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

[Red Rick]

With wind sideways profile matters slightly more, which may affect Evenepoel slightly less. But it's gonna be small differences, and Del Toro's TT wasn't really impressive and pretty much up to the standard of him before he broke through last season.

 

[Netserk]

With wind sideways profile matters slightly more, which may affect Evenepoel slightly less. But it's gonna be small differences, and Del Toro's TT wasn't really impressive and pretty much up to the standard of him before he broke through last season.

his flat tts were similar last year

 

[Red Rick]

his flat tts were similar last year

I'm referring to his TTs last season and bottling the explanation okay. Even in the Giro in which he was supposedly flying he got taken to the cleaners by an ailing Ayuso and a Roglic who couldn't stay on his bike for longer than 13 seconds.

I would also really not expect Del Toro to put major emphasis on his ITT in the off season when he's not gonna lead any GT.

That is unless he's planned for Tour/Vuelta and nobody told me.

 

[Berniece]

That is unless he's planned for Tour/Vuelta and nobody told me.

Nope, Vuelta also reserved for Pogacar if he feels like it. Del Toro can “grow” as a rider by playing domestique

 

[Red Rick]

Nope, Vuelta also reserved for Pogacar if he feels like it. Del Toro can “grow” as a rider by playing domestique

I'll believe it when I see it.

I think they just don't announce him not racing it because they love the clicks of the "will he or won't he" thing so much.

 

[red_flanders]

I think the wind caused Del Toro to lose a few more seconds, but I don't think you can expect him to do (much) better than the likes of Van Wilder or Tiberi.

I wouldn't expect him to do a better TT than Van Wilder. Granted it's early season but in general, Van Wilder is quite good in the TT...

 

[Ilmaestro99]

with Van Gils out, does this mean Remco is in MSR and RVV since he was the first reserve?

No, they should send Roglic instead

 

[Extinction]

I've read that Remco is at his same early season weight as in past years, however, looking at him on the bike he just seems fitter. Seeing him in the TT yesterday, moreover, his body appears more like a man than a boy. In other words, he's coming into physical maturity. It will be intersting to see how he climbs soon.

 

[Berniece]

I've read that Remco is at his same early season weight as in past years, however, looking at him on the bike he just seems fitter. Seeing him in the TT yesterday, moreover, his body appears more like a man than a boy. In other words, he's coming into physical maturity. It will be intersting to see how he climbs soon.

He's at his peak Ardennes weight already early in the season. At SOQ he might start the season at 65kg and eventually by the time LBL is around the corner he weight 63kg. Now he's already at 63kg.

Random numbers, I don't know his weight, but I think that's why you are seeing a difference.

 

[bah]

Not looking very impressive on this climb unfortunately.

 

[Extinction]

Answer: negative, with cramps apparently.

 

[repre]

He needs to be called 'Sweating Belgian' from now on

 

[Snake]

He can't literally perform on serious climbs without altitude camp

 

[Berniece]

We'll know after the stage, I'm pretty sure it's just the heat

 

[bah]

We'll know after the stage, I'm pretty sure it's just the heat

I hate to say it but it's "just something" too often.

 

[Berniece]

I hate to say it but it's "just something" too often.

That's true, even more so if you see who is in front of him

 

[Rackham]

The team made loads of recruitments at a staff level presumably with a view to implementing a 'plan' which involved not having these sorts of days.

So I'd look at the team first and ask what they're doing here. It's their race schedule they've given him. It's their preparation.

 

[fenns]

Early in the season but not looking good. He's regressed as a climber since 2024.

 

[Cycling111]

Remco isn't a climber. It shows in his physique and in how he struggles every time a climb reaches double digits.

Although I think he can have another Tour like the one in 2024, to do so he has to sacrifice and train more than others who are natural climbers.
That's why it's going to be very difficult for him to win the Tour or the Giro. Whenever there's a great climber, it's going to be very difficult for him.

On the other hand, Lipowitz is a very good climber; he's proven it even when it seemed like it wasn't his time yet.

The question at this point is whether it's worth dedicating entire seasons to the preparation he needs for the Tour, or if he should train for races like Flanders and Roubaix, overcoming his struggles in those types of races. Obviously, winning the Tour is paramount, but once Pogacar and Vingegard will retire (Remco debuted the same year), he has riders like Seixas, who is a naturally climber.

 

[Berniece]

The team made loads of recruitments at a staff level presumably with a view to implementing a 'plan' which involved not having these sorts of days.

So I'd look at the team first and ask what they're doing here. It's their race schedule they've given him. It's their preparation.

Bad prep, as in, no heat training? When you look at Del Toro, he was soaking wet, looked like he threw 100L of fluids on himself during the last 10km's. Evenepoel didn't. We saw something similar in the Tour during Hautacam stage. Was dropped, went to the car, started putting ice cubes in his jersey and clawed his way back in the descent.

 

[Extinction]

Remco isn't a climber. It shows in his physique and in how he struggles every time a climb reaches double digits.

Although I think he can have another Tour like the one in 2024, to do so he has to sacrifice and train more than others who are natural climbers.
That's why it's going to be very difficult for him to win the Tour or the Giro. Whenever there's a great climber, it's going to be very difficult for him.

On the other hand, Lipowitz is a very good climber; he's proven it even when it seemed like it wasn't his time yet.

The question at this point is whether it's worth dedicating entire seasons to the preparation he needs for the Tour, or if he should train for races like Flanders and Roubaix, overcoming his struggles in those types of races. Obviously, winning the Tour is paramount, but once Pogacar and Vingegard will retire (Remco debuted the same year), he has riders like Seixas, who is a naturally climber.

Yea, it's become apparent that a climb like today becomes his "race of truth".

 

[KoopaCycling]

I have to agree that remco seems to need to be in GT shape in order to be able be decent at a climb like today.
I would not say he can't win the Giro/Tour as a result. Tour especially does not have the steepest gradients.
Del Toro looked like a million bucks again. He knew this climb, and paced it perfect.

I am curious if he'll do an interview. Whereas Del Toro paced himself near perfect, Remco just blew himself up early.
I think he underestimated the climb. But even if he did not, he would have only been able to do damage control today. Maybe lose 1 minute instead of 2.

I'm also curious what remco will do on saturday. How he'll ride then.

 

[Rou]

I have to agree that remco seems to need to be in GT shape in order to be able be decent at a climb like today.
I would not say he can't win the Giro/Tour as a result. Tour especially does not have the steepest gradients.
Del Toro looked like a million bucks again. He knew this climb, and paced it perfect.

I agree that the Tour is the best GT parcour wise for Remco.
There are no monsters like Zoncolan, Mortirolo, Angliru, Gamoniteiro etc..
The problem is the opposition is the biggest at the Tour.

 

[Red Rick]

I did not overreact to the early season mickey mouse wins, but I will also not overreact now

 

[Didinho]

Maybe drank not enough in the easy part of the stage, seemed like cramping. Looked good when he bridged to the front, but you knew he was done when he got dropped again.

Curious what he’ll say about it himself.