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

[Extinction]

I posit regarding Evenepoel that his misfortunes (the crash and COVID), together with targeting the WCTT, indicates that his potential to become the best rider has been hampered. Let's see if a mishap free build-up and not becoming sick during competition yields what his undeniable talent would otherwise suggest. His team, however, could be a handicap at the Tour. Only time will tell. Yet I think a lean and mean Remco, without glitches, could become the sensation his promise has forecast.

 

[red_flanders]

Exactly this, provided nobody crashes ofcourse (which we know will happen).

If Remco has the right prep I have the feeling he will surprise some people and podium the Tour.

Yes, no crashes please. And I’m not delusional, I realize that it won’t prove everything or convince everyone of anything. Pogi, for example will come in with the Giro in his legs. And I love him for it. Dude just wants to race.

I guess it’s fun to debate who’s the best, but the beauty this year is that we’re gonna get the best field with the best arrangement (top riders not on the same team) that we’ve seen…I don’t know…maybe since ‘89? maybe that’s hyperbole. Maybe not. Most of y’all weren’t even around then I guess…

I’ll be pulling for Remco (nationalism, riding style, entertainment value) and Pogi (riding style, personality, panache). And I have no dislike for either Vingo or Roglič.

I’m not gonna argue about it, I’m just gonna relish it!

 

[red_flanders]

I posit regarding Evenepoel that his misfortunes (the crash and COVID), together with targeting the WCTT, indicates that his potential to become the best rider has been hampered. Let's see if a mishap free build-up and not becoming sick during competition yields what his undeniable talent would otherwise suggest. His team, however, could be a handicap at the Tour. Only time will tell. Yet I think a lean and mean Remco, without glitches, could become the sensation his promise has forecast.

I think you make a good point. Lean is the key. If he trains like a monk, he could be right there.

Mean is a given.

 

[LesDiablesRouges]

@Logic-is-your-friend Are you being willfully obtuse to generate an argument here? What makes you think I am ignoring all other factors? Remco wouldn’t be in the top 10 if that was the case. Of course context plays a role. Roglic also arguably would have won the Vuelta without team dynamics coming into play, as he was the strongest in the first half and stronger than anyone bar Vingegaard in the back half. I won’t be appalled if you or anyone puts Pogacar in the second position though. Go for it.

Are you being willfully obstuse? You are ignoring other factors because you are ignorant. If Remco isn't in your top 10, then you really should be speaking becuase you cannot be objective,

 

[LesDiablesRouges]

Someone break down these fractions for me

The second number means how much you would have pay to win the first number

5/6 means you pay 6 dollars to win 5. $100 bet would win you $83.33

16/5 means you win 16 dollars for a 5 dollar bet. $100 would win you $320.00

6/1 means you pay 1 dollar to win 6. $100 would win you $600.00

9/1 means you pay 1 dollar to win 9. $100 would win you $900.00

 

[VayaVayaVaya]

I had him at #6 in my GT power ranking and said I expected him to rise back into the top 4 after the Tour. What are you talking about?

 

[Salvarani]

Remco can TT and blow everyone away on a hilly course with a watt-bomb.

The issue has always been the longer climbs.

Should win easy though as he is the next Merckx. It is his Tour to lose and he is the undeniable favorite for the win. Pressure is on but it is no way he loses.

 

[Berniece]

He did an interview with the media before starting his Portugese tour. I like that they deliberately went for a light spring. There are more than enough important races in it, will get him to the start of the TDF fresh. Fresh enough for the podium hopefully.

 

[CyclistAbi]

Betting odds are overrated.

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

It wouldn't surprise me.

I would be surprised if i were surprised.

 

[Netserk]

Are you being willfully obstuse? You are ignoring other factors because you are ignorant. If Remco isn't in your top 10, then you really should be speaking becuase you cannot be objective,

Who's ignorant here?

1. Jonas Vingegaard
2. Primoz Roglic
3. Tadej Pogacar
4. Geraint Thomas
5. Sepp Kuss
6. Remco Evenepoel
7. Adam Yates
8. Simon Yates
9. Joao Almeida
10. Juan Ayuso

 

[Peyroteo94]

He knows he has no chance against Pogi or Vingegaard in the Tour. That's the reason he is saying Tour podium would be a dream come true.

 

[Froome]

He knows he has no chance against Pogi or Vingegaard in the Tour. That's the reason he is saying Tour podium would be a dream come true.

Tour podium is a adjusted objetive for him.

Top 5 it would be a bit disappointing for him, he has talent for a more.

 

[topcat]

If I'm not mistaken (and it has never been known to happen in the past), it's nearly 5 months till the tour and then 21 days of highs and lows. There's a furious debate about who will win, who should be ranked above who. This fury surely cannot be sustained for nearly 6 months but I hope it does. I suppose there's not much happening early season but it's a big world out there. Do not be afraid, God is with you.

 

[CyclistAbi]

If I'm not mistaken (and it has never been known to happen in the past), it's nearly 5 months till the tour and then 21 days of highs and lows. There's a furious debate about who will win, who should be ranked above who. This fury surely cannot be sustained for nearly 6 months but I hope it does. I suppose there's not much happening early season but it's a big world out there. Do not be afraid, God is with you.

Considering we are at it for months now already it should last till the Tour. And lets not forget the pre Tour racing. That should make the iron hot.

 

[houtdffan]

He knows he has no chance against Pogi or Vingegaard in the Tour. That's the reason he is saying Tour podium would be a dream come true.

Remco has already beat Vingo a few times in week long stage races. Don't think Vingo is the issue. Pog maty be, except Pog also has a giro in his legs

 

[Froome]

Remco has already beat Vingo a few times in week long stage races. Don't think Vingo is the issue. Pog maty be, except Pog also has a giro in his legs

 

[proffate]

• Remco won the 2022 Vuelta, but it’s 2024.

Not many have won a GT yet in 2024... and the passage of time benefits riders of Remco's age, generally speaking. Not really the case for mamils like G.

 

[Extinction]

Simply put, Remco needs to up his climbing game, if he wants the Tour podium. His TTing is not in doubt, it's on the long cols where a question mark appears. And it is something that looms large over his future prospects as a GT contender. He must find 20 more watts and longer resistance.

 

[meat puppet]

Any idea why his watt bombs somehow work wonders in TTs and become duds on climbs, even if effort durations are close to one another? Usually power is just power regardless of the terrain: yes, there are small fluctuations in riders' relative abilities, but no, they are not decisive.

Is it all about aerodynamics, then? Or does evenepoel require very high inertial load associated with higher speeds to produce the watt bombs?

 

[Berniece]

He knows he has no chance against Pogi or Vingegaard in the Tour. That's the reason he is saying Tour podium would be a dream come true.

Or even riding podium is a dream come true?

 

[Bolder]

Any idea why his watt bombs somehow work wonders in TTs and become duds on climbs, even if effort durations are close to one another? Usually power is just power regardless of the terrain: yes, there are small fluctuations in riders' relative abilities, but no, they are not decisive.

Is it all about aerodynamics, then? Or does evenepoel require very high inertial load associated with higher speeds to produce the watt bombs?

I'm not sure climbing and tt are the same from a physics or physiological point of view. It's an interesting question. Remco could peak like Alaphilippe or Valverde: setting aside their punchiness, both of them had the right body type to be really good climbers, and each had some huge days in the mountains but ultimately were just below the best in the Tour.

 

[Miss Violet Smith]

Yes, no crashes please. And I’m not delusional, I realize that it won’t prove everything or convince everyone of anything. Pogi, for example will come in with the Giro in his legs. And I love him for it. Dude just wants to race.

I guess it’s fun to debate who’s the best, but the beauty this year is that we’re gonna get the best field with the best arrangement (top riders not on the same team) that we’ve seen…I don’t know…maybe since ‘89? maybe that’s hyperbole. Maybe not. Most of y’all weren’t even around then I guess…

I’ll be pulling for Remco (nationalism, riding style, entertainment value) and Pogi (riding style, personality, panache). And I have no dislike for either Vingo or Roglič.

I’m not gonna argue about it, I’m just gonna relish it!

Agree completely. I would be happy to see any of them win the Tour.

Also, I think it's more fun if the 2024 Tour winner is someone who never won before. Evenepoel, Roglič, Thomas*...

* Edited to add that I meant to include also people who had won before, but came back after several years of no win to win again. Thanks to Berniece! I need my coffee, apparently.

 

[Berniece]

Agree completely. I would be happy to see any of them win the Tour.

Also, I think it's more fun if the 2024 Tour winner is someone who never won before. Evenepoel, Roglič, Thomas...

Thomas won the tour

 

[Miss Violet Smith]

Thomas won the tour

You are absolutely right and I'm in the middle of my edit. Thomas was an added afterthought - the general idea that it would also be fun if someone who had won the Tour came back to win again after a few years .