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

[rikvanlooy]

If you don't find the complaints annoying, then there is no problem, we can maybe disagree about the observation, but that's another debate.
Now, if you do find them annoying, it's very likely the complaints are made by fans/haters of Y and thus you find them annoying, from that would follow that in all cases where the complains are actually made by the fans/haters of Y, your statement would logically contradict itself.


No one has a crystal ball and even if one would have it, its prognosis would not be a legitimate argument in the debate, as any debate about the future would be made pointless by it.
If on the other hand we believe that we all have crystal balls, but they are showing different things, they are made pointless in themselves, let alone in terms of debate.
I'm not disputing Belgians knowing their talents, but talents are just potential until actualized.
Is Remco a great talent? Sure.
Did he prove his great talent in TT? Of course.
Did he prove he can dominate any TT anytime? Not yet.
Did he prove his great talent in some classics? Most definitely.
Did he prove he can compete in all of them and is the best current classics rider? Not yet.
Did he prove he can continually dominate 1 week stage races? Not yet.
Did he prove he can compete for the win in second level GT? Yes.
Did he prove he can win a GT against top level competition? Not yet, maybe Giro can give us some (not all) data on this.

Sure one can always make "blind" predictions and feel good (or brag about it) when the predictions turn out to be correct. But one also has to acknowledge when the predictions turn out to be false (and take the bragging of others).
Needless to say, bragging before results are known is childish and in terms of debate only serves to provoke the opponent on a non rational basis. (There were certainly examples of that from some members of this forum.)

Did he prove he can dominate any TT anytime? Not yet. How many times did this happen in the past ? Merckx, Hinault, Indurain, Anquetil, ... The list is not that extremely long.

Did he prove he can compete in all of them and is the best current classics rider? Not yet.

How many times did this happen in the past ? Never. Merckx had De Vlaeminck as competition. Never a sure thing to win against Roger. And Van Looy had Merckx.

Never a sure thing to win against Eddy

 

[Oldermanish]

Because Remco has phenomenal power and he's Belgian, so he'll be keen to give it a go one day. Plus Gilbert was good on the pavè and he's not that big.

I'd agree he should attempt it. Gilbert was averaging 155 lbs at 5'10". He'd certainly bulk up for the event; I'd be curious how much.

 

[Extinction]

I'd agree he should attempt it. Gilbert was averaging 155 lbs at 5'10". He'd certainly bulk up for the event; I'd be curious how much.

Bulk up? Did you not read what Boonen said? It's not about weight, but power and positioning and caressing the pavè. He has certainly got the power, but the latter two remains to be seen! He does, however, have that pitbull nature, so who knows?

 

[Skijumper Roglic fan]

The addition of Ballerini to Remco‘s Giro squad… - I think it‘s a bit strange, isn‘t it?

Ballerini is a world class finisseur, great sprinter, great classics rider. Of course his power, endurance, strength, make him useful in any race, but he rather isn’t known as a full-time domestique for the hunt of a final GC victory in a GT… Interesting to see which role he‘ll have. After all, they say the team at the Giro is 100% for Remco. So I don‘t think they‘ll allow Ballerini going stage hunting - if everything goes according to plan…

 

[Samu Cuenca]

Snooker is not a sport.

Cycling is like snooker on wheels: Roglič can pot nearly all the reds he likes, but so far he's had a hard time getting the yellow and pink into the pockets.

 

[Skijumper Roglic fan]

Cycling is like snooker on wheels: Roglič can pot nearly all the reds he likes, but so far he's had a hard time getting the yellow and pink into the pockets.

Yes… Like Remco, Primoz already won the Vuelta, now wants to win the Giro, and afterwards the Tour…

 

[Bonimenier]

The addition of Ballerini to Remco‘s Giro squad… - I think it‘s a bit strange, isn‘t it?

Ballerini is a world class finisseur, great sprinter, great classics rider. Of course his power, endurance, strength, make him useful in any race, but he rather isn’t known as a full-time domestique for the hunt of a final GC victory in a GT… Interesting to see which role he‘ll have. After all, they say the team at the Giro is 100% for Remco. So I don‘t think they‘ll allow Ballerini going stage hunting - if everything goes according to plan…

Ballerini is worldclass at crashing other riders. That definitely can be a useful quality.

 

[steffr222]

The addition of Ballerini to Remco‘s Giro squad… - I think it‘s a bit strange, isn‘t it?

Ballerini is a world class finisseur, great sprinter, great classics rider. Of course his power, endurance, strength, make him useful in any race, but he rather isn’t known as a full-time domestique for the hunt of a final GC victory in a GT… Interesting to see which role he‘ll have. After all, they say the team at the Giro is 100% for Remco. So I don‘t think they‘ll allow Ballerini going stage hunting - if everything goes according to plan…

He will be important for Remco‘s positioning during hectic stage finishes

 

[Didinho]

The addition of Ballerini to Remco‘s Giro squad… - I think it‘s a bit strange, isn‘t it?

Ballerini is a world class finisseur, great sprinter, great classics rider. Of course his power, endurance, strength, make him useful in any race, but he rather isn’t known as a full-time domestique for the hunt of a final GC victory in a GT… Interesting to see which role he‘ll have. After all, they say the team at the Giro is 100% for Remco. So I don‘t think they‘ll allow Ballerini going stage hunting - if everything goes according to plan…

For which teammate will Remco do a leadout otherwise in the sprint stages?

 

[johnymax]

For which teammate will Remco do a leadout otherwise in the sprint stages?

He can always do the leadout for sprinter Froglič 😉

 

[Blanco]

It's not arrogance. It's flipping the finger at people who felt the need to ridicule someone who was struggling, kicking him when down and mistaking adversity for incompetence.

And lol at people feeling bad for Ilmaestro. He's the first in line to ridicule other riders and their fans, he's the first to claim worldclass riders are mediocre athletes and continuously does so. Yet on the other hand he is also the one to pretend Masnada is the second coming of Christ. The problem is that some posters have given him the impression that he is actually funny. It might be funny once or twice, but after a couple of years, it's annoying AF. Especially since he actually thinks he has arguments to back up his drivel. Then act surprised when other posters mock you when Masnada gets overtaken by a toddler on a tricycle. You can't have it both ways.

But in fairness, it is forum admin/moderation that has failed. While some get banned for blowing their nose, moderators on the forum have not only condoned his behaviour, but actually encouraged it.

He's not funny once or twice, the guy is generally funny. That's why some of us likes him.

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

He's not funny once or twice, the guy is generally funny. That's why some of us likes him.

He's the Italian Geert Hoste.

 

[Oldermanish]

Bulk up? Did you not read what Boonen said? It's not about weight, but power and positioning and caressing the pavè. He has certainly got the power, but the latter two remains to be seen! He does, however, have that pitbull nature, so who knows?

I read what he said. He didn't say you could win PR; only ride well on pave'. As I've said before; Nairo Quintana was one supple rider and managed bad pavement better than almost any larger rider in a GT stage. That doesn't mean he's lining up to PR at his normal weight and expecting to bump shoulders with the big riders.
Power and positioning come from stature and stability. When someone 6" taller than you has his elbow in your shoulder and the track narrows; who wins?

 

[Extinction]

I read what he said. He didn't say you could win PR; only ride well on pave'. As I've said before; Nairo Quintana was one supple rider and managed bad pavement better than almost any larger rider in a GT stage. That doesn't mean he's lining up to PR at his normal weight and expecting to bump shoulders with the big riders.
Power and positioning come from stature and stability. When someone 6" taller than you has his elbow in your shoulder and the track narrows; who wins?

Yea, but Remco and Nairo have completely different builds, Evenepoel being like a more aero Hinault or shorter Lemond. He's got muscle and much more watts on the flat than anything Quintana could generate. To me it much more has to do with how well he can ride the pavè, which of course is presently largely unknown. I think, however, that as far as stature and stability are concerned, Pog has demonstrated that you don't need to be like MVDP or Van Aert to win big, and the same goes for Colbrelli, who wasn't very tall. I don't see Remco being easily out-muscled by anyone IF he rides well on the pavè. I'd rate his chances better than say a Pidcock in that scenario, or similar to Pog's, as Remco is a better TTer.

 

[Red Rick]

I'm less bullish on Evenepoel being a potential candidate for Roubaix after watching it this year because of how much better Van Aert and MvdP were at the end of the race. Being good TTers didn't help Kung and Ganna much against better cobbled riders.

 

[EddyMazzoleni]

I thinck we should all agree that if the race is broken up and you give a gap to Remco, chances are you are gonna see him on the podium, In that regard, he is really suited to Roubaix. However, i fear that is position on the bike, rather than his size, may prevent him from being good on the cobbles. Great specialists seem to have a more upright position which puts a bigger fraction of their weight on the rear wheel, while his aero stance puts more pressure on the front. Anyway, we will see him in Flanders before PR

 

[frisenfruitig]

I don't consider it very likely that he will target PR seriously. I know many people have a hard-on for someone winning all 5 classics but it isn't going to make or break his career and he isn't particularly fond of the race either.

RVV I could see him potentially dropping everyone like Pogacar did on the Kwaremont but on flat cobbles against guys like MVDP and WVA or whoever is going to rise up to their level in the coming years? I have a hard time imagining that. Then again lesser gods like Vansummeren have managed to win it so it's not impossible.

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

I'm less bullish on Evenepoel being a potential candidate for Roubaix after watching it this year because of how much better Van Aert and MvdP were at the end of the race. Being good TTers didn't help Kung and Ganna much against better cobbled riders.

That has little to do with them being good TT'ers or not. But simply not being at the same level of endurance after 6 hours. A problem Evenepoel doesn't have.

That said. If i were him, i wouldn't bother with Roubaix the coming years. Some extra muscle wouldn't hurt for this race (i imagine it also might help to not break any bones when crashing) and that is difficult to combine with GT racing, unless he does 2022 weight loss in half the time. Even the best of cobbled riders can crash and see their season go up in smoke. Easier to risk it when the other goals have been met.

Some extra years in the peloton won't hurt him either. But bikehandling, schedule and luck aside, he could very well win it imho.

 

[frisenfruitig]

Well in the past there were a number of posters here -you know who you are- who said Evenepoel couldn't do "insert nonsense here" and we all know how that went. I certainly am not going to claim he can't do it.

 

[houtdffan]

why not do PR as a one off like Hinault did?

 

[Red Rick]

why not do PR as a one off like Hinault did?

Because Hinault doing Roubaix once is fake news

He raced it 6 times.

 

[Valv.Piti]

It's not arrogance. It's flipping the finger at people who felt the need to ridicule someone who was struggling, kicking him when down and mistaking adversity for incompetence.

And lol at people feeling bad for Ilmaestro. He's the first in line to ridicule other riders and their fans, he's the first to claim worldclass riders are mediocre athletes and continuously does so. Yet on the other hand he is also the one to pretend Masnada is the second coming of Christ. The problem is that some posters have given him the impression that he is actually funny. It might be funny once or twice, but after a couple of years, it's annoying AF. Especially since he actually thinks he has arguments to back up his drivel. Then act surprised when other posters mock you when Masnada gets overtaken by a toddler on a tricycle. You can't have it both ways.

But in fairness, it is forum admin/moderation that has failed. While some get banned for blowing their nose, moderators on the forum have not only condoned his behaviour, but actually encouraged it.

Couldnt have said it better myself. Then again, I don't know if Im on ignore or not, so you might not see it!

 

[Andre]

I was not aware there was an "ignore button"...I can very well ignore anyone I want without pressing buttons. So fire away

 

[red_flanders]

From CN:

Asked to rate his current form against his condition ahead of last year’s Vuelta, he saw little point in playing coy. “I think I can be honest about that,” Evenepoel said. “I think I’m better than before the Vuelta, so it’s only good news.

I think there's no surprise there, he looked incredible in Liege, once he was gone he wasn't even pushing it. Glad to hear it, as Roglič has also had ideal prep and I think will be much stronger than in last year's Vuelta.

“I’m going to put everything on the TTs and on the other stages I’ll take it easy, I won’t make actions myself. It’s about arriving safe in the second week and third week.”

Sounds right. The young man is growing up and listening to coaching.

 

[Berniece]

From CN:

I think there's no surprise there, he looked incredible in Liege, once he was gone he wasn't even pushing it. Glad to hear it, as Roglič has also had ideal prep and I think will be much stronger than in last year's Vuelta.


Sounds right. The young man is growing up and listening to coaching.

I wonder if he's actually able to do that... He's also quite competitive, I can't imagine him not attacking in the first week. Would be smart of course. Just win the TT's and save as much energy as possible, and maybe win the uphill sprints for bonus seconds