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

[Netserk]

and i think it goes to show that amstel was an important victory ( his greatest victory in his trade team jersey in 3 years )

 

[Berniece]

The years following crashes (2021, 2024, 2025) where the once without WT wins (exc stages) although it only tells part of the story (podium TdF, OC wins, exceptional autumn campaign in 2025...).

I wonder how many riders of the current era wouldn't want to swap their accomplishments up to the age of 26? Maybe only the few that won a TdF before that age. Any others?

I think he's doing fine. He is 26 and almost top 30 in all-time ranking of PCS. He is basically 3rd based on the active riders. Pogacar and Roglic are doing better, but he'll easily surpass Roglic within the next 2-3 seasons. He'll eventually finish in the top 10 of the all-time ranking.

Doesn't mean it wouldn't be nice to see him win some WT stage races and monuments on top of that.

 

[dobrien]

We shall see and Catalunya was not just prep for De Ronde, but also for Remco's Ardennes campaign. I think Pog won't be optimally prepared for Liege, having ridden PR and no stage race thus far. If Remco has a super day he can challenge Pogacar.

Don’t get me wrong, that was a very nice win yesterday, and I am happy to see him riding well in the classics. He (very pleasantly) surprised me with his podium at Flanders, didn’t think he had that in him tbh, so there is that. But…while Skjelmose is a very fine rider, not being able to drop him on the last Cauberg doesn’t exactly scream ‘threat to Pogacar on La Redoute and Roche aux Falcons’ either imho. It could be suggested he didn’t want to go too deep which I get, but I think if he could have dropped Skjelmose on the last hill he would have, makes no sense to chance a sprint if you can solo away the last few k.

I truly want to be wrong regarding LBL; it would be great for him, his team, and the race if he is on a big day. Perhaps if he wakes up with monster legs he can make a show of it but I think the most likely outcome is him riding in a fairly beaten 45 seconds to 1:15 back, with the podium battle being yet further behind. (Assuming no disasters befall anyone, of course). I’ll be rooting for him for sure.

 

[Extinction]

Don’t get me wrong, that was a very nice win yesterday, and I am happy to see him riding well in the classics. He (very pleasantly) surprised me with his podium at Flanders, didn’t think he had that in him tbh, so there is that. But…while Skjelmose is a very fine rider, not being able to drop him on the last Cauberg doesn’t exactly scream ‘threat to Pogacar on La Redoute and Roche aux Falcons’ either imho. It could be suggested he didn’t want to go too deep which I get, but I think if he could have dropped Skjelmose on the last hill he would have, makes no sense to chance a sprint if you can solo away the last few k.

I truly want to be wrong regarding LBL; it would be great for him, his team, and the race if he is on a big day. Perhaps if he wakes up with monster legs he can make a show of it but I think the most likely outcome is him riding in a fairly beaten 45 seconds to 1:15 back, with the podium battle being yet further behind. (Assuming no disasters befall anyone, of course). I’ll be rooting for him for sure.

Skjelmose could be in the form of his life, we don't know, but he won last year beating Pog and Evenepoel in the sprint. So he isn't exactly an anonymous rider. He's got some serious qualities and the Cauberg isn't that hard so it doesn't really say much that Remco didn't drop him the last time up. It's more telling, I think that Skjelmose said he was on the limit and that Remco beat him so handily in the sprint to victory. I'm just saying the Remco going in to Liege this year is better than the one last year and that perhaps he will be more competitive against Pogacar, as in making it with him to the end. We'll see.

 

[fenns]

impressive yesterday - especially his expressionless ninja face riding behind Skelmose in the final 2 km

 

[Krzysztof_O]

Skjelmose could be in the form of his life, we don't know, but he won last year beating Pog and Evenepoel last year in the sprint. So he isn't exactly an anonymous rider. He's got some serious qualities and the Cauberg isn't that hard so it's doesn't really say much that Remco didn't drop him the last time up. It's more telling, I think that Skjelmose said he was on the limit and that Remco beat him so handedly in the sprint to victory. I'm just saying the Remco going in to Liege this year is better than the one last year and that perhaps he will be more competitive against Pogacar, as in making it with him to the end. We'll see.

Pogacar easily beat very strong competition in Flandres and Strade, heck, he even won MSR. What makes you think he won't do the same on a course that suits him even better (Liege) ?

 

[dobrien]

Skjelmose could be in the form of his life, we don't know, but he won last year beating Pog and Evenepoel last year in the sprint. So he isn't exactly an anonymous rider. He's got some serious qualities and the Cauberg isn't that hard so it's doesn't really say much that Remco didn't drop him the last time up. It's more telling, I think that Skjelmose said he was on the limit and that Remco beat him so handedly in the sprint to victory. I'm just saying the Remco going in to Liege this year is better than the one last year and that perhaps he will be more competitive against Pogacar, as in making it with him to the end. We'll see.

Good points for sure, well put.

 

[Extinction]

Pogacar easily beat very strong competition in Flandres and Strade, heck, he even won MSR. What makes you think he won't do the same on a course that suits him even better (Liege) ?

I didn't say he won't, but only that Roubaix isn't the best prep for Liege. He obviously didn't pay for it last year, but each year is different and even he can have an off-day after such a racing cobbles campaign.

 

[vappa]

impressive yesterday - especially his expressionless ninja face riding behind Skelmose in the final 2 km

On the Cauberg where Gregoire was dropped Remco's face looked like he was going all out and Skjelmose was chilling behind

 

[Krzysztof_O]

I didn't say he won't, but only that Roubaix isn't the best prep for Liege. He obviously didn't pay for it last year, but each year is different and even he can have an off-day after such a racing cobbles campaign.

Day off is a very rare thing when it comes to Pogacar. Maybe he had one during last year's AGR (one week after being almost dead in Roubaix) but he bounced back very well in FW and LBL. This year they are more cautious and post PR break is longer (also due to Romandie), he should be firing on all cylinders on Sunday.

 

[Berniece]

I didn't say he won't, but only that Roubaix isn't the best prep for Liege. He obviously didn't pay for it last year, but each year is different and even he can have an off-day after such a racing cobbles campaign.

He'll be completely well rested. Barely does any racing

 

[Berniece]

A bit disappointing he isn't starting in Fleche, but I get the reasoning. As long as the race will be exciting on Sunday then. Otherwise it will look like a missed opportunity.

Remco Evenepoel past (dan toch) voor de Waalse Pijl: "Focus op herstel na de Amstel Gold Race" | sporza

Remco Evenepoel (26) gaat woensdag niet van start in de Waalse Pijl. De winnaar van de Amstel Gold Race had gisteren de deur duidelijk op een kier gezet om de Waalse Pijl alsnog aan zijn programma toe te voegen, maar Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe bevestigt dat Evenepoel niet zal meestrijden op de Muur...

sporza.be

 

[peterfin]

An optimal (and realistic) scenario for Remco on Sunday would be a race where he can stay within reach of Pogacar on the top of La Redoutte (let say 20-30s max), preferably together with Seixas. If he (or they) manage to get back to Pog's wheel I am curious how the sprint turns out. Remco is fast after a long race so I don't think Pogacar wins easily (while I would a few year ago). The major risk might be positioning. If he starts too much behind at the start of La Redoutte he may deplete his reserves to stay in the race. So his team has a clear goal: make sure he is in front at the start of the climb. I hope he gets optimal support because he needs it.

 

[Krzysztof_O]

An optimal (and realistic) scenario for Remco on Sunday would be a race where he can stay within reach of Pogacar on the top of La Redoutte (let say 20-30s max), preferably together with Seixas. If he (or they) manage to get back to Pog's wheel I am curious how the sprint turns out. Remco is fast after a long race so I don't think Pogacar wins easily (while I would a few year ago). The major risk might be positioning. If he starts too much behind at the start of La Redoutte he may deplete his reserves to stay in the race. So his team has a clear goal: make sure he is in front at the start of the climb. I hope he gets optimal support because he needs it.

20-30 seconds is way too much (it's demolition) as the terrain afterwards is difficult to chase and Pog can increase the gap on subsequent climbs and downhills. 10 seconds behind Pog on Redoute top is maximum and even then I don't know if it will work.

 

[Peyresourde]

When his calendar came out originally my biggest criticism was not Flanders or MSR missing, but Fleche. It is ridiculous for a rider like Remco, who is focusing on the Ardennes, to skip this race. He will probably do a hard training on Wednesday anyway.

I thought he had turned a corner after Amstel, but his team seems to have blocked it? Really weak from the team then and an almost incomprehensible decision.

Also disappointed that Pogacar is not doing it. For him I understood not doing Amstel, but riding Fleche would have been perfectly possible.


Fleche is still an important and exciting race for me regardless of how much people (in this forum) seem to dislike it.

 

[vappa]

An optimal (and realistic) scenario for Remco on Sunday would be a race where he can stay within reach of Pogacar on the top of La Redoutte (let say 20-30s max), preferably together with Seixas. If he (or they) manage to get back to Pog's wheel I am curious how the sprint turns out. Remco is fast after a long race so I don't think Pogacar wins easily (while I would a few year ago). The major risk might be positioning. If he starts too much behind at the start of La Redoutte he may deplete his reserves to stay in the race. So his team has a clear goal: make sure he is in front at the start of the climb. I hope he gets optimal support because he needs it.

They'd have to catch him agter RaF, otherwise he'll just drop them again and that is immediately followed by another climb where he can increase the gap

 

[Extinction]

Day off is a very rare thing when it comes to Pogacar. Maybe he had one during last year's AGR (one week after being almost dead in Roubaix) but he bounced back very well in FW and LBL. This year they are more cautious and post PR break is longer (also due to Romandie), he should be firing on all cylinders on Sunday.

We'll see

 

[Berniece]

When his calendar came out originally my biggest critisicm was not Flanders or MSR missing, but Fleche. It is ridiculous for a rider like Remco, who is focusing on the Ardennes, to skip this race. He will probably do a hard training on Wednesday anyway.

Doesn't this just show they know where his limitations are?

 

[Peyresourde]

Doesn't this just show they know where his limitations are?

Everyone has limitations, that does not mean he cannot win the race. My main criticism is that he is probably in the area anyways and will also do a hard training that day. So he might as well do the race. (Which was probably his personal plan, so here I am mainly criticising his team that does not allow him to start)

I think his climbing/punch is at least slightly better this year and with this field he could podium even with the peloton arriving in Huy together.
And if he really wants to win, he could try an attack on the second last Mur. Then he can get away with Seixas and Skjelmose (and maybe 1 other rider) and try to cook them on the flat afterwards. Maybe he still looses to Seixas in that case, but he is far from hopeless.

 

[Berniece]

Everyone has limitations, that does not mean he cannot win the race. My main criticism is that he is probably in the area anyways and will also do a hard training that day. So he might as well do the race. (Which was probably his personal plan, so here I am mainly criticising his team that does not allow him to start)

I think his climbing/punch is at least slightly better this year and with this field he could podium even with the peloton arriving in Huy together.
And if he really wants to win, he could try an attack on the second last Mur. Then he can get away with Seixas and Skjelmose (and maybe 1 other rider) and try to cook them on the flat afterwards. Maybe he still looses to Seixas in that case, but he is far from hopeless.

They probably think he would go too deep to try and win

 

[Peyresourde]

They probably think he would go too deep to try and win

Yes, maybe they think he only has a chance if he goes from far (and thus very deep), but I still don't think that would negatively impact his performance on Sunday. I have often seen riders do PB-level performances the very next day after going hard (including Evenepoel), not to mention 4 days later.

The team might think they know, bit imo they don't really know. There are many factors involved, and the training science is not (yet) as perfect as they try to sell it sometimes. Last year the circumstances were completely different.

 

[Berniece]

Yes, maybe they think he only has a chance if he goes from far (and thus very deep), but I still don't think that would negatively impact his performance on Sunday. I have often seen riders do PB-level performances the very next day after going hard (including Evenepoel), not to mention 4 days later.

The team might think they know, bit imo they don't really know. There are many factors involved, and the training science is not (yet) as perfect as they try to sell it sometimes. Last year the circumstances were completely different.

His whole spring campaign is leading to this Sunday. They need to know if the work he put in, and the different training approach brings him closer to Pogacar compared to WC RR/UEC RR. They just don't want to take any chances.

 

[Peyresourde]

His whole spring campaign is leading to this Sunday. They need to know if the work he put in, and the different training approach brings him closer to Pogacar compared to WC RR/UEC RR. They just don't want to take any chances.

Maybe it is just that I personally evaluate the importance of these races differently. In my own ranking, Amstel and Fleche are Tier 1 classics (worth 15 points for the winner) and LBL as a monument is worth 30 points.

So Amstel+Fleche together is for me equal to LBL. If the team or Evenepoel see this differently, then it might make slightly more sense.

 

[red_flanders]

I mean, if a rider doesn’t have an elite uphill sprint, the chances of a win or even podium are almost nil.

Remco not going to MSR is a shame. This? Meh.

 

[Krzysztof_O]

So Amstel+Fleche together is for me equal to LBL. If the team or Evenepoel see this differently, then it might make slightly more sense.

It depends on riders and teams preferences. Liege is still a monument.
I.e. for someone like Pogacar monuments are infinitely more important (than other classics) as he's chasing Merckx in the all-time ranking.
Judging by the lack of Pogacar, Evenepoel and Pidcock it's clear they value Liege waaay higher than Fleche.