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

[KoopaCycling]

That's how you see it. I see proper perspective.
I'll never argue that let's say winning the cyprus football league is the same as winning the english premier league.
Winning the austrian title ain't the same as winning the belgian title in cycling. No doubt Grosshartner is very happy being austrian champion, and thinks it an honor (which it is). But it don't hold the same weight.

 

[AmRacer]

That's how you see it. I see proper perspective.
I'll never argue that let's say winning the cyprus football league is the same as winning the english premier league.
Winning the austrian title ain't the same as winning the belgian title in cycling. No doubt Grosshartner is very happy being austrian champion, and thinks it an honor (which it is). But it don't hold the same weight.

Can non Belgians race Belgian Nationals? There are lots of non English playing in the Premier league.

 

[Berniece]

In my view, Remco is almost participating in Nationals because he needs a boost from his people before getting spanked (losing 2 minutes in every big MTF is a hard beating in my book, specially for a rider who aims to win the Tour one day) in the Tour. For me there is no other way to see this participation.

According to Evenepoel himself, he needs that extra race impulse that you can’t simulate. Like MVDP riding Tirreno again before MSR

 

[KoopaCycling]

Sure, pretend you don't see the point i was making @ Amracer

 

[Peyroteo94]

That's how you see it. I see proper perspective.
I'll never argue that let's say winning the cyprus football league is the same as winning the english premier league.
Winning the austrian title ain't the same as winning the belgian title in cycling. No doubt Grosshartner is very happy being austrian champion, and thinks it an honor (which it is). But it don't hold the same weight.

You are not getting my point... of course Belgium RR has more history and it's more difficult to win.
But do you think Pogacar (for example) would try to win more Nationals if he was belgian?

 

[AmRacer]

Sure, pretend you don't see the point i was making @ Amracer

You didn't make any point, can you not see?

 

[KoopaCycling]

You are not getting my point... of course Belgium RR has more history and it's more difficult to win.
But do you think Pogacar (for example) would try to win more Nationals if he was belgian?

Yes, cause he wants to win all big races as often as possible
He already participated in the less prestigious slovenian race plenty, even when being GT favourite.

@AmRacer if you can't see the point, then i can't help you. It's like science, some people won't accept that either.

 

[Peyroteo94]

Yes, cause he wants to win all big races as often as possible

But in what world is Belgium RR a big race?

 

[KoopaCycling]

It's as big as a semi classic at least.

 

[Peyroteo94]

It's as big as a semi classic at least.

Of course it isn't (and you even said at least. You really think it is a big race). Every neutral cycling fan will agree with me. But let's move on, I already understood your point.

 

[AmRacer]

Yes, cause he wants to win all big races as often as possible
He already participated in the less prestigious slovenian race plenty, even when being GT favourite.

@AmRacer if you can't see the point, then i can't help you. It's like science, some people won't accept that either.

I can't help you if you continue pretending you make a point. It's like science, some people won't accept that either.

 

[KoopaCycling]

Of course it isn't. Every neutral cycling fan will agree with me. But let's move on, I already understood your point.

Compare semi classic winners to belgian National RR winners i dare you.
Compare startlist of Belgian National RR to Semi classic.
Compare history of Belgian National Road Race to Semi Classic

I'm sorry but Belgium in cycling is just different than most countries.
That's just a fact.

 

[Salvarani]

It is a big win. Just like San Sebastian.

 

[AmRacer]

Compare semi classic winners to belgian National RR winners i dare you.
Compare startlist of Belgian National RR to Semi classic.

I'm sorry but Belgium in cycling is just different than most countries.
That's just a fact.

For a Belgian it is, and that's just fact.

 

[Peyroteo94]

It is a big win. Just like San Sebastian.

This is why I have a love hate relationship with Remco. Kid has such a big personality off the road, almost a bad guy (he is way better though), a lot of charisma and guts on the bike but some of his fans are tough to listen or read (sometimes). The opposite might happens too but at least I base my opinion on facts.

 

[Armchair Cyclist]

You didn't make any point, can you not see?

Of course he did. It is a valid opinion to think that a Belgian/French/Spanish/Dutch/Italian rider might take more pride in winning that championship than a Moldovan/Mongolian/Mauritian might. Commentators and those negotiating contracts will pay more attention to the former group than the latter, and the value in any victory is built on who one has beaten.

Whether the prestige of such a title justifies breaking a block of altitude training is another question.

 

[KoopaCycling]

No doubt since non-belgians can't win it, you don't put as much value on it as a belgian. That alone won't change it's significance. Let's not pretend a dude racing in the national colours of say poland carries the same weight in the peloton as the dude rocking the belgian jersey.

 

[Armchair Cyclist]

This is why I have a love hate relationship with Remco...t some of his fans are tough to listen or read (sometimes).

That might not be exclusive to Evenepoel's fans.

 

[Peyroteo94]

Of course he did. It is a valid opinion to think that a Belgian/French/Spanish/Dutch/Italian rider might take more pride in winning that championship than a Moldovan/Mongolian/Mauritian might. Commentators and those negotiating contracts will pay more attention to the former group than the latter, and the value in any victory is built on who one has beaten.

Whether the prestige of such a title justifies breaking a block of altitude training is another question.

But we are talking about the best belgian rider in the last 30 years. By his own words, he wants to win the Tour one day. Let's not pretend his contract will be influenced by his performance in the Nationals when he can win Olympics, Worlds, monuments.
My point has been how he is trying to boost his confidence before the beating he will get in the Tour. Almost collecting secondary wins because he can't win big right now, specially against a peak Pogacar.

 

[Armchair Cyclist]

But we are talking about the best belgian rider in the last 30 years. By his own words, he wants to win the Tour one day. Let's not pretend his contract will be influenced by his performance in the Nationals when he can win Olympics, Worlds, monuments.
My point has been how he is trying to boost his confidence before the beating he will get in the Tour. Almost collecting secondary wins because he can't win big right now, specially against a peak Pogacar.

which is also a valid opinion and nothing to do with what I said.

 

[Berniece]

My point has been how he is trying to boost his confidence before the beating he will get in the Tour. Almost collecting secondary wins because he can't win big right now, specially against a peak Pogacar.

Again, that’s not why, it’s because he wants that extra impulse you only get from racing. Not to mention it would be unique to win the double NC.

EDIT: not so unique, Gilbert won the double in 2011. He’s the only one to have done so.

 

[Flamin]

This is why I have a love hate relationship with Remco. Kid has such a big personality off the road, almost a bad guy (he is way better though), a lot of charisma and guts on the bike but some of his fans are tough to listen or read (sometimes). The opposite might happens too but at least I base my opinion on facts.

Interesting that people perceive Remco as being very charismatic. He never struck me as a guy with a lot of charisma. He's more of a lone wolf actually, with a big heart for others nonetheless. But he's not the guy who easily gets along with everyone. He just appears to be having a lot of friends (because, you know, if you win you have a lot of friends).

 

[KoopaCycling]

@Peyroteo94 And it's a point i can accept. Not whatever was mentioned about the importance of the Belgian RR.
I disagree with it. But i can accept that viewpoint. I too don't see remco winning the tour this year.

And him getting some wins under his belt will no doubt help his confidence. The amount of times he mentioned how deep the hole was after the crash, shaky winter, means he ain't as confident as he lets out.

I just don't see that as a main reason for him participating. Aide from RR being mandatory (though the sickness excuse would no doubt been accepted), i just find Remco to be very nationalistic. Dude properly loves belgium. And has shown time and time again the desire to represent belgium. That and i consider it a proper race. The kind you want to win. And no doubt Remco wants to win. Though i'm not fully sure about his chances.

I think there are cobbles on the important sectors. And not sure if the climb is hard enough to rid himself of Van Aert.

 

[Peyroteo94]

That might not be exclusive to Evenepoel's fans.

I said this earlier.

 

[bNator]

Of course he did. It is a valid opinion to think that a Belgian/French/Spanish/Dutch/Italian rider might take more pride in winning that championship than a Moldovan/Mongolian/Mauritian might. Commentators and those negotiating contracts will pay more attention to the former group than the latter, and the value in any victory is built on who one has beaten.

Whether the prestige of such a title justifies breaking a block of altitude training is another question.

It as valid as opinion as the one where a Belgian might take more pride in being Belgian as as Moldovan would in being Moldovan. But it’s a slippery slope when trying to run a respectful discussion…