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

[KoopaCycling]

He should focus on Amstel now

 

[Gigs_98]

I'm torn on Paris Roubaix. He's the best TTer in the world right now and I think the best TTer in the world should give PR a shot. Maybe he's not ready to win it yet but it's the kind of race where he can use the experience if he wants to be a contender in a few years. But man I just really don't think he's gonna have a great time there. I don't think the weakness that he will have one the really rough cobbles has been exploited today. The way the race went was kind of convenient for him, where everything was kinda calm pre Molenberg, then he made the split on the Molenberg, and it was kinda calm again until the 2nd Kwaremont at which point the finale was already starting.

In Roubaix, even though the race might be just as selective as a whole, there is no one sector as selective as the cobbled hills in RVV. Maybe the group he's in will be quite small with 100km to go again, at which point things like positioning become much easier. But even then that means he already has 70 kms of constant fighting for positions and riding on really rough cobbles in his legs. I mean, as long as he manages to stay upright on the cobbles he should still be able to get a decent result, but I just can't see him being as comfortable there as he was in RVV.

 

[saunaking]

I wish he would do PR. With bike tech the way it is now, its less of a specialist race vs 10 years ago. Remco should never come to this race with 23mm tyres inflated to 8bars.

But now? Why not?

 

[Sciatic]

I wish he would do PR. With bike tech the way it is now, its less of a specialist race vs 10 years ago. Remco should never come to this race with 23mm tyres inflated to 8bars.

But now? Why not?

For my entertainment’s sake I hope he does. Aside from the more ornery type of stones (pave vs. cobbles), a big difference at Roubaix are the number of 90 degrees (or close it) corners on surfaces that are pave and dirt. This is one of the things that gives MVDP an advantage over other riders including Pogacar. Fortunately following MVDP too closely through one of those corners won’t send him off the side of the bridge as happened following Nibali.

 

[houtdffan]

For my entertainment’s sake I hope he does. Aside from the more ornery type of stones (pave vs. cobbles), a big difference at Roubaix are the number of 90 degrees (or close it) corners on surfaces that are pave and dirt. This is one of the things that gives MVDP an advantage over other riders including Pogacar. Fortunately following MVDP too closely through one of those corners won’t send him off the side of the bridge as happened following Nibali.

Or remco can go to the front and simply ride a devastating TT from arenberg to the finish. Won't need to worry about following too close then

 

[Sciatic]

Or remco can go to the front and simply ride a devastating TT from arenberg to the finish. Won't need to worry about following too close then

Even if he could manage that I doubt he would be leading coming out of Arenberg.

 

[jmdirt]

But was it the cobbles or was it the steep incline

Yes

 

[jmdirt]

How much is technique though versus slight physiological differences.

80% technique.

 

[iBanesto]

Defining moment for Evenepoel.

He could have possibly finished 2nd.

 

[MJR]

Agreed that today was a fantastic result and one that bodes well for future attempts. It's easy to say "he should win this one day", 'cause we've said that about Wout for years. But if one can podium a certain race, they can reasonable expect to contest for the win, too.

And he should definitely go to Roubaix this year. Maybe his trainers and coach need to be grabbed by the shoulders and told that going to the Tour for another possible third place is pointless, but I think his power would translate well to PR. And if folks are worried about his handling ability on the cobbles, well, let's start fixing that now.

I really hope he realizes that his focus is better spent on classics and not GTs.

 

[AlpRaid]

Roubaix next year with time to prep and get "used to" those cobbles (very different from today).

He needs to not have any bad crashes. Already, Catalunya, he crashed in kind of a freak accident. I have no problem with him doing P-R, but next year. He needs to focus on staying healthy for one entire season (something that has basically never happened).

And Amstel provides a chance at least to win again. Since he won't win LBL.

My 2 cents anyway.

 

[AlpRaid]

Defining moment for Evenepoel.

He could have possibly finished 2nd.

I disagree.

I think he was bluffing by trying to take command. He knew full well he would have difficulty following and anyone who is climbing with better climbers knows full well that you start at the front to give you a shot at drifting back.

He was third best. And that's a simple fact.

 

[AmRacer]

Roubaix next year with time to prep and get "used to" those cobbles (very different from today).

He needs to not have any bad crashes. Already, Catalunya, he crashed in kind of a freak accident. I have no problem with him doing P-R, but next year. He needs to focus on staying healthy for one entire season (something that has basically never happened).

And Amstel provides a chance at least to win again. He won't win LBL.

My 2 cents anyway.

Riders crashing is part of the game. Some crashing better than others.

I think he should do P-R next Sunday just to get experience.