Evenepoel looks for new margins with Landa in U.S., is Merlier the rabbit out of the Tour hat?
CyclingWednesday, 20 November 2024 at 08:00
During the past Tour de France, it was clear that Mikel Landa's arrival was a good move for Soudal Quick-Step. Leader Remco Evenepoel almost always had the assistance of his Basque teammate uphill, who also managed to secure fifth place in the GC. Meanwhile, the focus is on 2025; the two are in America.
According to Het Nieuwsblad, the two GC riders from the blue Belgian formation are there to take their time trial skills to an even higher level in the wind tunnel. Last year, Evenepoel did the same, which earned him a fantastic year in the time trial, including wins at the Tour, the Olympics, and the World Championships. This is no mean feat, so he will be seeking additional margins again this year.
Read more below the photo.
Landa and Evenepoel proved a fine duo in 2024.
Do Strava activities suggest Merlier participates in the Tour? Evenepoel trains with sprinter and Landa
Besides the wind tunnel tests, there is also time for sports in California. Indeed, Evenepoel conducted a running session with Tim Merlier in the United States. "Beat the jet leg," captioned the successful sprinter, who recorded many fine victories in 2024 with that activity. Is Merlier, perhaps, because of his presence in the U.S., on his way to Tour participation? The Belgian sprinter indicated earlier that he would love to sprint in France and combine that with working for Evenepoel's classification.
The day after that run, it was back to the two certainties for the Tour de France: Evenepoel and Landa. "Con free Landa," Evenepoel posted tellingly above his activity of a good sixty kilometers. That Landa feels at home with the Belgian team, having previously had to share the leaderboard frequently in many teams, was evident in 2024. That leaves us wanting more!
Il Lombardia 2024
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Latest Comments
- Van Aert is really handsome. He can influence me all day! Ditto for Philipsen. Why do you think many of us love cycling?: to see heroic attempts at climbing mountains at high altitudes or to watch speedsters sprint for the finish line or to watch a human being ride at break neck speed down a tricky descent? No, it's all about their lean physiques and muscular legs. (apologies for objectifying these dedicated and amazing athletes).BarwonHeadsUp25-10-2024
- It is unfortunate that the author can't feel the joy that Pogacar brings to the sport and his fans who are legion and I for one feel lucky to have watched such a memorable performance and historic season From the Strada until yesterday with multiple wins in stages in both tours and beyond dominance in the World's. He is proud to wear the Rainbow stripes, shows his leadership to protect his fellows and is as courteous and sportsman-like as the sport allows. He goes early to not have to respond to each attack as all the rest would make him do it. Any racer who could would do the same. Don't "grow tired" of greatness as it is always fleeting.ccrider13-10-2024
- What load of rubbish. Pog is likely a once in a generation cyclist, the like of which hasn't been seen since 'the Cannibal '. How many people were complaining that Merckx was making racing predictable? I remember this year's World RR as one of the most exciting I've watched. Mainly BECAUSE Pog was the favourite and launched what everyone thought (Pog included) was a suicidal attack with 80km to go. For the next 2 hours, I was on the edge of my seat thinking "this is too much, even for Pog". Maybe Zonnefeld prefers the snooze-fest that is a bunch sprint? Like most people I know, I can't watch two hours of the bunch riding very fast... I wait for the final 5km and watch just the sprint. In any event, most races are won from a sprint or lone break. What difference does it make who makes the lone break? Ultimately, the other contenders will have to figure out a way to beat Pog. Even if that means collaboration between teams. It's going to be an exciting few seasons, until the next Pog arrives on the scene. If this is boring, heaven knows what exciting looks like!Michael513-10-2024
- This is not a gravel race. UCI fail, from the surface they are on to team tactics. In what country was the first "gravel race" in what country is the most popular gravel race? Go with the race model that created the discipline.
Barnes127411-10-2024 - And don't forget he has now won 4 of the big 10 races (Grand tours, Monuments and WC/OG) in one year with a chance to make that 5. (5 has only been done once before)Joostmehrtens05-10-2024