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

[AmRacer]

Remco is often in great shape after altitude camps, so I think he can beat Vingegaard this week. Even making it a very close fight for the win should be enough to change the discourse around here.

If that happens, Pogi will walk home the Tour.

 

[Pozzovivo]

If that happens, Pogi will walk home the Tour.

Why? If Remco reaches Vingegaard’s level, that is bad news for Pogacar. You seem to assume, that this could only happen if Vingegaard declines to Remco’s level, but that does not have to be the case.

And their level at Catalunya is not necessarily decisive for their level at the Tour either.

 

[Berniece]

I would also consider how he finishes in top 3.
If he is not too far from Vingegaard (assuming he wins) that would be great.
If he is more than 2 minutes behind, like Landa was in 2024, I wouldn't be impressed.

I agree. It's all about his position/gap to other riders. I just hope he also really tries to go for it on the more punchy stages. That he rides them as if they are one day races, or like when he had no GC ambitions in Vuelta 2023 anymore and just went stage hunting.

 

[AmRacer]

Why? If Remco reaches Vingegaard’s level, that is bad news for Pogacar. You seem to assume, that this could only happen if Vingegaard declines to Remco’s level, but that does not have to be the case.

And their level at Catalunya is not necessarily decisive for their level at the Tour either.

That would be the case, Jonas declines. If Jonas doesn't win easily, or doesn't win, no matter who's second, Pogi will walk home the Tour. Jonas will have a Giro in his leg as well.

 

[Pozzovivo]

That would be the case, Jonas declines

Pogacar is most likely winning the tour anyway. Regardless, why assume Vingegaard need to decline for their level to meet and not Remco improving?

I think he can and will improve this year.

 

[AmRacer]

Pogacar is most likely winning the tour anyway and in every way no matter what. Regardless, why assume Vingegaard need to decline for their level to meet and not Remco improving?

I think he can and will improve this year.

All riders improve

 

[Pozzovivo]

All riders improve

Improve relative to the competition* then

 

[AmRacer]

Improve relative to the competition* then

And relative to themselves.

 

[canina82]

Why? If Remco reaches Vingegaard’s level, that is bad news for Pogacar. You seem to assume, that this could only happen if Vingegaard declines to Remco’s level, but that does not have to be the case.

And their level at Catalunya is not necessarily decisive for their level at the Tour either.

Love the optimism. Remco will not reach Vingegaard's level and Pogacar doesn't lose any sleep thinking on Remco as a rival for the Tour.
We should compare Remco to guys like Lipo or Almeida, because they have the level to be on the podium in the Tour.

 

[Pozzovivo]

Love the optimism. Remco will not reach Vingegaard's level and Pogacar doesn't lose any sleep thinking on Remco as a rival for the Tour.
We should compare Remco to guys like Lipo or Almeida, because they have the level to be on the podium in the Tour.

Love the raw realism, but I honestly believe that Remco can be the main challenger for the Tour.

The other guys you mention are not the same level of talent as Remco come on. When Remco cleans up Vingegaard this week, oh boy...

 

[jono]

All riders improve

[citation needed]

 

[canina82]

Love the raw realism, but I honestly believe that Remco can be the main challenger for the Tour.

The other guys you mention are not the same level of talent as Remco come on. When Remco cleans up Vingegaard this week, oh boy...

If we are talking about overall talent, for sure Remco is miles better. However I was talking about climbing and only climbing and there my friend, Remco is not much more talented than Almeida or Lipo (marginally better imo).

 

[Pozzovivo]

If we are talking about overall talent, for sure Remco is miles better. However I was talking about climbing and only climbing and there my friend, Remco is not much more talented than Almeida or Lipo (marginally better imo).

Very fair. Almeida and Lipo, while really good, I just can't see them go full nuclear and win a TDF in this era. I have a feeling that Remco can do just that. At least once.

I also have a feeling he's in great shape and will beat Vingegaard this Volta Catalunya, so we'll see.

It will be more crowdy on the hype train again. I have tickets for everyone who wants to join

 

[YavorD]

Very fair. Almeida and Lipo, while really good, I just can't see them go full nuclear and win a TDF in this era. I have a feeling that Remco can do just that. At least once.

I also have a feeling he's in great shape and will beat Vingegaard this Volta Catalunya, so we'll see.

It will be more crowdy on the hype train again. I have tickets for everyone who wants to join

Do you offer refunds for those who want to get off the train?

 

[Pozzovivo]

Do you offer refunds for those who want to get off the train?

No refunds, but there are connecting trains to le gare de Seixas, if that's where you're going.

 

[Pozzovivo]

Remco just outsprinted Pidcock while Vingegaard was getting gapped in the group behind!

To quote Simon Yates:
"I would be scared, I’d be shitting myself."

 

[Extinction]

Remco is often in great shape after altitude camps, so I think he can beat Vingegaard this week. Even making it a very close fight for the win should be enough to change the discourse around here.

Honesty, I'm not convinced with all that climbing and his build.

 

[kingjr]

They'll make a proper sprinter of him yet. If he can't win yellow, he might go for the green jersey.

 

[Pozzovivo]

Honesty, I'm not convinced with all that climbing and his build.

It is dangerous to be convinced when it comes to Remco's climbing in a WT one week. But this time is different, he will cook Jonas!

 

[fenns]

he looked strong

 

[Red Rick]

They'll make a proper sprinter of him yet. If he can't win yellow, he might go for the green jersey.

Can't even beat the sprinters field in Catalunya.

 

[Krzysztof_O]

I also have a feeling he's in great shape and will beat Vingegaard this Volta Catalunya, so we'll see.

This would be a major surprise. If he's somewhat close to Vingo in the GC (i.e. under 1 minute) it would be a really good performance. I think he will end up in top3 showing good level in the mountains.

 

[kingjr]

Can't even beat the sprinters field in Catalunya.

He's still young!

Petacchi peaked at 29-31

 

[QueenStagiaire]

He's still young!

Petacchi peaked at 29-31

And Cipo peaked at 35, when he won at MSR, so no need to do that race soon as well.

 

[Extinction]

This would be a major surprise. If he's somewhat close to Vingo in the GC (i.e. under 1 minute) it would be a really good performance. I think he will end up in top3 showing good level in the mountains.

He needs to have made big progress from UAE Tour to perform at that level.