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

[vappaxbipmv]

Based on what? Relative to Pogacar maybe, but that's because Pogacar became much better. But still everyone improved. Vingegaard improved compared to 2022-2023. So not sure why you say Jonas dropped his level.

We're talking specifically about Tour 2024. First mountain stages, the difference was big. Late stages, Remco got much closer. But not because he improved throughout the race but because Jonas's level dropped due to bad preparation

 

[vappaxbipmv]

The flaw in your logic is the rest of the GC field that Remco beat. Remco was better than Almeida and Landa. Carlos Rodriguez and Adam Yates are handy climbers too. As for Jonas, sure his level dropped late in the 3rd week except Jonas did his best ever watts on PdB on stage 15 and Remco still beat Pantanis record by a minute.

But not sure why you assume Remco can't improve on his 2024 level? I am not even a big Remco fan but fair is fair 2024 TdF was a very good performance.

And Jonas is three years older. So likely he will be the first to decline. I still favor Vingegaard for the 2026 Giro but for how long after that? We will see.

You mentioned 3 helpers and Rodriguez who was worse than in 2023. Also, the difference wasn't as big as the final GC suggests because when Pogacar attacked, only Jonas and Remco followed, the rest didn't even try most of the time and looked at each other who will pull and I refuse to believe that there were 5-10 riders on the same level on a certain day. Also, I don't see how PdB is in any correlation with 3rd week, it wasn't in 3rd week. And stop mentioning that Pantani record because it was one of the worst records he had. Even a thermonuclear Pogacar can't beat a good record by almost 4 minutes, not even close. And btw, Remco only beat Landa by 1 minute in 10k, give or take, not exactly a fantastic climbing performance

I never said I assume that Remco can't improve his climbing level from 2024. But based on what we have seen so far, he didn't do that. I'm basing my theory on past and facts and many Remco fans on hypotheticals and future

 

[Berniece]

I never said I assume that Remco can't improve his climbing level from 2024. But based on what we have seen so far, he didn't do that. I'm basing my theory on past and facts and many Remco fans on hypotheticals and future

Who says his climbing at Lombardia and UEC RR wasn't already better? Weighing 2kg's above his GT weight too.

 

[vappaxbipmv]

Who says his climbing at Lombardia and UEC RR wasn't already better? Weighing 2kg's above his GT weight too.

According to LR, he did 0,2 w/kg more this year in Lombardia compared to PdB on a 20 minute shorter climb, plus this is a 1 day race and that was stage 15 of the Tour. So no, I don't consider any climbing performance this year better than his PdB one

 

[Berniece]

According to LR, he did 0,2 w/kg more this year in Lombardia compared to PdB on a 20 minute shorter climb, plus this is a 1 day race and that was stage 15 of the Tour. So no, I don't consider any climbing performance this year better than his PdB one

That's fair, probably influenced by his weight. 2kg's make a big difference, assuming he is able to push the same amount of watts uphill

 

[AmRacer]

That's fair, probably influenced by his weight. 2kg's make a big difference, assuming he is able to push the same amount of watts uphill

Remco's weight is the most discussed topic in this thread.

 

[vappaxbipmv]

That's fair, probably influenced by his weight. 2kg's make a big difference, assuming he is able to push the same amount of watts uphill

In their calculations the weight is irrelevant because they use standard weight. However it is possible that he could climb a bit faster if he was at optimal weight

 

[KenFiamingo]

Remco's weight is the most discussed topic in this thread.

Well, he called that upon himself:

• GT weight: 61kg
• ECC 2025: 63,5kg
• Off-season: +4/5 kg==> +-67/68kg then?

For an athlete that's quite a stretch IMO. Especially when climbing is a bit of an achilles heel.

 

[vappaxbipmv]

Well, he called that upon himself:

• GT weight: 61kg
• ECC 2025: 63,5kg
• Off-season: +4/5 kg==> +-67/68kg then?

For an athlete that's quite a stretch IMO. Especially when climbing is a bit of an achilles heel.

That's almost Ullrich level of extra weight gained in the offseason

 

[Berniece]

That's almost Ullrich level of extra weight gained in the offseason

We don't know if he measures this compared to his GT weight or his Classics weight, and I remember reading somewhere he very easily loses those kilo's.

 

[houtdffan]

That's almost Ullrich level of extra weight gained in the offseason

strudel boy 2.0!

 

[AmRacer]

Isn't it better to be at your optimal weight when training?

 

[vappaxbipmv]

strudel boy 2.0!

Microwaved Nutella for the win

 

[SHAD0W93]

Isn't it better to be at your optimal weight when training?

I would think so since then your body doesn’t have to lose the excess and adapt again. Though in theory his endurance and stamina should be better if he’s putting out 100% weighing more and 100% weighing less. But I can’t begrudge a man from enjoying the finer things in life.

 

[KenFiamingo]

We don't know if he measures this compared to his GT weight or his Classics weight, and I remember reading somewhere he very easily loses those kilo's.

Idd, i assumed his normal competition weight as the reference. GT weight seems like a temporary exception.

 

[CyclistAbi]

I am rather sure that RBH will first determine and after keep Remco at an optimal weight, whatever that weight is.

 

[Krzysztof_O]

Microwaved Nutella for the win

Jan the man was right about ridiculous amount of carbs per hour way before this era. Remco is his padavan.