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

[Armchair Cyclist]

Looks like the ugly duckling...
It does not help that Soudal's kit last year left much to be desired when it comes to looks (imo)

Kinda surprised Red Bull did not ask him to wear a black/white random sponsorless kit.

I think the standard contract obliges the rider to wear team issue kit at all times on public training. He is still being paid by Soudal, so I guess if they can still get a few photos of him in kit published, that's slightly more advertising.

It would be sensible if the contract were to have as standard that neutral kits could be worn when a rider has completed his racing for a team, but not the contract, but I also quite like seeing those odd man out in the photo situations in the December training pics.

 

[Berniece]

I think the standard contract obliges the rider to wear team issue kit at all times on public training. He is still being paid by Soudal, so I guess if they can still get a few photos of him in kit published, that's slightly more advertising.

It's a silly rule. Because you are also getting new riders that you want to start advertising, and you can't. Just let teams decide contractually what they want to do. If SOQ doesn't care, he should be able to ride in RBH colours. Just like they would like the same thing with Stuyven for SOQ.

 

[Berniece]

Evenepoel's new bike in more detail. It's a lot more classy than his first one, and more uniform to the rest of the team. Just some small golden details. Tomorrow is media day where he will talk with the press. Fingers crossed for his schedule which hopefully includes De Ronde.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1998400400576110770

 

[MLKarlos]

Evenepoel's new bike in more detail. It's a lot more classy than his first one, and more uniform to the rest of the team. Just some small golden details. Tomorrow is media day where he will talk with the press. Fingers crossed for his schedule which hopefully includes De Ronde.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1998400400576110770

It’s nice. I personally would have liked to have the blue part in Front also in gold

 

[red_flanders]

It’s nice. I personally would have liked to have the blue part in Front also in gold

I’m just stoked someone is blasting KISS in the background…

 

[Oldman]

I think the standard contract obliges the rider to wear team issue kit at all times on public training. He is still being paid by Soudal, so I guess if they can still get a few photos of him in kit published, that's slightly more advertising.

It would be sensible if the contract were to have as standard that neutral kits could be worn when a rider has completed his racing for a team, but not the contract, but I also quite like seeing those odd man out in the photo situations in the December training pics.

Unfortunately the confusion will remain. Since the Sponsors pay for a specific period of time with bonuses for exposure; the team itself and the rider legally must do what they're paid to do. If the contract was terminated for cause by the team and the sponsor can't enforce any other behavior then the rider can do what he wants. For what it's worth Remco continues to receive endorsement payments based on media hits in the jersey wherever he is visible. I'm sure he's OK with that since he's basically getting paid by two sources simultaneously at this point. I'm guessing but if he weren't it wouldn't be enforceable.

 

[Berniece]

His schedule has been leaked already, will be confirmed later today.

04.02 - 08.02 🇪🇸 Volta Comunitat Valenciana
16.02 - 22.02 🇦🇪 UAE Tour

⛰️ Altitude

23.03 - 29.03 🇪🇸 Volta Ciclista a Catalunya
05.04 🇧🇪 Ronde van Vlaanderen
19.04 🇳🇱 Amstel Gold Race
22.04 🇧🇪 La Flèche Wallonne
26.04 🇧🇪 Liège-Bastogne-Liège

☀️ Break
⛰️ Altitude

07.06 - 14.06 🇫🇷 Tour Auvergne - Rhône-Alpes (Dauphine)
04.07 - 26.07 🇫🇷 Tour de France

☀️ Break
⛰️ Altitude

11.09 🇨🇦 Grand Prix Cycliste de Québec
13.09 🇨🇦 Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal
20.09 🇨🇦 UCI World Championship Montréal TT
27.09 🇨🇦 UCI World Championship Montréal

Geen Giro, wel Ronde van Vlaanderen en al starten begin februari? Vandaag maakt Remco Evenepoel zijn programma bekend

Maakt <a href="https://www.hln.be/dossier/remco-evenepoel~d778b588c-e8d5-4568-bd82-bef6ca4a745d/" target="_blank">Remco Evenepoel</a> (25) zijn debuut voor Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe al op 4 februari in de Ronde van Valencia? Vandaag maakt het nieuwe uithangbord van de Duitse ploeg zijn programma...

www.hln.be

 

[vappaxbipmv]

His schedule has been leaked already, will be confirmed later today.

* Valencia
* UAE Tour

* Altitude

* Catalunya
* Flanders
* AGR
* Flèche
* Liege

* Altitude
* Dauphine
* TDF

Source?

 

[Berniece]

Source?

Right, my bad, was on mobile. Source is HLN, a Belgian newspaper who has connections with someone in Evenepoel's entourage. Updated my post too.

Geen Giro, wel Ronde van Vlaanderen en al starten begin februari? Vandaag maakt Remco Evenepoel zijn programma bekend

Maakt <a href="https://www.hln.be/dossier/remco-evenepoel~d778b588c-e8d5-4568-bd82-bef6ca4a745d/" target="_blank">Remco Evenepoel</a> (25) zijn debuut voor Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe al op 4 februari in de Ronde van Valencia? Vandaag maakt het nieuwe uithangbord van de Duitse ploeg zijn programma...

www.hln.be

 

[Eddy Evenepoel]

No San Remo is disappointing.

 

[Berniece]

No San Remo is disappointing.

I agree, and I'm not sure why he can't do both MSR as well as Catalunya... Catalunya starts 2 days later, so he could ride MSR on Saturday, fly in the evening, rest on Sunday and start Catalunya on Monday.

 

[Berflamand]

Yeah, include MSR and I'd be very happy with this schedule that looks like a nice mix of stage races and one day races.

 

[vappaxbipmv]

I agree, and I'm not sure why he can't do both MSR as well as Catalunya... Catalunya starts 2 days later, so he could ride MSR on Saturday, fly in the evening, rest on Sunday and start Catalunya on Monday.

I think it's too tiring. When Pogacar did it in 2024 he was exhausted. Although, he did a lot of long solos

 

[vappaxbipmv]

Right, my bad, was on mobile. Source is HLN, a Belgian newspaper who has connections with someone in Evenepoel's entourage. Updated my post too.

Geen Giro, wel Ronde van Vlaanderen en al starten begin februari? Vandaag maakt Remco Evenepoel zijn programma bekend

Maakt <a href="https://www.hln.be/dossier/remco-evenepoel~d778b588c-e8d5-4568-bd82-bef6ca4a745d/" target="_blank">Remco Evenepoel</a> (25) zijn debuut voor Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe al op 4 februari in de Ronde van Valencia? Vandaag maakt het nieuwe uithangbord van de Duitse ploeg zijn programma...

www.hln.be

As I understand the article, it's more speculation than facts. Although, maybe the translation is a problem

 

[Berniece]

As I understand the article, it's more speculation than facts. Although, maybe the translation is a problem

Article says: "according to our information". So they are merely disclosing what they have heard from someone in Evenepoel's entourage. We will know 100% sure this afternoon.

 

[Berniece]

I think it's too tiring. When Pogacar did it in 2024 he was exhausted. Although, he did a lot of long solos

He could take it a bit more easy, and the first stage is also for sprinters.

 

[Berflamand]

As I understand the article, it's more speculation than facts. Although, maybe the translation is a problem

This journalist is usually quite reliable and well-informed so it's not pure speculation but more like an informed guess. But yeah, it's definitely still possible that the schedule will look a bit different after all.

 

[KoopaCycling]

I always hope for more race days whilst understanding they need to be at their best in order to compete.

I do hope they maybe add UEC after Worlds and I imagine he'll be competing at Lombardia as well.
I'm guessing he'll have a sick day this year during Belgian Nationals (after last year crash, a bit of a shame if this happens as i would prefer him to race there as well)

 

[Berniece]

I always hope for more race days whilst understanding they need to be at their best in order to compete.

What would you have added to his spring schedule?

 

[Barkintheeye]

His schedule has been leaked already, will be confirmed later today.

04.02 - 08.02 🇪🇸 Volta Comunitat Valenciana
16.02 - 22.02 🇦🇪 UAE Tour

⛰️ Altitude

23.03 - 29.03 🇪🇸 Volta Ciclista a Catalunya
05.04 🇧🇪 Ronde van Vlaanderen
19.04 🇳🇱 Amstel Gold Race
22.04 🇧🇪 La Flèche Wallonne
26.04 🇧🇪 Liège-Bastogne-Liège

☀️ Break
⛰️ Altitude

07.06 - 14.06 🇫🇷 Tour Auvergne - Rhône-Alpes (Dauphine)
04.07 - 26.07 🇫🇷 Tour de France

☀️ Break
⛰️ Altitude

11.09 🇨🇦 Grand Prix Cycliste de Québec
13.09 🇨🇦 Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal
20.09 🇨🇦 UCI World Championship Montréal TT
27.09 🇨🇦 UCI World Championship Montréal

Geen Giro, wel Ronde van Vlaanderen en al starten begin februari? Vandaag maakt Remco Evenepoel zijn programma bekend

Maakt <a href="https://www.hln.be/dossier/remco-evenepoel~d778b588c-e8d5-4568-bd82-bef6ca4a745d/" target="_blank">Remco Evenepoel</a> (25) zijn debuut voor Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe al op 4 februari in de Ronde van Valencia? Vandaag maakt het nieuwe uithangbord van de Duitse ploeg zijn programma...

www.hln.be

Nice, will be interesting to see what he can do at the Ronde.

 

[Wyndbrook]

Looks like Flanders is a target with Catalunya used as a sharpener after altitude.

 

[Red Rick]

Good schedule apart from not taking a free hit at MSR

 

[Berniece]

If he starts the season in decent form he could win his first 3 races

 

[jotafap]

Looks like Flanders is a target with Catalunya used as a sharpener after altitude.

Well, I wouldn’t say Catalunya will be used to prepare for Flanders, as he actually has a chance to win one of them — and I’d bet it’s not the latter.

 

[AmRacer]

If he starts the season in decent form he could win his first 3 races

After first Altidue camp, he should be in good shape.