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

[AmRacer]

There's a case to be made indeed. WVA even when going for green would've sacrificed his own chances for the sprint by working to get Vingegaard back.

I don't think it would've mattered much in the case of Merlier helping though. I was surprised that we didn't automatically see the whole team in front AND also surprised Evenepoel didn't work himself.

If Merlier wasn't at the Tour team....

 

[CyclistAbi]

There's a case to be made indeed. WVA even when going for green would've sacrificed his own chances for the sprint by working to get Vingegaard back.

I don't think it would've mattered much in the case of Merlier helping though. I was surprised that we didn't automatically see the whole team in front AND also surprised Evenepoel didn't work himself.

They were stuck in a limbo, somehow fantasising on how they can still save the day for the sprinters.

 

[AmRacer]

Only one GC team working today?

 

[CyclistAbi]

Only one GC team working today?

Yeah, i mean today they are not a GC team, one needs to check on the calendar.

 

[Andre]

I'm starting to think maybe Ineos would be a better team fit for Remco

 

[Berniece]

I'm starting to think maybe Ineos would be a better team fit for Remco

Why?

 

[Andre]

Why?

Bora makes many mistakes on the road that are a bit similar to Soudal. Don't get me wrong, I like Bora also but it seems like Ineos is more experienced when it comes to managing the teams tactics

 

[Berniece]

Bora makes many mistakes on the road that are a bit similar to Soudal. Don't get me wrong, I like Bora also but it seems like Ineos is more experienced when it comes to managing the teams tactics

That's true, but I also think it's different when you really start the Tour with a big goal like winning it. And I hope, that that would be the case when he rides at Bora. Different mindset, higher expectations from the teammates.

 

[KoopaCycling]

Merlier ain't chop liver. So he was never gonna be dropped on a flat stage like that.
Also 1 rider riding more would not have changed the situation. In an echelon the chain needs to turn round and round.
The chain turned round and round. Merlier being part of said chain would not have made a single difference given the size of the chasing peloton. and the amount of people in that peloton chasing after the first echelon. So no i still can't see your point. Remco did not lose 40 sec cause merlier been selected. he lost 40 sec. cause of his team position. And they would never have closed that gap with or without merlier riding through once that gap was created.

Take a good look at how hard that first echelon was riding and who was putting in the effort, and also look at the chasing peloton. Merlier presence had zero impact. Unless you want to make the argument that Phillipsen and Alpecin went for the echelon cause of Merlier. But i doubt that, since there were other sprinters present as well. Like Milan.

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

It's slim pickings for the moment. Tbh, i wouldn't want to go to Ineos, Bora or Lidl... and yet i don't think there are better options. Staying at Sleepworld isn't the solution, that's for sure. Maybe Alpecin isn't such a bad idea. All they need is bring one true climbing domestique, and he would already be better off there than he currently is. Their performance manager is clearly better than whatever he now has. Maybe he can do some winter CX training and actually improve his bikehandling. Alpecin is far better at positioning, management seems to be more strict and unforgiving, much more like what QuickStep used to be, they are much better on flat than Evenepoel's current TDF team, which is ultimately also missing a real mountain domestique who will still be there the last 20 riders. Van Wilder, not unlike Evenepoel, has mainly stagnated at this team and i doubt Paret Paintre is going to shock the world next week.

 

[AmRacer]

It's slim pickings for the moment. Tbh, i wouldn't want to go to Ineos, Bora or Lidl... and yet i don't think there are better options. Staying at Sleepworld isn't the solution, that's for sure. Maybe Alpecin isn't such a bad idea. All they need is bring one true climbing domestique, and he would already be better off there than he currently is. Their performance manager is clearly better than whatever he now has. Maybe he can do some winter CX training and actually improve his bikehandling. Alpecin is far better at positioning, management seems to be more strict and unforgiving, much more like what QuickStep used to be, they are much better on flat than Evenepoel's current TDF team, which is ultimately also missing a real mountain domestique who will still be there the last 20 riders. Van Wilder, not unlike Evenepoel, has mainly stagnated at this team and i doubt Paret Paintre is going to shock the world next week.

They hired Landa to not working for Remco

 

[Berniece]

It's slim pickings for the moment. Tbh, i wouldn't want to go to Ineos, Bora or Lidl... and yet i don't think there are better options. Staying at Sleepworld isn't the solution, that's for sure. Maybe Alpecin isn't such a bad idea. All they need is bring one true climbing domestique, and he would already be better off there than he currently is. Their performance manager is clearly better than whatever he now has. Maybe he can do some winter CX training and actually improve his bikehandling. Alpecin is far better at positioning, management seems to be more strict and unforgiving, much more like what QuickStep used to be, they are much better on flat than Evenepoel's current TDF team, which is ultimately also missing a real mountain domestique who will still be there the last 20 riders. Van Wilder, not unlike Evenepoel, has mainly stagnated at this team and i doubt Paret Paintre is going to shock the world next week.

Alpecin doesn't have the money, so that's not going to happen. On top of that, no way that Evenepoel is going to ride some CX.

Ineos and Lidl would be a good match, but I don't feel their performance manager are still top notch. And not sure their domestiques in the mountains are good enough.

Bora still the most obvious choice. Sure the past year wasn't any thing to celebrate, but they are building towards a proper team. Their performance center should be one of the best in the world, and they have the talent to create a proper climb train, as well as support Evenepoel with positioning.

 

[AmRacer]

Remco at the near front with his nose in the wind.

 

[AmRacer]

Remco is the only GC contender riding in the front, second row.

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

Alpecin doesn't have the money, so that's not going to happen. On top of that, no way that Evenepoel is going to ride some CX.

Ineos and Lidl would be a good match, but I don't feel their performance manager are still top notch. And not sure their domestiques in the mountains are good enough.

Bora still the most obvious choice. Sure the past year wasn't any thing to celebrate, but they are building towards a proper team. Their performance center should be one of the best in the world, and they have the talent to create a proper climb train, as well as support Evenepoel with positioning.

I said CX training. Not riding races. It was a plan to do that 5 years ago but he never did it.

And I'm aware they don't have the money, I was simply making the point that those big money teams aren't performing in a way that makes me believe he will do much better there. The only teams in recent memory that were able to drastically improve riders were Visma and UAE.

Lidl already has Hart, Ciccone and Skjelmose for the mountains and by now should realize they are never going to win the TDF and the team probably has more rouleurs for the flat than Bora. ATM I would probably pick them over Bora or Ineos personally. With all the talk, Bora isn't showing me anything that makes me believe he will improve there.

 

[Eddy Evenepoel]

Looked hurt after that crash.

 

[KoopaCycling]

Another Remco special. Riding in headwind. Yelling at his teammate and crashing after doing the right thing and dropping back in the peloton so as to not be in front during that chaotic final. He was holding his ribs and feeling his forearm.. .

Hopefully we'll get good news next couple of hours regarding that crash. Wouldn't be surprised if it's worse than it first looks. Hope not.

 

[Prim]

Looked hurt after that crash.

Indeed. Left hip and also his ribs. Most likely will impact the TT and more.

 

[Peyroteo94]

He should have left the front earlier. Of course he got unlucky but he needs to be wiser in flat stages. Go to the tail of the peloton!

 

[AmRacer]

He should jave left the front earlier. Of course he got unlucky but he needs to be wiser in flat stages. Go to the tail of the peloton!

Lead out for Merlier

 

[Berniece]

I said CX training. Not riding races. It was a plan to do that 5 years ago but he never did it.

And I'm aware they don't have the money, I was simply making the point that those big money teams aren't performing in a way that makes me believe he will do much better there. The only teams in recent memory that were able to drastically improve riders were Visma and UAE.

Lidl already has Hart, Ciccone and Skjelmose for the mountains and by now should realize they are never going to win the TDF and the team probably has more rouleurs for the flat than Bora. ATM I would probably pick them over Bora or Ineos personally. With all the talk, Bora isn't showing me anything that makes me believe he will improve there.

How long did it take Visma to start performing? It just takes a while to get all noses in the same direction and get everything up and running smoothly.

LIDL has decent climbers, but so does Bora with Lipowitz, Martinez, Roglic, Vlasov, Hindley.

What I would prefer to see is Visma losing this TDF, and realising they need someone extra. Another co-leader. Jorgensen isn’t enough

 

[dobrien]

Indeed. Left hip and also his ribs. Most likely will impact the TT and more.

His only real chance to shake things up the first week, hard to see how this won't impact him, tomorrow will be hard as hell and he just won't have any time at all to recover from this. Short of crashing out entirely this first three days could have hardly gone worse for him. Damn.

 

[Berflamand]

Goddamned, crashing two days before his best chance at a victory and time gain.

Merlier's win is nice for the team but this Tour is definitely not going in the right direction for Remco. Let's hope the injuries are only superficial and he can turn the tide, perhaps starting already tomorrow.

 

[Krzysztof_O]

I dunno how serious this crash was but it's bad news regardless. It will likely affect him in the TT and tomorrow but the main question is if he will fully recover before the mountains (there's still a lot of time so he can do it).

 

[Oldman]

It's slim pickings for the moment. Tbh, i wouldn't want to go to Ineos, Bora or Lidl... and yet i don't think there are better options. Staying at Sleepworld isn't the solution, that's for sure. Maybe Alpecin isn't such a bad idea. All they need is bring one true climbing domestique, and he would already be better off there than he currently is. Their performance manager is clearly better than whatever he now has. Maybe he can do some winter CX training and actually improve his bikehandling. Alpecin is far better at positioning, management seems to be more strict and unforgiving, much more like what QuickStep used to be, they are much better on flat than Evenepoel's current TDF team, which is ultimately also missing a real mountain domestique who will still be there the last 20 riders. Van Wilder, not unlike Evenepoel, has mainly stagnated at this team and i doubt Paret Paintre is going to shock the world next week.

If Remco went to Alpecin he could at least sit in an organized tempo effort, work when he wanted to stay loose for the non-sprint days. That said; they don't really have much representation on hilly days for MvP. Not enough to cover for a true GC effort so it'd take work. Bora needs better tactics, for sure.