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

[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)

 

[Berniece]

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

Pogacar in best form of his life, and Evenepoel not at all.

 

[Krzysztof_O]

Pogacar in best form of his life, and Evenepoel not at all.

An important factor is obviously the hardness of the race, which makes everybody get more fatigued compared to Pogi (who's superior in w/kg department and endurance). Therefore theoretical assumptions (i.e. Evenepoel is faster on flat in a fresh effort) have no merit after a long race with a lot of climbing.

 

[Krzysztof_O]

Yes sir. Let me just say never once believed in Remco gaining time on Pogacar if he goes flat out thats insane for me to think on the flat after getting dropped.

Its a difference in TT that discipline is sooo much dependant on technicality into it with Aero and position and you gain so much from that and there Evenepoel is not only better than Pogacar but a master of the craft for suree. So that thing doesnt necessarily mean the other on road bikes. Watching MvdP cruise in Robauix with his motor and bonk WVA 1v1 in was it E3 ? that guy motor doesnt equal him beeing top 3 in TT same is Remco vs Pog in the flats in road race, its something completely different.

Evenepoel in top form after being dropped on a small hill could maybe close the gap (if it's small enough). This was a completely different situation here: the race was very hard (favouring the strongest climber), the gap after the climb big plus Pogacar in lifetime form (vs Remco is decent form but not his peak).

 

[The fridge in the blue trees]

Pogacar in best form of his life, and Evenepoel not at all.

That was the stuff I was waiting for. The hilarious excuses.

Remco simply not in form. Second, over a minute in front of the next, but of course he's "not at all" in the form of his life. Brilliant! .

 

[James M]

That was the stuff I was waiting for. The hilarious excuses.

Remco simply not in form. Second, over a minute in front of the next, but of course he's "not at all" in the form of his life. Brilliant! .

Pogacar in best form of his life, and Evenepoel not at all.

Evenepoel has not had the break Pogacar had so naturally for me Pogacar is more fresh I think thats only fair towards Evenepoel to say solely on this particular race alone I think thats fair to say.

That beeing said it still level to things but a top top form Evenepoel would be closer imo.

 

[Berniece]

That was the stuff I was waiting for. The hilarious excuses.

Remco simply not in form. Second, over a minute in front of the next, but of course he's "not at all" in the form of his life. Brilliant! .

Yeah the past few weeks Evenepoel clearly showed he was in form… And wow a minute in front of Ciccone, who is known to be an amazing 1-day rider, just look at his Liege results

 

[Snake]

That was the stuff I was waiting for. The hilarious excuses.

Remco simply not in form. Second, over a minute in front of the next, but of course he's "not at all" in the form of his life. Brilliant! .

Didn't even dropped Mas and the other guy on sormano, he even lost time to them in the last km. Second over a minute because he's a generational talent, that's all

 

[AmRacer]

Didn't even dropped Mas and the other guy on sormano, he even lost time to them in the last km. Second over a minute because he's a generational talent, that's all

But did he go full gas the last km? He had no reason going full gas.

 

[Sciatic]

But did he go full gas the last km? He had no reason going full gas.

You could tell by his body language he also backed it off on the bottom half of the descent of Sormano

 

[Lequack]

"He's not stupid," Lefevere told Cyclingnews when asked about Evenepoel's apparent patience.
"His goal was to do the Tour in 2025 and he did it one year before the goal. They have to give us the time we need to adapt with the possibilities we have. I can't call a Sheikh and ask for an extra five million euros, it doesn't work like that. Remco understands that."

'He's not stupid' - Patrick Lefevere praises Evenepoel after Soudal Quick-Step fight off hostile bid for their star rider

Belgian team hope for repeat of 2024 success but Vanthourenhout unlikely to join as Performance Manager

www.cyclingnews.com

 

[Berniece]

Apparently when he was training in Paris, 3 days before the RR, he stood on the finish line and asked his coach if the Eiffel tower would be part of the picture if he stood there with his arms wide. He was already thinking about the celebration.

José eindigt wielerseizoen met favoriete anekdote die hij nog niet vertelde: "Remco vroeg plots of Eiffeltoren erbij stond" | sporza

Nu het monumentale wielerseizoen er helemaal opzit, neemt José De Cauwer even de tijd om terug te blikken op alle hoogtes en laagtes. Eén moment springt er torenhoog bovenuit voor onze commentator: de finish van Remco Evenepoel in Parijs. Daar heeft De Cauwer nog een leuke anekdote over op zak...

sporza.be

 

[Salvarani]

Yeah the past few weeks Evenepoel clearly showed he was in form… And wow a minute in front of Ciccone, who is known to be an amazing 1-day rider, just look at his Liege results

Ciccone has won Giro dell'Appennino and Trofeo Laigueglia.

He has also finished 5th in Lombardia in 2020 and he has finished 2nd in Il Piccolo Lombardia as well.

He also has a bunch of top 10s and other good results from one-day races. Especially from races in Italy over the years.