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

[AmRacer]

OOh... didn't realise it was specifically about before PR. I thought it was, you know... all of spring.

We don't expect to see Remco riding PR, and the big races before there are more competition than Pogi. After PR, there's only Pogi in selected few races.

 

[AmRacer]

Obviously not. I'm making a point that he wouldn't be among favourites

Most riders aren't among the favourites, still they ride.

 

[Berniece]

I agree. Builds confidence and winning is never wrong so good like to see it. Happy above all hes had a good winter he deserves that. I want Remco to take leaps both physically and mentaly.

What bugs me about him is he gives so insecure vibes I all the time last year everytime to he gets dropped left and right by so many he needed an excuse no matter how stupid the excuse was for his mentality to cope instead of owning it. Now this year, when he sees Pogacar not riding Fleche he instantly adds it from the original schedule, same for UAE Tour which I wouldnt mind if he simulatiously didnt avoid all the biggest spring races which it then becomes very telling no matter if you sleep with a remco bed sheet or not.

Where did he say he is riding Flèche? I still thought this wasn’t the plan. I get he adds it if Pogacar isn’t riding though, chances increase for everyone suddenly

 

[Cycling111]

I also believe there's some basis for saying Remco is the second-best cyclist in the world, or at least the second most complete. That's why it's striking that in his seventh professional year he's never been a rival to MVDP in a Monument. And that's something a cyclist who's said to be so complete is lacking.
He's not as much of a specialist as Vingegaard, but he's more of a GT rider who rides the Ardennes, than a great riders like Merckx, Hinault and others who raced everywhere.
Will we ever see Remco rival MVDP in Monuments? (Before MVDP's decline.)

 

[AmRacer]

I also believe there's some basis for saying Remco is the second-best cyclist in the world, or at least the second most complete. That's why it's striking that in his seventh professional year he's never been a rival to MVDP in a Monument. And that's something a cyclist who's said to be so complete is lacking.
He's not as much of a specialist as Vingegaard, but he's more of a GT rider who rides the Ardennes, than a great riders like Merckx, Hinault and others who raced everywhere.
Will we ever see Remco rival MVDP in Monuments? (Before MVDP's decline.)

If you count with ITT, so definitely yes.

 

[vappaxbipmv]

Most riders aren't among the favourites, still they ride.

Yes, exactly. No need to put him among favourites (as some do) if he isn't one. Mohoric wasn't. He won. Stuyven wasn't. He won. Nibali wasn't. He won. Ciolek wasn't. He won. MSR isn't always won by favourites

 

[James M]

Evenepoel wanted to ride MSR and De Ronde. RBH said no.

Annoys me equally by RBH if thats the case. The ‘little man syndrome’ by Red Bull then. But whatever glad he seem fit its and above all good winter I love that for him its not about that.

My standpoint is this only he could do very well in those races and is a world class rider and belongs there by that atleast one; he just couldnt win without something happening and thats fine, at least in RVV and strade, and thats not a bad thing per se.. Historically lets say if Remco finished top 3 in RVV, it would be an insane statement from him in terms of the overall sentiment it would say about him as a rider.

Taking some beatings along the way in big races isn’t a bad thing either when his opponent is who he is, and I simply dont see why they then treats it like something to avoid like the plague.

Where did he say he is riding Flèche? I still thought this wasn’t the plan. I get he adds it if Pogacar isn’t riding though, chances increase for everyone suddenly

I dont have time to check right now on my way to dinner, but I’m pretty sure I read that he’s riding it if not my bad.

 

[vappaxbipmv]

I also believe there's some basis for saying Remco is the second-best cyclist in the world, or at least the second most complete. That's why it's striking that in his seventh professional year he's never been a rival to MVDP in a Monument. And that's something a cyclist who's said to be so complete is lacking.
He's not as much of a specialist as Vingegaard, but he's more of a GT rider who rides the Ardennes, than a great riders like Merckx, Hinault and others who raced everywhere.
Will we ever see Remco rival MVDP in Monuments? (Before MVDP's decline.)

Is it even fair to call him a GT rider? He was great in the Vuelta he won and during TdF he podiumed. Underwhelming for reasons in the other GTs. If we extend that to big-7 one week stage races, his palmares there is awful for a rider that many would consider as 3rd best GC rider in the world

 

[AmRacer]

Yes, exactly. No need to put him among favourites (as some do) if he isn't one. Mohoric wasn't. He won. Stuyven wasn't. He won. Nibali wasn't. He won. Ciolek wasn't. He won. MSR isn't always won by favourites

Exactly, that's why he should ride SB, MSR and RVV.

What was the reason he rode the Giro 2021 instead of the Tour? Would have been in a better shape for the Tour.

 

[vappaxbipmv]

Exactly, that's why he should ride SB, MSR and RVV.

What was the reason he rode the Giro 2021 instead of the Tour? Would have been in a better shape for the Tour.

SB I disagree. RVV 50-50, MSR definitely

As to why he rode that Giro, I wouldn't know but it wasn't a good decision

 

[Cycling111]

Why isn't he racing Strade Bianche?
Will he be at altitude?

 

[KoopaCycling]

I doubt they will make the TTT overly technical, mountainous, dangerous descend,... . So i do not foresee a TTT problem as a result of the 2-prong strategy. Unless Lipo or Remco has a mechanical/crash.

 

[Berniece]

Why isn't he racing Strade Bianche?
Will he be at altitude?

Yes

 

[Berniece]

Annoys me equally by RBH if thats the case. The ‘little man syndrome’ by Red Bull then. But whatever glad he seem fit its not about that and above all good winter I love that for him its not about that.

My standpoint is this only he could do very well in those races and is a world class rider and belongs there by that atleast one; he just couldnt win without something happening and thats fine, at least in RVV and strade, and thats not a bad thing per se.. Historically lets say if Remco finished top 3 in RVV, it would be an insane statement from him in terms of the overall sentiment it would say about him as a rider.

Taking some beatings along the way isn’t a bad thing either when his opponent is who he is, and I simply dont see why they then treats it like something to avoid like the plague, I just dont get that part.


I dont have time to check right now on my way to dinner, but I’m pretty sure I read that he’s riding it if not my bad. Which I get btw and hes not alone and logical to think like that. It’s not a bad thing in itself. That’s not where my issue or frustration comes from. It mainly comes from the fact that I wanted him in one of those three big races at least and think he belongs there.

They aren’t trying to avoid Pogacar. They just want a normal season focused at TDF.

I also disagree with that approach, because it’s boring, but doesn’t have anything to do with Pogacar. Otherwise they would’ve done Giro+Vuelta instead of TDF. They are still riding a lot of big races against Pogi. LBL+TDF+WC

 

[KoopaCycling]

They aren’t trying to avoid Pogacar. They just want a normal season focused at TDF.

I also disagree with that approach, because it’s boring, but doesn’t have anything to do with Pogacar. Otherwise they would’ve done Giro+Vuelta instead of TDF. They are still riding a lot of big races against Pogi. LBL+TDF+WC

Probably all the canadian races & Lombardia will be against pogacar as well

 

[Tim Cahill]

Best January climbing performance in history I think 7-7.1w/kg for 16 mins from 55k out too, doesn't mean much I suppose as he will have to do it at a higher level in April and July, but it's a good start and shows reasonable base condition for better opponents in the UAE Tour.

 

[Red Rick]

Best January climbing performance in history I think 7-7.1w/kg for 16 mins from 55k out too, doesn't mean much I suppose as he will have to do it at a higher level in April and July, but it's a good start and shows reasonable base condition for better opponents in the UAE Tour.

Oi look it's a W/kg estimation on a high speed climb again.

 

[James M]

Whatever, it is what it is. Hopefully Remco has a splendid year and, above all takes leaps in climbing. Im all for that, and RBH clearly put emphasis on that with his schedule, so Im glad for that. Cant have it both ways all the time I guess.

 

[KoopaCycling]

No idea about the watts, surprised to see he made the gap on the descent.
Then again his descending skills are underrated imo.

 

[Tim Cahill]

Oi look it's a W/kg estimation on a high speed climb again.

5.5%, probably have his weight/wind, did most of it on the front so minimal draft, it's allowable tbh

 

[red_flanders]

Hey, did y’all see Remco won a couple races?

 

[bah]

Is it even fair to call him a GT rider? He was great in the Vuelta he won and during TdF he podiumed. Underwhelming for reasons in the other GTs. If we extend that to big-7 one week stage races, his palmares there is awful for a rider that many would consider as 3rd best GC rider in the world

You think it's logical to call someone who wins a GT and podiums the TDF not a GT rider?

 

[KoopaCycling]

You think it's logical to call someone who wins a GT and podiums the TDF not a GT rider?

People that dislike Remco be disliking.

 

[Red Rick]

5.5%, probably have his weight/wind, did most of it on the front so minimal draft, it's allowable tbh

All the highest W/kg estimates are 6-7% climbs, which basically should spell "Overestimates CdA" in letters in the fontsize of the Hollywood sign.

 

[peterfin]

Adding FW after it became clear Pogacar wasn't going is an objective fact. It's something we discussed when he didn't add it initially.

If he's not going to San Remo, it's because he knows it will be very difficult. Pogacar knows the same, but he accepts it because he's won Flanders and can fight for Roubaix.

I suppose Remco doesn't want to go to San Remo because he doesn't have that realistic challenge of 5 Monuments and he knows he can't even beat Pogacar in the sprint, who hasn't won it for that reason.

Saying that Remco is the favorite in a race he's not going is very easy, when objectively we know that he wouldn't be.

Remco actually does want much more than he accepted to do this season. If it's up to him, he would race MSR and the RVV. It was one of the two options he proposed to RBH (the other riding the giro instead). He also likes to race against Tadej. He likes the challenge.