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

[Extinction]

I have a feeling Remco will try when MVDP is past his prime. That's legitimate, but personally what I like about Pogacar is that he wants to beat MVDP in his prime, although he could be increasing his record in Paris-Nice, Itzulia and other races that he doesn't ride to prepare for those Monuments that he doesn't win.

Remco should throw himself all in and to hell with MvdP in his prime. Who cares if he loses, so long as the fight is earnest? Cycling needs the biggest stars at the biggest events. We're not in the same sport of 20 years ago. With Pog and MvdP, it's more like back to historical cycling and Remco can't perform if he doesn't show up.

 

[Cycling111]

Agreed. I just think a rider of his calibre should be doing other monuments and the biggest stage races in preparation for his GT appointments. That's building a legacy, not avoiding the truely big events for the enth participation in Catalunya. Given what Pog has achieved, I don't even think riding Giro and Tour at once would have been a bad idea, as maybe he could have netted a maglia rosa by now. First at Soudal, now at Bora; they seem too conservative in their approach, never willing to take "risks" with him. Yet they may have, in doing so, lost a number of occasions and opportunities. The only one that seems to be doing it right is UAE, unfortunately for Remco.

UAE didn't want Pogacar to ride Flanders either, and they were even more reluctant about Roubaix. But a rider of that caliber can overrule the team.
In the end, the team's star decision prevails.

 

[HashRouge]

Agreed. I just think a rider of his calibre should be doing other monuments and the biggest stage races in preparation for his GT appointments. That's building a legacy, not avoiding the truely big events for the enth participation in Catalunya. Given what Pog has achieved, I don't even think riding Giro and Tour at once would have been a bad idea, as maybe he could have netted a maglia rosa by now. First at Soudal, now at Bora; they seem too conservative in their approach, never willing to take "risks" with him. Yet they may have, in doing so, lost a number of occasions and opportunities. The only one that seems to be doing it right is UAE, unfortunately for Remco.

While I understand this take, I give him an out for this year. I think he wants the "perfect" build up for the Tour on his new team, so his spring schedule is designed to fit with that. If he hadn't had that crash last winter, and had had another decent Tour last year, he might have done things differently this year.

 

[Salvarani]

A Belgian with his palmares and prime age, he should definitely race RVV.
2021, he should have raced the Tour instead of the Giro, would have had more time to prepare.
2023, as world champ he should have raced the Tour instead of trying the Giro and later trying to defending his Vuelta.

It is all mental reasons.

 

[AmRacer]

Has nothing to do with what Evenepoel, which you know since it has been told 1000 times already.

Not this year maybe, but any of his other previous years. And also, Remco has no say regarding his schedule?

 

[KoopaCycling]

If remco wins Amstel + Dauphine + WC TT whilst having a solid Tour it's already a good season.
Anything beyond that is gravy. I'm not unsatisfied with his shedule so far.

 

[AmRacer]

If remco wins Amstel + Dauphine + WC TT whilst having a solid Tour it's already a good season.
Anything beyond that is gravy. I'm not unsatisfied with his shedule so far.

He can still do that and racing the RVV, at least.

 

[Berniece]

If remco wins Amstel + Dauphine + WC TT whilst having a solid Tour it's already a good season.
Anything beyond that is gravy. I'm not unsatisfied with his shedule so far.

It’s just that there’s room for more. MSR really is easy to add. I hope he’ll make a surprise visit

 

[Extinction]

UAE didn't want Pogacar to ride Flanders either, and they were even more reluctant about Roubaix. But a rider of that caliber can overrule the team.
In the end, the team's star decision prevails.

Sure, so Remco should also be able to target "non-conventional" races if he wants too. Perhaps he allows team management to convince him otherwise too much; that, for example, MSR is not "for him"; that Flanders is "too dangerous" (nevermind for a Flandrian it should be an annual must); that it's "better" to focus on "your strengths." I just think he has been mismanaged and consequently held back as a result.

 

[KoopaCycling]

Sure, so Remco should also be able to target "non-conventional" races if he wants too. Perhaps he allows team management to convince him otherwise too much; that, for example, MSR is not "for him"; that Flanders is "too dangerous" (nevermind for a Flandrian it should be an annual must); that it's "better" to focus on "your strengths." I just think he has been mismanaged and consequently held back as a result.

What I've seen from Brabantse Pijl is that Remco rides okay'ish on cobbles. Wether he got what it takes to be a flandrien is up for grabs still. He's got the engine. The skills have improved, but improved enough?

 

[Extinction]

Well,

What I've seen from Brabantse Pijl is that Remco rides okay'ish on cobbles. Wether he got what it takes to be a flandrien is up for grabs still. He's got the engine. The skills have improved, but improved enough?

Well, we'll never find out if he doesn't start!

 

[Cycling111]

This year in Valencia there's no finish in a mountain and the route is less thought than in previous years.

Just winning the time trial should be enough to win the GC.

 

[KoopaCycling]

What i'm reading from Remco interview is that he'll ride in an attacking manner and then try to maintain a hard effort for a prolonged time so as to better himself. Sounds like good tv to me.

 

[Berniece]

What i'm reading from Remco interview is that he'll ride in an attacking manner and then try to maintain a hard effort for a prolonged time so as to better himself. Sounds like good tv to me.

Indeed, hopefully others want to ride with him. The likes of Almeida

 

[KoopaCycling]

People be wanting more experiments in his racing program, but i'm thinking Red Bull want to methodically find out how much better they can make remco this year. In that regard i like his schedule. 2 big 1 week stage races, 2-3 ardennes classics and a couple of less important stage races to help gauge the training progress.

 

[Berniece]

People be wanting more experiments in his racing program, but i'm thinking Red Bull want to methodically find out how much better they can make remco this year. In that regard i like his schedule. 2 big 1 week stage races, 2-3 ardennes classics and a couple of less important stage races to help gauge the training progress.

It’s a great schedule for a GT rider, but Evenepoel is more than that.

 

[Red Rick]

Getting Evenepoel for a buy out + the absurd wages he gets doesn't make any sense if you're just aiming for the TdF which you're probably not gonna win at all.

Even if you want to argue for his marketing and PR value, that gets so much higher if he's in there in races like MSR and RVV

 

[Berniece]

Getting Evenepoel for a buy out + the absurd wages he gets doesn't make any sense if you're just aiming for the TdF which you're probably not gonna win at all.

Even if you want to argue for his marketing and PR value, that gets so much higher if he's in there in races like MSR and RVV

I still hope they decide he should go for MSR if altitude camp goes well

 

[KoopaCycling]

Getting Evenepoel for a buy out + the absurd wages he gets doesn't make any sense if you're just aiming for the TdF which you're probably not gonna win at all.

Even if you want to argue for his marketing and PR value, that gets so much higher if he's in there in races like MSR and RVV

Catalunya and Dauphiné are important. UAE is technically WT. Amstel and LBL are amongst the biggest one day races, and he'll ride all the big objectives in the fall (except EC RR probably as that would prob. clash with lombardia, i personally would rly want him to win the EC RR though, not that wins are a given just by showing up)

Now i understand what you're getting at, but if we step back from wanting Remco to compete on more monuments, other one week stage races, it rly isn't a bad shedule.

 

[Cycling111]

UAE Tour is a WT race, but also the TDU, and winning it isn't relevant. Besides, Remco has already won UAE Tour.

It would add more prestige to his record adding Paris-Nice or Tirreno-Adriatico.

 

[Berniece]

UAE Tour is a WT race, but algo the TDU, and winning it isn't relevant. Besides, Remco has already won UAE Tour.

It would add more prestige to his record adding Paris-Nice or Tirreno-Adriatico.

Doesn’t work with his altitude camp. If he wins Catalunya we know it was worth it

 

[red_flanders]

UAE didn't want Pogacar to ride Flanders either, and they were even more reluctant about Roubaix. But a rider of that caliber can overrule the team.
In the end, the team's star decision prevails.

Very true. I think there are two factors. One, Pogi is UAE, and the top rider in the world, where Remco is the new guy. A huge star and signing, but less in total control of the team. The other thing is that it’s gonna be easier to convince a guy with that injury history to take it easier this year. But I don’t think he’s doing whatever the team says, he certainly signed with conditions like a guaranteed Tour leadership.

 

[Ulle97]

Thought Remco would have made it 4 out of 4 today in Mallorca. Very poor showing.

Surprised the haters haven't been on here yet to troll him.

 

[vappaxbipmv]

Thought Remco would have made it 4 out of 4 today in Mallorca. Very poor showing.

Surprised the haters haven't been on here yet to troll him.

Technically he didn't make 3/3 either. TTT win counts as team win but not as rider's win

 

[AmRacer]

Thought Remco would have made it 4 out of 4 today in Mallorca. Very poor showing.

Surprised the haters haven't been on here yet to troll him.

Maybe the lovers could come up with an Excuse why Remco didn't win? 🙃