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

[Wvv]

I've learned in Het Nieuwsblad today, that according to Dirk De Wolf, who called with father Patrick, who read between the lines - you see where I'm going ... but still - that Remco is quite angry at himself for his performance in the Dauphiné.

Least you can say is that he's got a champion's mentality.

 

[CyclistAbi]

https://cyclinguptodate.com/cycling/he-is-furious-remco-evenepoel-reportedly-training-angry-ahead-of-the-tour-de-france

Yates called the team out and it worked at Giro, lets see if it will work this time too.

 

[Berniece]

I've learned in Het Nieuwsblad today, that according to Dirk De Wolf, who called with father Patrick, who read between the lines - you see where I'm going ... but still - that Remco is quite angry at himself for his performance in the Dauphiné.

Least you can say is that he's got a champion's mentality.

That's good, I think it'll be fine in TDF. Although if he's angry at himself you can wonder about what.

 

[CyclistAbi]

So i assume that sending Remco and one climber in support of his GC ambitions plus six other team members not focused on the GC but on stage hunting. Out of the picture?

P.S. As some seem to suggest that is the best strategy, over in the Red Bull - Bora - Hansgroh thread.

 

[Krzysztof_O]

Why trying to follow the mutants at all costs? To release his fury maybe it's better to lose a lot of GC time and win a few stages instead?

 

[CyclistAbi]

Why trying to follow the mutants at all costs? To release his fury maybe it's better to lose a lot of GC time and win a few stages instead?

Like Pogi and Jonas will really let you win a stage?

 

[Krzysztof_O]

Like Pogi and Jonas will really let you win a stage?

There will be some breakaway stages, right? Remco can be the hero of them.

 

[Berniece]

So i assume that sending Remco and one climber in support of his GC ambitions plus six other team members not focused on the GC but on stage hunting. Out of the picture?

P.S. As some seem to suggest that is the best strategy, over in the Red Bull - Bora - Hansgroh thread.

SOQ will send Remco and Merlier. Van Lerberghe for sprint support, all the rest is in support of Evenepoel. Can go from climbers to rouleurs. Evenepoel won’t lack support and neither will Merlier

 

[KoopaCycling]

A podium in the tour is nothing to scoff at. Worth more than a 'measly' stage win.

 

[Unchained]

Lets say you travel late in the day on the 26th. You race on 27th. Maybe take a rest day in between or light training on the 28th. Race again on the 29th, travel back later that night. day of rest maybe afterwards. That's 4 days, and you raced and possible trained a bit. just not on altitude.

Also if you skip races out of fear of crashing... Then why bother with the TdF. Most hectic race of them all.

If you ride 3-6 hours and travel trains, planes and automobiles are not good recovery. Many riders say sleeping in a big stable bus or caravan while driving is not the equivalent of showering, sleeping in a bed..
As far as shying away from danger when you have the choice, that's just smart life and racing choices!!
Why take a risk that you don't absolutely have to?
With very little reward? Wear Belgian colors instead of the rainbow? Easy easy choice.
Textbook example:
Pick your battles.

 

[Unchained]

Why trying to follow the mutants at all costs? To release his fury maybe it's better to lose a lot of GC time and win a few stages instead?

I think it's something internal, he can't talk,train and act like he knows that they are better extended climbers than him..at least in public, out in the open.
Remco could divide the race to suit him, which in my opinion is his only real option. Just plan to only race half the tour and divide his energy accordingly, drop out after drilling it for stage wins.
Roglic ,if he shows up, hasn't finished in years.. And given his age gotta think this will be one of his last opportunities.. When picking top 3, Remco instead of Roglic is factored in, which is sort of strange given each rider's record.
Roglic will really need a year of good luck, that said he and Remco both went to Dauphine for easier tour tune up and ended up crashing out in different forms. I really don't think that 3 weeks of perfect racing are in the stars for Remco..
for years for Roglic, Roglic running out of time to break the cycle.. Remco plenty of time..