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

[Oldman]

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.

This seems reasonable. The risks and GT climbing training can't wait in this planning progression, IMO. Recovery from PR, particularly the first time is no small thing.

 

[Oldman]

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.

of crashing?

 

[CyclistAbi]

Now that was a great Tour of Flanders debut.

 

[canina82]

without looking at the rest of the thread, something I found interesting if you remove championships and olympics. The biggest race that Remco has won (apart from stages) over the last 2 1/2 seasons ....bit long winded I know...:

is ...
one day - Brabantse Pijl
overall - Algarve?!

This should be the peak of his career.

He may not win a lot of important races but he wins on Tiktok.

View this content on Instagram

View this content on Instagram

View: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DWFGcYDDUpX/?igsh=N2I2cmdpYW5xeGlx

But now I understand why Vingegaard doesn't work with him. This is so cringe.

 

[CyclistAbi]

This is so cringe.

Why? They look good together and seem to have fun.

 

[canina82]

Why? They look good together and seem to have fun.

True but it's also cringy. Can't see Vingegaard doing something like that.

 

[red_flanders]

True but it's also cringy. Can't see Vingegaard doing something like that.

For sure it's a bit cringe, but "can't see Vingegaard doing something like that" sounds like a compliment to me.

 

[CyclistAbi]

Can't see Vingegaard doing something like that.

Pogi would, though. Likely it comes down to the age.