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

[SHAD0W93]

Herregodts got the bronze. Remco 4th.

I think they meant without the crash Evenepoel would have been third, not Evenepoel did get third.

 

[peterfin]

I think they meant without the crash Evenepoel would have been third, not Evenepoel did get third.

It looked like he was pacing to get third as he was keeping up with WVA but he lost 20 sec extra to WVA and Herregodts had something left in the tank.

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

He lost 1 minute due to the crash and now keeps the same pace as Van Aert. So he is fine I think. Normally he will be 3rd if we extrapolate the times. Van Aert gold, Segaert silver and Evenepoel bronze.

Even if he has no real injuries, i'm sure you understand you can't extrapolate the times after he crashed? Spare bike, no visor, demotivated, loss of confidence...

 

[peterfin]

Even if he has no real injuries, i'm sure you understand you can't extrapolate the times after he crashed? Spare bike, no visor, demotivated, loss of confidence...

My assessment was based on the fact that he didn't lose time between checkpoint 1 and 2 (so after the crash). He would have ended third if all those in front of him just did the 2nd round in the same time as the first round and he could keep up with WVA (timings of the first round: see below).

1. Wout van Aert
2. Alec Segaert op 20"
3. Rune Herregodts op 38"
4. Ilan Van Wilder op 54"
5. Remco Evenepoel op 59"

 

[Berniece]

I’m so impressed with how much more mature he became the past 2 seasons. He’s very level-headed and can quickly handle such a disappointment.

In his post-race interview he said with a smile: “I was looking forward to go hard, maybe I went a bit too hard.”

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

My assessment was based on the fact that he didn't lose time between checkpoint 1 and 2 (so after the crash). He would have ended third if all those in front of him just did the 2nd round in the same time as the first round and he could keep up with WVA (timings of the first round: see below).

1. Wout van Aert
2. Alec Segaert op 20"
3. Rune Herregodts op 38"
4. Ilan Van Wilder op 54"
5. Remco Evenepoel op 59"

I see, i misunderstood.

 

[jmdirt]

I know I'm late to the party on this, but that was quite a slide. I hope that the sudden stop in the creek was too jarring!

 

[Jagartrott]

Apparently, that's a curve with a bit of a reputation among the locals. Also tricky when dry, but obviously moreso when wet like yesterday.

 

[18-Valve. (pithy)]

He's gonna decide in 2 weeks for the Vuelta.

interesting tidbit, seeing as it's Evenepoel saying it this time (not Lefevere):

"From now on we will discuss that. The door is open," said the winner of last year's Tour of Spain. "It can be anything, I just have to see that I can handle it physically and mentally to do the same preparation again." "Let's say we'll decide what to do in 2 weeks. It's certainly not a no, but it's not a yes either. Everything can still be decided."

Vuelta voor Remco Evenepoel? "Ik zeg zeker geen neen, maar ook geen ja"

Zondag volgt nog het BK op de weg, daarna kan de blik richting de zomer en het najaar. Met de Vuelta op het bord? Remco Evenepoel sluit het niet uit: "De deur staat open."

sporza.be

 

[Berniece]

"I just have to see that I can handle it physically and mentally to do the same preparation again."

Well you better learn this… It’s not so uncommon to crash or get sick during a GC. If you’re a GC rider you focus on the next one. Just ask Roglic and Froome. They’ve had this too a couple of times.

 

[frisenfruitig]

Well you better learn this… It’s not so uncommon to crash or get sick during a GC. If you’re a GC rider you focus on the next one. Just ask Roglic and Froome. They’ve had this too a couple of times.

That's true, but after the disappointment of the Giro I can imagine the prospect of being away from home for months again to contend a GT you already won last year isn't something he's all too hyped about. Then again he is being paid very well to perform so you could also say "suck it up".

 

[peterfin]

Well you better learn this… It’s not so uncommon to crash or get sick during a GC. If you’re a GC rider you focus on the next one. Just ask Roglic and Froome. They’ve had this too a couple of times.

I agree. Actually, there should be a plan B from the start including the mental preparation to make the switch quickly if it happens. Scenarios should be discussed. I assume it's not evident because it includes other people as well but if a team is really dependend on rider you do need to have scenarios when the crash or sickness happens. Remco sets himself very high standards so that is probably what he means with that quote, that he wants to compete only when he is ready. The thing is that the team should have the strategy ready to give him that opportunity well in advance. It shouldn't be a late decision based on some feelings and organizational issues.

 

[Netserk]

Apparently, that's a curve with a bit of a reputation among the locals. Also tricky when dry, but obviously moreso when wet like yesterday.

Was Evenepoel the only rider to crash in that corner?

 

[houtdffan]

"Plans changed a bit when Remco Evenepoel dropped out the Giro" - Ethan Vernon no longer confident of a place on Soudal - Quick-Step for the Vuelta a Espana

After his fifth-placed finish on the individual time-trial a

cyclinguptodate.com

reading between the lines here, Remco is a definitive yes for the Vuelta as the team's plans have already changed. Riders who were supposed to go are not now as the full A team seems to be going

 

[Big Doopie]

That's true, but after the disappointment of the Giro I can imagine the prospect of being away from home for months again to contend a GT you already won last year isn't something he's all too hyped about. Then again he is being paid very well to perform so you could also say "suck it up".

i think this is bang on. it is a huge personal, mental and psychological sacrifice to prep to contend GC at two GTs these days.

i actually do not his sponsors care too much about the Vuelta, however. it is whether he personally wants to go for it instead of other races that would be less taxing on his personal life and mentally.

as i have stated previously, I have no issue with him targeting a bunch of other races instead.

 

[Luthor]

I think the Vuelta route is also not very inviting with only 25km ITT and several steep climbs including Angliru. He already won it so far less incentive than before. If he crashes, he might miss Lombardia.

It also kind of tells me that his preparation is quite heavy comparing to other GC guys which also explains why the difference in performance is so high when not prepared.

Reaching multiple peaks might be also be challenging.
At the same time Vuelta is kinda needed as a GC guy.

 

[Rackham]

I'm totally in favor of some more Rog versus Remco drama, so bring it on.

When both get dropped on the Angliru (it's happened before to Roglič in 2020) we can all have a hearty laugh.

Tbh the Vuelta route this year is pretty exciting with lots of MTF's & stages with potential for fun stuff, so I think everyone should want as many top GC riders as possible to attend.

 

[red_flanders]

That's true, but after the disappointment of the Giro I can imagine the prospect of being away from home for months again to contend a GT you already won last year isn't something he's all too hyped about. Then again he is being paid very well to perform so you could also say "suck it up".

This. Literally what he's paid to do. Compete for and win GT's.

 

[RedheadDane]

That's true, but after the disappointment of the Giro I can imagine the prospect of being away from home for months again to contend a GT you already won last year isn't something he's all too hyped about. Then again he is being paid very well to perform so you could also say "suck it up".

Strange. I would think trying to rewin the title might be something he'd want to do.

 

[Riek s]

This. Literally what he's paid to do. Compete for and win GT's.

Also to win classics which were on his plate. lets not forget that the deal that was leaked, didn't only contain the giro, but also other italian races (lombardia).


Its not that he isn't going to race anymore. Its that we are expecting him to add races to his calender. (and maybe drop other races in favor of that). Not always that easy. Especially if some goals conflict with that race. (for example WC ITT goal probably conflicts with Vuelta. he wants to be at 64kg for the ITT and 61kg for the Vuelta for example).

I would love if he does the Vuelta, but I can imagine its much harder than we think.

 

[Salvarani]

I think the Vuelta route is also not very inviting with only 25km ITT and several steep climbs including Angliru. He already won it so far less incentive than before. If he crashes, he might miss Lombardia.

It also kind of tells me that his preparation is quite heavy comparing to other GC guys which also explains why the difference in performance is so high when not prepared.

Reaching multiple peaks might be also be challenging.
At the same time Vuelta is kinda needed as a GC guy.

There is no point in going unless the route is prefect, prep is perfect, team is prefect and other contenders are not perfect.

It is only smart to go, when the win is certain or almost guaranteed. He had a 50% chance to win just a few weeks ago. Difficult to have a better chance than that but it is not 98,6%, I guess.

 

[red_flanders]

Also to win classics which were on his plate. lets not forget that the deal that was leaked, didn't only contain the giro, but also other italian races (lombardia).


Its not that he isn't going to race anymore. Its that we are expecting him to add races to his calender. (and maybe drop other races in favor of that). Not always that easy. Especially if some goals conflict with that race. (for example WC ITT goal probably conflicts with Vuelta. he wants to be at 64kg for the ITT and 61kg for the Vuelta for example).

I would love if he does the Vuelta, but I can imagine its much harder than we think.

Agree...to a point, and I certainly overstated it. I appreciate your comments. I would put the priorities for him as:

1. Win the Tour
2. Win Grand Tours
3. Win World Championships
4. Win Classics

Curious how others would frame it. If I were thinking about my program each season, I'd go into it with a list like this. I'd adjust with such a list in mind. Reasonable people could see his priorities differently.

 

[Berniece]

I think the Vuelta route is also not very inviting with only 25km ITT and several steep climbs including Angliru.

I think he can win on any route. More ITT km’s just puts him more at ease

 

[houtdffan]

Stage 20 is basically a stage made for Remco by Remco. That is the type of course where he often wins by minutes on

 

[Red Rick]

Stage 20 is basically a stage made for Remco by Remco. That is the type of course where he often wins by minutes on

Early profiles didn't show gradients that well and IIRC it just wasn't that hard.