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

[Logic-is-your-friend]

Regarding the "rouleur" debate of a few weeks ago. Jan Bakelants, who is a personal friend of Wout van Aert, claimed in the WcW podcast that there is nobody in the peloton who can ride as hard on the flat, as Evenepoel.

 

[topcat]

So Remco still hasn't had a test against real men on Giro climbs. Will he finally pass it and prove himself in the mountains? Not sure, real men are needed for that.

He’s not on the world tour anymore but MAL is a real man who launches real attacks. To quote him: “Don’t bring a bicycle to a fist fight”.

 

[IndianCyclist]

So Remco still hasn't had a test against real men on Giro climbs. Will he finally pass it and prove himself in the mountains? Not sure, real men are needed for that.

But he did test against a real dog and failed😁
PS: Today he failed against Pro Conti riders by 3 min so no need for real men

 

[peterfin]

Tomorrow is a long hilly stage with a punchy final. It's a type that Remco suits well especially if the race is hard and as such difficult to control by the GC teams. Remco will keep his economy mode on with the TT in the back of his mind but I think this is a stage type that he could exploit in the future. It shouln't always be a mountain stage or TT. A "San Sebastian"-like stage is also an opportunity to make a move on the hill and exploit his TT capabilities on the flats.

 

[hayneplane]

Tomorrow is a long hilly stage with a punchy final. It's a type that Remco suits well especially if the race is hard and as such difficult to control by the GC teams. Remco will keep his economy mode on with the TT in the back of his mind but I think this is a stage type that he could exploit in the future. It shouln't always be a mountain stage or TT. A "San Sebastian"-like stage is also an opportunity to make a move on the hill and exploit his TT capabilities on the flats.

Yeah if stage 8 and 9 were the other way round we could have had a bigger chance of seeing Remco turn on the turbos

 

[Blanco]

Problem is he doesn't say 'he IS nervous', he said 'he SEEMS nervous'. which by al intend and purposes has a completely different meaning. Roglic can appear nervous because the way he rides around in the peleton because he wants to avoid crashes or because he seems to go in the front at intermediates to see if he can get time of guarded, or or or it is just a wrong read that Remco has on Roglic's behaviour.

Its a perfectly valid response to a question: "what do you think of Roglic ". It isn't denegrating, it isn't laughing, it isn't minimizing, it doesn't lower the quality of that rider, ...

I don't know why people are blowing this up so hard as if he killed someones mother.

Maybe because Roglic doesnt' seem to be nervous at all, on the contrary, or because you basically won't hear statement like this never, unless it's some kind of a mind game or provocation.

 

[peterfin]

Maybe because Roglic doesnt' seem to be nervous at all, on the contrary, or because you basically won't hear statement like this never, unless it's some kind of a mind game or provocation.

Provocation? What would he provoke? Roglic showing he is not nervous by being relaxed the whole day?

 

[Lequack]

Did he forget to lock the door at home?

https://twitter.com/x/status/1657150979287011328

View: https://twitter.com/BikeBlz/status/1657150979287011328?s=20

 

[Andre]

Yes...I didn't understand that either. I think it happened right after the team car lubed his chain.

 

[Panda Claws]

We are in for 2 more pages of armchair psychology now

 

[Tonton]

Also a loooong stage, six hours in the saddle and a loooong climb at the end, it’s draining to climb for that amount of time. I think guys are tired. Plus a headwind.

No. They're woosies. They hope that the crocodile will eat them last.

 

[peterfin]

Did he forget to lock the door at home?

https://twitter.com/x/status/1657150979287011328

View: https://twitter.com/BikeBlz/status/1657150979287011328?s=20

He saw the two cars in front almost hitting each other.

Most would say "S***!" but Remco has a more extroverted way of saying things as you know.

 

[Extinction]

Oh, so no real point then, just ranting and chest thumping? The concern is spare wheels, not cold toes.

What, a team jockey can't hold two spare wheels on the back of a motorcycle? Let's get with it. In any case, not a word about cancelling the route since the Giro started.

 

[Salvarani]

Maybe because Roglic doesnt' seem to be nervous at all, on the contrary, or because you basically won't hear statement like this never, unless it's some kind of a mind game or provocation.

Yeah, exactly.

Usually it is the person saying that, who really is the one that is nervous or they are just very arrogant.

Taking that into consideration and a pretty meaningless sprint to get 4th yesterday, while Roglic easily following and staring each other down crossing the finish line. I would say it is only mind games/provocation. It is entertaining.

It will be a great battle. Hope we wont get robbed of that.

 

[Riek s]

Yeah, exactly.

Usually it is the person saying that, who really is the one that is nervous or they are just very arrogant.

Taking that into consideration and a pretty meaningless sprint to get 4th yesterday, while Roglic easily following and staring each other down crossing the finish line. I would say it is only mind games/provocation. It is entertaining.

It will be a great battle. Hope we wont get robbed of that.

or they are right, or they give their honest opinion. nothing to do with arrogant. That is just what you want him to be so you can complain about it.

But the real problem lies in the fact that some see nervous as a negative thing. (probably those who love Roglic) which it isn't.... it aligns with eagerness, wanted to do good, looking forward to something. But at least by thinking it is solely negative some can find justification in throwing a tandrum.

Could have just said: Roglic might look nervous because he is eager to try something and make up time. great fantastic. That is what everyone in the roglic thread is saying.


I agree on hoping for the great battle. Lets hope nobody crashes out or falls sick with Covid. (and that the riders don't wait to do something until the Giro ended)

He saw the two cars in front almost hitting each other.

Most would say "S***!" but Remco has a more extroverted way of saying things as you know.

I'm with Remco on that. I do the same thing when i see cars doing stupid manouvres leading to almost crashes. (which in belgium is multiple times on the same ride)

 

[Salvarani]

or they are right, or they give their honest opinion. nothing to do with arrogant. That is just what you want him to be so you can complain about it.

But the real problem lies in the fact that some see nervous as a negative thing. (probably those who love Roglic) which it isn't.... it aligns with eagerness, wanted to do good, looking forward to something. But at least by thinking it is solely negative some can find justification in throwing a tandrum.

Could have just said: Roglic might look nervous because he is eager to try something and make up time. great fantastic. That is what everyone in the roglic thread is saying.


I agree on hoping for the great battle. Lets hope nobody crashes out or falls sick with Covid. (and that the riders don't wait to do something until the Giro ended)


I'm with Remco on that. I do the same thing when i see cars doing stupid manouvres leading to almost crashes. (which in belgium is multiple times on the same ride)

I didnt call him arrogant… that part was sort of besides the point. It was not specific to him.

I don’t think I was complaining in my post either, so I think you are being unfair for calling me out on something I didnt mean nor say.

 

[Blanco]

or they are right, or they give their honest opinion. nothing to do with arrogant. That is just what you want him to be so you can complain about it.

But the real problem lies in the fact that some see nervous as a negative thing. (probably those who love Roglic) which it isn't.... it aligns with eagerness, wanted to do good, looking forward to something. But at least by thinking it is solely negative some can find justification in throwing a tandrum.

Could have just said: Roglic might look nervous because he is eager to try something and make up time. great fantastic. That is what everyone in the roglic thread is saying.


I agree on hoping for the great battle. Lets hope nobody crashes out or falls sick with Covid. (and that the riders don't wait to do something until the Giro ended)


I'm with Remco on that. I do the same thing when i see cars doing stupid manouvres leading to almost crashes. (which in belgium is multiple times on the same ride)

First, being nervous certainly isn't a good thing. It could easily led to some mistake.
Second, if you notice that your main rival is indeed nervous, you can take advantage of that, and you certainly won't tell the whole world about it.

Now, what was behind this statement is probably that Remco wanted to provoke some reaction from Jumbo and Roglic himself on stage to Gran Sasso.
My guess was that Remco was perfectly fine, not feeling any consequences of the crash, and wanted to make Jumbo work on the front and Roglic to make some move, with a possibility to counter him and gain some time if possible, cause he probably feels stronger atm.

 

[Extinction]

Tomorrow is a long hilly stage with a punchy final. It's a type that Remco suits well especially if the race is hard and as such difficult to control by the GC teams. Remco will keep his economy mode on with the TT in the back of his mind but I think this is a stage type that he could exploit in the future. It shouln't always be a mountain stage or TT. A "San Sebastian"-like stage is also an opportunity to make a move on the hill and exploit his TT capabilities on the flats.

Unfortunately he said he's going all in for the TT, thus no fireworks today. I bet none of the GC guys will move today, as the TT tomorrow, being 35 km long, will require full reserves to not lose too much time to Remco.

 

[Riek s]

I didnt call him arrogant… that part was sort of besides the point. It was not specific to him.

I don’t think I was complaining in my post either, so I think you are being unfair for calling me out on something I didnt mean nor say.

In that case i misunderstood your post.

First, being nervous certainly isn't a good thing. It could easily led to some mistake.
Second, if you notice that your main rival is indeed nervous, you can take advantage of that, and you certainly won't tell the whole world about it.

Now, what was behind this statement is probably that Remco wanted to provoke some reaction from Jumbo and Roglic himself on stage to Gran Sasso.
My guess was that Remco was perfectly fine, not feeling any consequences of the crash, and wanted to make Jumbo work on the front and Roglic to make some move, with a possibility to counter him and gain some time if possible, cause he probably feels stronger atm.

So like Roglic in the Vuelta of 2022? or was that mistake of being to eager? (which nota bene is a typical Roglic thing: if he is behind he does take risks, if he is ahead he waits)

I think you give Remco to much credit about his response to a question in a strange interview setting and the consequences of that. I think Remco, just like some others, just say what they think/feel atm in such a setting and are not deliberating what if I say X or Y or Z. (on that front Remco isn't the tactical genius you think he is. or at least i'm not thinking that). And i think my idea about Remco's tactical geniality aligns with the hissy fits..

 

[Salvarani]

In that case i misunderstood your post.

No problem and I just put a few cold ones in the fridge to be indulged this afternoon. Cheers!

 

[Extinction]

All I remember is Laurent Fignon calling Greg Lemond "excess luggage". People need to get thick skins.

 

[Peyroteo94]

He will be killed by Roglic in the mountains. He will never compete with Pog or Fishman

 

[Gigs_98]

Really don't know what to think. Just a few weeks ago he completely dominated on exactly this kind of climb in LBL and today he gets dropped by TGH and Thomas. Did he peak too early? Is he injured? Whatever it is I am a lot less confident in him winning this Giro now.

 

[Eeslliw]

He will be killed by Roglic in the mountains. He will never compete with Pog or Fishman

And after one baby climb you concluded that? He is still recovering after two crashes in the same day and I am sure he will be up there in 3rd week. Even tomorrow in TT he will put at least one and a half minute to other GC guys (Almeida, G, Roglic, Vine...).

 

[Lorzenz08]

He will be killed by Roglic in the mountains. He will never compete with Pog or Fishman

Agreed. Evenpoel is more like a better version of Alaphilippe than anywhere close to Merckx.