boogerd also had some tactical choices go against him. When he lost to Rebellin both AGR and LBL he was stronger but just couldnt drop him, Rebellin was just faster. Rebellin later said he was on the verge of breaking on Saint Nicolas.. if Boogerd had given just a bit more.
Then a year later...
vdp is a once in a lifetime talent. But they do not need to despair, there's still plenty of dutch talent after VDP. But getting 2/3 monuments every year is not gonna happen lol
we are positively super spoiled now. Since Boogerd retired Dutch riders finally managed to win LBL, Lombardia, RVV, Roubaix and MSR + stages in all GC's + A Grand Tour + in general a lot more gc classifications as well.
Boogerd's era was comparitively pathetic from the dutch side.
apart from vingegaard and pogi he pretty much crushed the ot her "GC" guys today. Extreme level. People underestimate what he's done.
Ofc Pog could've won any day and Vinge as well. But they do not count.
Michael Boogerd La Plagne stage win was etched in my memory forever.
But holy *** Arensman actually outdid him. Yes Pogi/Vinge kinda ruined it for themselves but fact remains Arensman beat every other GC contender from the GC group without an early break. Super *** impressive
still idk. He's physically strong enough to do mental things. Especially in those ultra hard days..that when things align he could actually gc podium a Giro or Vuelta
tbh, pog did drop vinge easily with the 60-90s accelerations on hilly stages before. Now he did not.
But its vingegaard that needs to make up time and I don't see that happening.
if MVDP wants to go for it in his career he should do it this year. He'll never get this chance again. But I'm afraid he'll lose too many points working for Philipsen in the 4/5 sprint stages.