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

[Berniece]

Is he done for the season?

Yeah, I don’t even expect a top 5 for Lombardia

 

[Andre]

No...he'll be racing in the next Italian

 

[Berniece]

No...he'll be racing in the next Italian

I don’t think he meant it literally, more in the line of should we expect any results

 

[KoopaCycling]

Judging by the first 2 italian races, it ain't looking good. Remco should just ride for fun, without expectations in next 2 races.

 

[peterfin]

The only explanation besides the obvious (bad shape) is a focus on training while still being opportunistic when conditions would be in his favour. The weather made it difficult if he wanted to use the race as a training block and go for a win as well without risking exhaustion when going all in. He has 'bad' memories here. While he won the Copa Bernocci before in the rain with a long range attack, he was totally empty in the final of Lombardy. Roglic had his 2nd DNF today and may also be in energy saving mode.

With the heavy rain tomorrow, we should expect another training block (and maybe DNF). He might try to push Pogacar again in setting up a long solo. You never know if Teddy's tank has a limit ...

 

[Tonton]

When The Previous Merckx thinks that he is The Next Merckx, and says that Pogacar is better than him, I think that there's some "Back To The Future" stuff going on ...

Only Remco Evenepoel can beat Tadej Pogacar in Lombardia.

Then, it will be time to reflect and appreciate. Wow! What a year! Remco didn't hide from Pogacar and Vingegaard, his Tour was great and he was a sponge the entire time. He knows how to win one. At 24 in '24. Can't be better than 24/24...

Allez Remco!

 

[Wyndbrook]

So he should be exhausted.
Bad crash, rushed recovery and build for the tour, amazing Olympics, then managed to retain his worlds TT.

 

[peterfin]

So he should be exhausted.
Bad crash, rushed recovery and build for the tour, amazing Olympics, then managed to retain his worlds TT.

It's probably both physical and mental. He said getting ready for the WC was a huge challenge after the olympics. It was difficult to focus again and he had a week delay being sick. For Lombardy he was totally fed up with the trainings and wanted to use the races to get in shape but the weather makes it difficult. We shouln't expect to much from him this Saturday. The focus should go to 2025, hopefully without bad crash this time.

 

[KoopaCycling]

Evenpoel and italian races remain not the best of friends. By now i would not be surprised if Remco ain't regretting going to Italy this season altogether.

Rain always, DNF, bad result, aborted, ... . He can't be having the best of times right now.

 

[KenFiamingo]

Evenpoel and italian races remain not the best of friends. By now i would not be surprised if Remco ain't regretting going to Italy this season altogether.

Rain always, DNF, bad result, aborted, ... . He can't be having the best of times right now.

Italian gods are punishing him for the pineapple pizza at Pizza Hut.

 

[peterfin]

Evenpoel and italian races remain not the best of friends. By now i would not be surprised if Remco ain't regretting going to Italy this season altogether.

Rain always, DNF, bad result, aborted, ... . He can't be having the best of times right now.

The early season and late season sheduling of the Italian races doesn't help him. It's not just a matter of shape. Rain and cold have impacted his results before, especially when it involves climbing and more importantly decending, a feature of all Italian races. I think that a core temperature drop has an impact on his power output. It looks like his diesel engine suffers in those conditions.

 

[Wyndbrook]

Italian gods are punishing him for the pineapple pizza at Pizza Hut.

Good for him, I do the same.otherwise to me it's like stale nan bread with a dollop of ketchup on top.

 

[The fridge in the blue trees]

So the often repeated theory that Remco would gain time back in the flat on Pogacar... any updates?

 

[peterfin]

So the often repeated theory that Remco would gain time back in the flat on Pogacar... any updates?

See the clinic

 

[KoopaCycling]

At their very best, Remco is the slightly better TT'er. So he should be minimally better on the flat in perfect conditions. Perfect conditions rarely exists. And pogacar the strongest rider atm (and prob. will be most of the time). Fatique, form of the day obviously matters.

That said Remco can be proud of today's race. Clear 2nd best. Without Pogacar he wins his first Lombardia today. Obviously Pogacar raced. So that point is moot. Still Remco did well, Especially after how bad it looked last week.

No doubt he would rather have won, but best Lombardia result so far. Can definitely be happy with that, and maybe built on it.

Honestly, remco looked strong today. However there exists this one man who can simply do things no one else seems to have answers for.

 

[vwpe]

So the often repeated theory that Remco would gain time back in the flat on Pogacar... any updates?

People just need to come to grip with that Pogacar is better than anyone else and thats okei. Its no shame in that same applies for everyone else in the history of the sport. Evenepoel is great Pogacar is just alot better.

 

[Wvv]

Well done Remco. His first podium spot in the race that almost costed him his career or life. Enjoy the off-season.

 

[Didinho]

Better than expected after the WC. Good way to end his season. Hope he can get a step closer next year.

 

[Salvarani]

So the often repeated theory that Remco would gain time back in the flat on Pogacar... any updates?

That was always a backwards way of thinking... because the strongest rider on the day is probably the one that drops the other. That is more logical than basing it on that a rider should be capable of it without thinking about how he feels in the moment it actually happens, when you are putting him in that situation. It is not something you can calculate. That he will gain back the time.

Not impossible that someone can get back, of course, but very unlikely when dropped in a hard race.

 

[Panda Claws]

Proven beyond doubt that he could win it in the future which is a success. The gap between him and Pogacar won't always be this big, and might even swing the other way at times.

 

[AmRacer]

Remco, the Golden boy, knows he is the chosen one.....









to win races the GOAT doesn't care about for the moment.

 

[James M]

At their very best, Remco is the slightly better TT'er. So he should be minimally better on the flat in perfect conditions. Perfect conditions rarely exists. And pogacar the strongest rider atm (and prob. will be most of the time). Fatique, form of the day obviously matters.

That said Remco can be proud of today's race. Clear 2nd best. Without Pogacar he wins his first Lombardia today. Obviously Pogacar raced. So that point is moot. Still Remco did well, Especially after how bad it looked last week.

No doubt he would rather have won, but best Lombardia result so far. Can definitely be happy with that, and maybe built on it.

Honestly, remco looked strong today. However there exists this one man who can simply do things no one else seems to have answers for.

Indeed chapeau to Evenepoel, good race. Great way to end a good season im particular happy he tried his best.
Great season from him now rest up and get even better next year.

 

[joe_papp]

Satisfying end to a great season for Remco. Pog' is otherworldly/ET-like.

 

[The fridge in the blue trees]

That was always a backwards way of thinking... because the strongest rider on the day is probably the one that drops the other. That is more logical than basing it on that a rider should be capable of it without thinking about how he feels in the moment it actually happens, when you are putting him in that situation. It is not something you can calculate. That he will gain back the time.

Not impossible that someone can get back, of course, but very unlikely when dropped in a hard race.

I'm aware of that, was just a little dig at the usual suspects that have been pushing that theory with great conviction here forever now.

I'm also aware that of course after a long climb like today not even the most deluded Remco-fans thought he could come back (hm, maybe I'm too optimistic about common sense) but that the theory applies more to flat sections after shorter hills. Pogacar with 10" advantage, Remco gets him back, opposite, Pogacar never sees Remco again. Both scenarios of course can happen, but the opposite too, Pogacar comes back after being dropped, Remco never sees Pogacar again. Most likely always that the dropped guy doesn't come back. Unless it's Einer Rubio or so in front... Today not very indicative for any of that of course, also Pogacar 24 is simply out of this world, but still, after the Colma di Sormano Remco gained a bit back in the downhill, then was destroyed in the flatter part till San Fermo.

 

[houtdffan]

the thing about the alien division is you have a crash/illness and miss time, your year is largely ruined.

Pog saw that in 2023 as did Remco

This year, it was Remco and Vingo

You miss 2 months in the alien division, you fall so far behind that you are not beating the other aliens. Sure, you still destroy the humans, but that does not win most races (except for Remco in TTs who doesn't need optimal prep to win those)