can stay ahead of anybody in mixed terrain. If both are close to their best on Sunday I would predict Pogacar's win (likely after a spring against Remco).

It depends, of course, on how good Remco is, but unfortunately we have nothing to go on except Catalunya now some time ago. I think, however, they realize to beat Roglic at the Giro the Remco of the Vuelta isn't enough. Thus they must think he can be significantly stronger, which after a Catalunya that already saw him better than his spring stage race campaign last year, should be quite an improvement. Plus he's a year older and has the benefit of a full year without incident to be building upon. It could be, therefore, that the Remco that shows up at Liege on Sunday could be something nobody has seen before or it could be miss. I'm inclined to think more the former and that we'll see the kind of Remco to expect at the Giro. Should be fireworks against Pog, the battle royal we've been waiting for.

 

[Riek s]

In many ways I agree.

Pog’s results this season so far are simply superb.

However, his Amstel win is no more dominant than remco at San Sebastián last year (and arguably less so).

Pog the favorite? Of course. However I would be surprised (and disappointed) if Remco doesn’t provide competition.

Given the route it is hard to compare San sebastian and AGR with eachother. But Pog was very impressive yesterday ... I agree that his competition wasn't that great (in terms of big names). But still, he won it with a solo of close to 30km after closing a 10-15second gap in 60seconds (after bike change) after riding 30km on a flattish tire.

I think Pog will be getting a bit tired by now and is approaching his time to rest up and prep for the Tour. This should be in the bag for Remco and one race too far for Pog. I hope I'm wrong.

Given how many people who were dominant won LBL year after year, iI doubt its a cut and dry win for anyone.

 

[fox]

I don't think Pogacar can drop Remco. Remco should be getting close to top form in order to be a contender for the Giro and Pogacar is an alien, but even aliens can get tired. And even if Pogi can drop Remco, I believe he can come back. Even in the Amstel he had difficulties with Healy at some point. I am curious how a sprint between the 2 of them will be.

 

[Andy schleck]

I think Pog will be getting a bit tired by now and is approaching his time to rest up and prep for the Tour. This should be in the bag for Remco and one race too far for Pog. I hope I'm wrong.

Pogacar just raced 4 days in the last month, how can he be tired?!

 

[Lequack]

Meanwhile at the training camp