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

[Logic-is-your-friend]

Same could be said for Pogacar then? Maybe we get a random winner who rode in the Vuelta

How so? Pogacar didn't race after the Tour. Evenepoel raced the Olympics, so that is 2 extra weeks, and the WCC ITT isn't a goal for Pogacar, so that gives him an extra week as well. That means between TDF and WCC, Pog gets 3 extra weeks.

That’s the best team they could have selected based on current circumstances.

I disagree.

 

[Coffeeplanter]

Same could be said for Pogacar then? Maybe we get a random winner who rode in the Vuelta

Pogacar probably hit his decompression whilst the majority of the peloton were still maintaining their peak/supercompensation for the Olympics. He should be a few weeks ahead of schedule in rebuilding compared to the rest. It doesn't sound like much on paper, but when one has to start from what is basically 0 again, it is quite a lot.

You are correct that the Olympic years often give very random results. I recall Taylor freaking Phinney almost beating Tony Martin. But I think the decision of Pogacar to completely skip Paris has neglected any chance of such a thing happening.

 

[Sciatic]

@Sciatic ok I just read about it. I never would have been able to leave my dog. Go Remco Go!

I forgot about the pets too! Those swingin’ seventies

 

[Berniece]

I disagree.

Who would you drop and add?

 

[AmRacer]

How so? Pogacar didn't race after the Tour. Evenepoel raced the Olympics, so that is 2 extra weeks, and the WCC ITT isn't a goal for Pogacar, so that gives him an extra week as well. That means between TDF and WCC, Pog gets 3 extra weeks.


I disagree.

Pog is in Canada to win the race he hasn't won. So 2 build up races, jet lag and travel time.

 

[Coffeeplanter]

Pog is in Canada to win the race he hasn't won. So 2 build up races, jet lag and travel time.

Jet lag is a completely non-issue over a period of two weeks.

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

Who would you drop and add?

I think this is a course that should suit Vansevenant and Van Wilder. I'm not a big believer in Hermans, who has 2 good days per year and isn't exactly known to be a big workhorse or domestique. I don't know why Stuyven is here now that Van Aert isn't going.

 

[hayneplane]

I think this is a course that should suit Vansevenant and Van Wilder. I'm not a big believer in Hermans, who has 2 good days per year and isn't exactly known to be a big workhorse or domestique. I don't know why Stuyven is here now that Van Aert isn't going.

Stuyven was climbing really strongly for a big classics guy in the final road stage of the Tour. If you are Remco and want to move from a long way out then I think Stuyven can get in that move and do some grunt work on the work to create a strong group for Remco to attack later on from.

I reckon that the WVA crash has changed things quite dramatically as they have no high calibre alternative leader now for different tactical plays so selection has swing fully behind how to support Remco and control the race more than cause chaos.

 

[Berniece]

I think this is a course that should suit Vansevenant and Van Wilder. I'm not a big believer in Hermans, who has 2 good days per year and isn't exactly known to be a big workhorse or domestique. I don't know why Stuyven is here now that Van Aert isn't going.

Stuyven has shown many times he can be a great domestique for Evenepoel. He's great on flat sections as well as in the hills. I would rather have him than Vansevenant.

Van Wilder in great form would be better than Hermans, but Van Wilder didn't show much form this season, and not really in Renewi Tour. While Hermans almost won a stage in the Vuelta, and also showed he can be a domestique like he did in Wollongong.

 

[KenFiamingo]

The most important thing is having Van Gils back in spring form. He's the only guy that'll allow the team to set up a tactical play around REV with a possibility of being a successful alternative. All the other guys are purely there for domestique duty IMO.

 

[Berniece]

The most important thing is having Van Gils back in spring form. He's the only guy that'll allow the team to set up a tactical play around REV with a possibility of being a successful alternative. All the other guys are purely there for domestique duty IMO.

He's riding Canada, so that will give us a good indication if Van Gils is back into spring form

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

Stuyven has shown many times he can be a great domestique for Evenepoel. He's great on flat sections as well as in the hills. I would rather have him than Vansevenant.

Van Wilder in great form would be better than Hermans, but Van Wilder didn't show much form this season, and not really in Renewi Tour. While Hermans almost won a stage in the Vuelta, and also showed he can be a domestique like he did in Wollongong.

Van Wilder seemed to me to be in great shape in Renewi.

 

[Berniece]

Van Wilder seemed to me to be in great shape in Renewi.

That didn't look like great shape to me. What action gave you the impression that he is in great shape?

 

[Extinction]

Rogla has won multiple Vueltas after crashing out of the Tour, not the best prep. Wright?

Each rider is different. In my view, Remco was too much ready for that Giro TT, but not the mountains and Covid sealed his fate. The WTT victory, again in my view, came at the expense of the Vuelta climbs as was evident. But then an untimely crash led to a proper approach to the Tour, where he was both good in the TT and mountains. By contrast, despite his travails, Roglic seems to get ready for the next big appointment with admirable aplumb. Everybody has his own head, dietary habits, etc. I think Remco has finally learned where he needs to be weight-power wise to perform. For others like Roglic it comes naturally, because he is wise and carefree, whereas Remco is young and reckless and thus needs direction/discipline.

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

That didn't look like great shape to me. What action gave you the impression that he is in great shape?

I assume you watched the race. First of all his TT was on point, considering it was a short flat TT, he finished ahead riders that are much better suited to that type of stuff. He finished ahead of Lampaert, Van der Poel, Milan, Bjerg, Mohoric... And if you watched the "queen stage" you should have noticed he was always at the front, was among the better riders of the big group over De Muur and closed a lot of gaps. His form was very good. What was not very good, was that he once again proved to be far too passive. Instead of bridging and closing gaps, he should be more proactive and attack and follow attacks. But that has nothing to do with his form.

He also was the only one able to respond and follow De Lie in a late attack in Bretagne, which was only a few days before Renewi. His shape is good.

 

[AmRacer]

Each rider is different. In my view, Remco was too much ready for that Giro TT, but not the mountains and Covid sealed his fate. The WTT victory, again in my view, came at the expense of the Vuelta climbs as was evident. But then an untimely crash led to a proper approach to the Tour, where he was both good in the TT and mountains. By contrast, despite his travails, Roglic seems to get ready for the next big appointment with admirable aplumb. Everybody has his own head, dietary habits, etc. I think Remco has finally learned where he needs to be weight-power wise to perform. For others like Roglic it comes naturally, because he is wise and carefree, whereas Remco is young and reckless and thus needs direction/discipline.

Rogla had his fare share of issues before his first Vuelta?

 

[Extinction]

Rogla had his fare share of issues before his first Vuelta?

Not sure what you mean.

 

[Berniece]

I assume you watched the race. First of all his TT was on point, considering it was a short flat TT, he finished ahead riders that are much better suited to that type of stuff. He finished ahead of Lampaert, Van der Poel, Milan, Bjerg, Mohoric... And if you watched the "queen stage" you should have noticed he was always at the front, was among the better riders of the big group over De Muur and closed a lot of gaps. His form was very good. What was not very good, was that he once again proved to be far too passive. Instead of bridging and closing gaps, he should be more proactive and attack and follow attacks. But that has nothing to do with his form.

He also was the only one able to respond and follow De Lie in a late attack in Bretagne, which was only a few days before Renewi. His shape is good.

I didn't find him to show he was better than Hermans though. Also you in the end it's about results, and it's not because you weren't racing intelligently that you deserve that spot. What if Evenepoel falls in the first 10km and is out? Then Hermans is a more logical choice if Van Wilder rides too defensively.

 

[Didinho]

I would've put Van Eetvelt in. Was peaking for the Vuelta, looked really good untill he got sick. I think he can be the last man for Remco in Zürich, with those climbs. Don't know how he's recovering but to me it was a surprise he didn't make the selection.
He's not in Canada so I guess all in for Lombardia now.

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

I didn't find him to show he was better than Hermans though. Also you in the end it's about results, and it's not because you weren't racing intelligently that you deserve that spot. What if Evenepoel falls in the first 10km and is out? Then Hermans is a more logical choice if Van Wilder rides too defensively.

If Evenepoel crashes and you want to put your eggs in Herman's basket... When exactly has Hermans beaten a top tier field? Van Wilder may not win much, but at least he won by riding O'Connor out of his wheel and keeping a chasing group with Pogacar, Roglic, Carapaz, Woods, Rodriguez, Mas behind him. Nah man, you're way off here.

 

[proffate]

I didn't find him to show he was better than Hermans though. Also you in the end it's about results, and it's not because you weren't racing intelligently that you deserve that spot. What if Evenepoel falls in the first 10km and is out? Then Hermans is a more logical choice if Van Wilder rides too defensively.

Hermans is 38 and hasn't won a race in 3 years. Career best year in PCS points was 52nd, in 2015.

Meanwhile Van Wilder won 2 races last year and finished 33rd in rankings.

What were you saying about results?

 

[Wvv]

Hermans is 38 and hasn't won a race in 3 years. Career best year in PCS points was 52nd, in 2015.

Meanwhile Van Wilder won 2 races last year and finished 33rd in rankings.

What were you saying about results?

Not the right Hermans, buddy.

 

[proffate]

Not the right Hermans, buddy.

my post almost works just as well for Q Hermans. Granted 2nd in Liege is a better thing than Ben ever did.

 

[Berniece]

If Evenepoel crashes and you want to put your eggs in Herman's basket... When exactly has Hermans beaten a top tier field? Van Wilder may not win much, but at least he won by riding O'Connor out of his wheel and keeping a chasing group with Pogacar, Roglic, Carapaz, Woods, Rodriguez, Mas behind him. Nah man, you're way off here.

I’m basing myself on your post when you say he rides too conservatively at the moment. And I don’t have the feeling he’s in the same form as during italian fall classics last year

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

I’m basing myself on your post when you say he rides too conservatively at the moment. And I don’t have the feeling he’s in the same form as during italian fall classics last year

We are looking for a domestique to help Evenepoel. Not a useless rider who might sprint his way to a top 10 spot in case Evenepoel crashes.