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

[Brullnux]

These guys are on the bike every single day, for hours. The notion of being technically inept is ridiculous

No pro cyclist is totally inept, but some have poor enough handling skills that it makes a difference (both in terms of speed, and number of crashes). It's a relative difference, not an absolute one.

 

[Berniece]

No pro cyclist is totally inept, but some have poor enough handling skills that it makes a difference (both in terms of speed, and number of crashes). It's a relative difference, not an absolute one.

I agree, but none of them randomly press their front brake too hard

 

[KoopaCycling]

These guys are on the bike every single day, for hours. The notion of being technically inept is ridiculous

But there are levels. Ask Nys for some trickery and he'll do it with ease. Ask Remco and he'll tell you to wait a couple of years. Do not get me wrong. I think remco has improved since his rookie days. And I do not think he has poor bike handling, just average bike handling for a pro these days. Remco is just one of those guys where boring is not an option. for good or bad. In any case people are also still saying remco is a poor descender. When in fact he's become above average at it. He ain't a Pidcock or Seixas (if what i saw in Basque holds true) but he's better than your average joe in the peloton.

 

[Berniece]

But there are levels. Ask Nys for some trickery and he'll do it with ease. Ask Remco and he'll tell you to wait a couple of years. Do not get me wrong. I think remco has improved since his rookie days. And I do not think he has poor bike handling, just average bike handling for a pro these days. Remco is just one of those guys where boring is not an option. for good or bad. In any case people are also still saying remco is a poor descender. When in fact he's become above average at it. He ain't a Pidcock or Seixas (if what i saw in Basque holds true) but he's better than your average joe in the peloton.

I know, but people are acting as if he’s a junior that rides for the first time professionally with these type of brakes

 

[peterfin]

We are just too much focussed on Remco's crashes. It's a general issue for pro riders. Just look at those that missed the start of this season because of a crash. MVDP and Pogacar are the exeptions, not the norm.

 

[red_flanders]

We are just too much focussed on Remco's crashes. It's a general issue for pro riders. Just look at those that missed the start of this season because of a crash. MVDP and Pogacar are the exeptions, not the norm.

Note that they're also both fantastic bike handlers, visibly avoiding crashes the last couple years that would have certainly taken down riders with lesser skill and awareness.

 

[Berniece]

Note that they're also both fantastic bike handlers, visibly avoiding crashes the last couple years that would have certainly taken down riders with lesser skill and awareness.

Both crashed in MSR

 

[SHAD0W93]

Both crashed in MSR

RF never said they never crash, just that they’re better at avoiding issues. Which is true, especially how MVDP gets out of situations. The cherry on top for MSR is Pogacar crashing and winning with a broken bike.

 

[AmRacer]

RF never said they never crash, just that they’re better at avoiding issues. Which is true, especially how MVDP gets out of situations. The cherry on top for MSR is Pogacar crashing and winning with a broken bike.

2025 season,
SB, crashed and won
TdF, crashed, was break checked, and won

 

[KoopaCycling]

2025 season,
SB, crashed and won
TdF, crashed, was break checked, and won

All that tell me is that he suffered less damage from these crashes. He did not win LBL went he crashed harder and suffered harsher damage.

 

[Berniece]

All that tell me is that he suffered less damage from these crashes. He did not win LBL went he crashed harder and suffered harsher damage.

That was pre-2024 though

 

[VayaVayaVaya]

Both are decent bike handlers and have done some great descending. They’re not exceptional like MVDP or Pogi, but I’d say at least average. They have each had IMO a fair share of bad luck, particularly Roglic, but they also have each had dumb crashes with no one to blame but themselves. I think the biggest factors are:

• Each got a late start to cycling relative to others
• Remco is a hothead, Roglic is a bit of an airhead, so both seem to get distracted at times
• Both are extremely competitive so more likely to push past their limit than the average rider

 

[red_flanders]

Both crashed in MSR

Every bike racer crashes. Some crash a lot more than others.

Some avoid a lot of disaster, some get caught up in disaster, some find disaster where none exists.

 

[KoopaCycling]

Every bike racer crashes. Some crash a lot more than others.

Some avoid a lot of disaster, some get caught up in disaster, some find disaster where none exists.

Seems a circumvent way of acknowledging that Pogacar has crashed quite a bit as well.
Just with lesser repercussions

 

[red_flanders]

Seems a circumvent way of acknowledging that Pogacar has crashed quite a bit as well.
Just with lesser repercussions

I thought it was a clear and direct statement of my point of view.

 

[CyclistAbi]

In this he's not very different to Roglic.

Most "high profile" Rogličes crashes where caused by other cyclists/people.

They’re not exceptional like MVDP or Pogi, but I’d say at least average.

Mathieu is quite a frequent crasher and Pogi started accumulating those too.

Yes, this is true. But knowing you have rim brakes makes you ride in a way that panic braking with rim brakes can resolve (i.e. a bit more cautious). On the other hand not having the possibility of locking up out of nowhere is what makes rim brakes safer.

The way this work on this level is you will take the risk regardless. The brake, as technology, it in most cases can't hence be a bad thing if it works better. At some point you will be on a limit and in that moment you IMHO should be confident in braking technology and not in panic mode. As the truth is you will be in panic mode already before even thinking about brakes technology you use.

 

[jmdirt]

I agree, but none of them randomly press their front brake too hard

Again, not true.

 

[jmdirt]

We are just too much focussed on Remco's crashes. It's a general issue for pro riders. Just look at those that missed the start of this season because of a crash. MVDP and Pogacar are the exeptions, not the norm.

Yes, if you race bikes you will crash. Crashes that are caused by other riders are just part of the game (even factoring in 'positioning'). Crashes that are your own fault should be at a minimum. Both RE fans and haters are going to especially devourer the self crashes.

 

[jmdirt]

View: https://youtube.com/shorts/G0wWJOaLDoU?si=myR9PO1dOMSMpRUW

 

[Berniece]

Again, not true.

Please share examples

 

[AmRacer]

Please share examples

Examples of things that are not true?

 

[Berniece]

Examples of things that are not true?

Examples that proof that something isn’t true. It’s not that hard.

 

[the asian]

Would the UCI return the U23 Category to hone the skills of the young recruits in bike handling and riding in a tightly packed peloton before moving in to WT? Most of the younger generation of cyclists like those who followed Remco's trajectory in WT by not spending some years in U23, are the most prone to crashes and DNFs. They are strong and agressive, but when it comes to positioning and shoving, they are always at the receiving end. Again, Ayuso just left the Tour of Basque Country due to a crash.

riders should spend at least one year at Under 23 level