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

[Berniece]

Back to your comment, you don't know how good can Pogacar be without the Giro in his legs. We will know in July so it is not wise to claim something is ridiculous without even having any evidence he can't be significantly better.
From what I am seeing, he will show a better Tour shape (and not by a tiny margin) compared to 2024. What Pogacar did in Combloux two days ago... it's an all time performance. I had Contador vibes in Verbier. No one thought it would have massive gaps ("easy" climb and stage) but in the end, Contador destroyed the field there.

I didn’t necessarily see that he was much better than in TDF, but let’s wait for the TDF results. If you are correct, he should put more than 9min into Evenepoel this year.

 

[AmRacer]

I didn’t necessarily see that he was much better than in TDF, but let’s wait for the TDF results. If you are correct, he should put more than 9min into Evenepoel this year.

Time gap depens on so many factors, route, how hard it's raced, who's going all in when, etc. Time gap is not a good measurement.

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

Anyone thinking Remco is far from his peak is fooling himself. He told he is similar to his TdF 2024 shape. He will not improve like he improved last year. His TT just shows he is better than ever (or close to).

I fear it's the people believing the opposite who are fooling themselves. You really think him climbing with Wellens and Johannessen is close to his peak? You can take your pick of ROFL, LMAO, LOL or whatever the kids are using these days.

I'm not sure about this crash. some crashes you can miraculously walk away from without much damage.
From his mannerism, I don't see much wrong.

You can break your ribs and not "see much wrong". Did you see the video of him actually crashing? That was quite a blow and regardless of external injuries, your body still needs to deal with that impact. The skinnier you are, that means muscles and bones.
He also says he's been struggling with pollen. I remember he has mentioned that in the past as well, perhaps even during last year's Dauphiné. At any rate, it's clear this isn't to his full potential.

 

[Ilmaestro99]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1934228796363714648

View: https://x.com/CyclingUpToDat3/status/1934228796363714648?t=c27jDNMxGK22aMANVdJzOg&s=19

 

[Salvarani]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1934228796363714648

View: https://x.com/CyclingUpToDat3/status/1934228796363714648?t=c27jDNMxGK22aMANVdJzOg&s=19

Such bad luck. Always something.

Next race we go again. Chapeu!

 

[KoopaCycling]

I think Evenepoel quite often expects more from himself given his training data, past performances and expected condition during certain races. And whenever he falls short he tries and find an explanation. Reality is, you are rarely at 100% during race conditions. Some minor illness, lack of sleep, build up fatigue, crash, ... .

I saw the crash btw. And it's hard to judge. He fell on his back and head for the most methinks. And whilst that can be bad, you can also get lucky. rolling motion, hardest part of the skeleton, helmet, ... .

Not sure how much the crash is truly affecting his performance. I think we just seeing an Evenepoel who expected to be close to his peak, and found out his climbing form in race fell short from training performance.

It's why he is looking for answer past the crash. Pollen, winter, ... .
I still think he'll come good with 3 more weeks of training , and a week of racing in his legs before the mountains hit in the TdF. But maybe he'll fall short. It happens.

 

[theyoungest]

I fear it's the people believing the opposite who are fooling themselves. You really think him climbing with Wellens and Johannessen is close to his peak? You can take your pick of ROFL, LMAO, LOL or whatever the kids are using these days.


You can break your ribs and not "see much wrong". Did you see the video of him actually crashing? That was quite a blow and regardless of external injuries, your body still needs to deal with that impact. The skinnier you are, that means muscles and bones.
He also says he's been struggling with pollen. I remember he has mentioned that in the past as well, perhaps even during last year's Dauphiné. At any rate, it's clear this isn't to his full potential.

Even his staunchest fans have to see the recurring pattern of him and his team talking about his weight, and now he really has found his climbing legs, and now he'll definitely be closer to Pogacar... only to come up way short on the first proper climb. That otherwise inferior riders like Wellens and Johannessen on a good day can follow him doesn't mean that he is not at the climbing level we can expect from him. He's actually doing fairly well considering the level he showed not too long ago in Romandie.

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

Even his staunchest fans have to see the recurring pattern of him and his team talking about his weight, and now he really has found his climbing legs, and now he'll definitely be closer to Pogacar... only to come up way short on the first proper climb. That otherwise inferior riders like Wellens and Johannessen on a good day can follow him doesn't mean that he is not at the climbing level we can expect from him. He's actually doing fairly well considering the level he showed not too long ago in Romandie.

Even his most avid detractors have to acknowledge that when he is in (near-)top shape, without setbacks, that he is far above whatever riders like Wellens or Johannessen are able to put out on their best day. Surely. Right?

Nobody except his staunchest fans expected him to reach the level he showed in last year's TDF. Because nobody except his staunchest fans acknowledges the setbacks he often faces impacting his performance.

 

[theyoungest]

Even his most avid detractors have to acknowledge that when he is in (near-)top shape, without setbacks, that he is far above whatever riders like Wellens or Johannessen are able to put out on their best day. Surely. Right?

I'm not a detractor, I just don't really see him as the super climber some people perceive him to be. It's just his physique, how he's built. I think he can be a great rider on almost every terrain, but in the high mountains he'll always have his limits. And yes, then some inferior rider on a great day can maybe follow him for a while.

 

[houtdffan]

I'm not a detractor, I just don't really see him as the super climber some people perceive him to be. It's just his physique, how he's built. I think he can be a great rider on almost every terrain, but in the high mountains he'll always have his limits. And yes, then some inferior rider on a great day can maybe follow him for a while.

why is why we need to go back to having a tour de france, not the world climbing championships

 

[Berniece]

I'm not a detractor, I just don't really see him as the super climber some people perceive him to be. It's just his physique, how he's built. I think he can be a great rider on almost every terrain, but in the high mountains he'll always have his limits. And yes, then some inferior rider on a great day can maybe follow him for a while.

He’s the third best climber in the world, so then no one is a super climber besides Pogacar and Vingegaard

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

I'm not a detractor, I just don't really see him as the super climber some people perceive him to be. It's just his physique, how he's built. I think he can be a great rider on almost every terrain, but in the high mountains he'll always have his limits. And yes, then some inferior rider on a great day can maybe follow him for a while.

lol, you missed last year's Tour de France i guess. strangely enough i did not notice any c-tier riders in his wheel back then. So i guess unlike twice this weekend, last year in 3 weeks time there never was a Wellens or a Johannessen who was having "a great day". Man, please.

 

[Karl Merckx]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1934228796363714648

View: https://x.com/CyclingUpToDat3/status/1934228796363714648?t=c27jDNMxGK22aMANVdJzOg&s=19

he doesn't even mention his allergy until a flemish journalist asks him about his hoarse voice

 

[Berniece]

he doesn't even mention his allergy until a flemish journalist asks him about his hoarse voice

Because he doesn’t want to look for excuses

 

[VayaVayaVaya]

He doesn’t look good, but he looked bad in last year’s Dauphine, too, and improved by significantly more than anyone else during that time period. I, like many, didn’t see his performance coming based on his climbing in the Dauphine. I imagine he will similarly improve. However, I would expect the gap to Pogacar to remain roughly the same, and I don’t see him closing it ever to be honest. Pogacar is about the same age, he’s IMO a more natural climber, and he’s produced best ever performances. But at his best he’s contending with Roglic for third best climber.

 

[houtdffan]

allergies better today?

 

[KoopaCycling]

Because he doesn’t want to look for excuses

On sporza he was more quick to highlight it, but only after the reporter asked why his form was not quite as expected. Or something like that.

Today on the same level as yesterday. Solid but not good. However if he can add some percentages till the TdF it will be fine. He needs to add those though. Still wait & see. Depending on trainer's and Remco projected trajectory all may be well. Or maybe not. No idea what Soudal and his trainers have in mind. However it is well known that the mountains come late this year. so hope remains for a very good tour.

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

Looked better today, which could again be explained by the crash. Same during Vuelta '22. Crash + 2 days before it started getting better.

 

[KoopaCycling]

Looked better today, which could again be explained by the crash. Same during Vuelta '22. Crash + 2 days before it started getting better.

Looked the same to me. Did not see much difference with yesterday. easier day. Pogacar and Vingegaard clearly ahead, and Lipo maybe on lesser day but still right there with Remco at end of the easier climb.

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

Looked the same to me. Did not see much difference with yesterday. easier day. Pogacar and Vingegaard clearly ahead, and Lipo maybe on lesser day but still right there with Remco at end of the easier climb.

Clearly better. He could accelerate and Lipo couldn't follow, which he otherwise obviously would have. Previous two days there was zero acceleration.

 

[Berniece]

On sporza he was more quick to highlight it, but only after the reporter asked why his form was not quite as expected. Or something like that.

Today on the same level as yesterday. Solid but not good. However if he can add some percentages till the TdF it will be fine. He needs to add those though. Still wait & see. Depending on trainer's and Remco projected trajectory all may be well. Or maybe not. No idea what Soudal and his trainers have in mind. However it is well known that the mountains come late this year. so hope remains for a very good tour.

I don’t doubt it’ll be fine for TDF. Back to altitude, then winning double NC titles because why not, and off to the TDF

 

[houtdffan]

Looked better today, which could again be explained by the crash. Same during Vuelta '22. Crash + 2 days before it started getting better.

but, he HAS. TO. STOP. CRASHING!

 

[KoopaCycling]

Clearly better. He could accelerate and Lipo couldn't follow, which he otherwise obviously would have. Previous two days there was zero acceleration.

Easier day though. In any case remco performance in this dauphine was not bad. If Pogacar and Vingegaard are not here he be fighting for the victory. I don't think Roglic/almeida level is that much better than Lipowitz level. A solid performance. But you can't qualify it as good, as he seemed intent on getting closer to those 2. Which did not happen. Seems on same difference as last year imo.

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

Easier day though. In any case remco performance in this dauphine was not bad. If Pogacar and Vingegaard are not here he be fighting for the victory. I don't think Roglic/almeida level is that much better than Lipowitz level. A solid performance. But you can't qualify it as good, as he seemed intent on getting closer to those 2. Which did not happen. Seems on same difference as last year imo.

Man, last year he was getting dropped by De Plus, Gee, Rodriguez and my grandma.

 

[KoopaCycling]

Man, last year he was getting dropped by De Plus, Gee, Rodriguez and my grandma.

I'm not comparing with the dauphine of last year. more like difference in the tour.