I can read here you are subtly changing your opinion. Suddenly it was possible all along for Evenepoel to be at lower weight, which time and again you have refuted and said that he couldn't (at least while keeping his power) because of his metabolism. He was like Indurain and would not be able to get his weight down enough because of his metabolism, remember? Your claims. I couldn't care less if he weighs 75kg during Thanks Giving, as long as he is at optimal weight when he needs to be. Unlike in 2023 during the Giro and Vuelta. The only issue is the weightloss has to be managed carefully, as i always said (and which you agreed to, and now are acting as if it is a trivial affair once again, which it is not).
I know the team already considered it in the past (because he was below 62kg during the Vuelta of '22 and even below 60kg in the Giro '21 which i have repeated ad nauseam.) The point is that he wasn't in either '23 GT's he rode, and again they were blowing smoke during Dauphiné as if he only needed to lose 1kg, which he didn't. I called that out and rightfully so, as it turns out. He didn't lose 1kg, he lost 2.5 times more. Funny that you believe how things unfolded, prove your point rather than mine, lol.
I have said numerous times in this topic, that he could lose a lot more upper body muscle when you compare him to other riders, and that he would not need to lose fat to make serious gains in that regard. Please don't think you are teaching me anything new.
You're increasingly mixing things up. Furthermore, you attribute to others what they never wrote. Not only with me, but regularly with others as well.
I will repeat it one more time. Evenepoel gains weight faster than other GC riders and climbers. There will always be some fat. Depending on how he handles his diet in between seasons or after illness or injury. Most of the extra weight comes from the (extra) muscles that are created at Evenepoel. Especially in his upper body. That's because Evenepoel is a more athletic type compared to most GC riders and climbers. So, built and metabolism.
With the exception of the Giro 21, where it was handled incorrectly (which I and many others have often mentioned), the guidance has always ensured good weight control. Which does not mean that the weight was exactly the same for every GT.
This time it was a bit more complex. Due to his inactivity and therefore weight gain. His rehabilitation including core training and strengthening of the injured shoulder (which caused extra muscle).The time was too short to sort this out in a short time (for the dauphiné). So, Evenepoel started the Dauphiné in a good shape (but not topshape) and 1,5 kg overweight. After the Dauphiné, they managed to improve his shape and reduce his weight to almost the ideal weight.
Another thing is that there is a limit on atrofy the muscles of an athletic type of rider (especially the upper body). When that mistake is made, it affects the entire body. So, Evenepoel will always have a disadvantage in longer and steep climbs. But also an advantage in a (flat) TT during a GT.
You didn't react on my comment about your rude swipe at the trainer and nutritionist of Evenepoel. Nor to my comment about the inferior performance on the last climb of Roglic, Ayuso, Bernal etc.
Finally, it is ultimately about the difference in quality between the various top riders (if all are well prepared). So, Roglic (at 34), Rodriguez, Carapaz, Evenepoel etc will always be a bit inferior than Pogacar and Vingegaard (if in shape) in the rude mountainstages. It's possible we will already witness it the last steep kilometers of the Galibier.
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram