106th Ronde van Vlaanderen: April 3rd, 2022

[Extinction]

It would have been really interesting with a couple extra guys in the group to change the dynamic. He won LBL and other races against decently explosive guys that way. I think he was too scared and if it had been anyone other than MVDP he would’ve went earlier and had a better shot.

In fact, his LBL sprint victory was why I concluded that he needed to go from a rolling momentum position, launch himself already quasi up to speed and continue to the very line. Of course, he still could have lost. But I think it was his only shot against MVDP. Consider how Asgreen prevailed he, yes, took off from behing MVDP, but while already up to rolling speed and then the Dutchman eventually blew up. Another example of a long, grinding power sprint was Lemond's at the 89 Worlds, which wore out Konishev, Kelly, Rooks and Fignon.

 

[Kwibus]

I cracked a wry smile when I read MVDP's comment "maybe he was the strongest of the race...". No, sir, he was the strongest. It's like Cancellara put it: "I was impressed with Tadej for 270 ks, while I was impressed with MVDP for 300 meters,"...during which he made a "badass" move to "school" Pogacar in the end.

You had to hear him say it, because if you heard him say it he pretty much confirmed that Tadej was the strongest. It was that it felt like Tadej was the strongest as he also admitted that he almost had to let go on the final Paterberg climb and that the Oude Kwaremont before that was also pure suffering. Context is so important once again.
If anything Mathieu simply said that he would've been completely content if Pogacar would've won as Pogacar deserved to win, but ofcourse Mathieu deserved it as well. It's bike racing afterall.

 

[Red Rick]

Cancellara is a bit young to start sounding like old man yelling at clouds.

 

[Extinction]

You had to hear him say it, because if you heard him say it he pretty much confirmed that Tadej was the strongest. It was that it felt like Tadej was the strongest as he also admitted that he almost had to let go on the final Paterberg climb and that the Oude Kwaremont before that was also pure suffering. Context is so important once again.
If anything Mathieu simply said that he would've been completely content if Pogacar would've won as Pogacar deserved to win, but ofcourse Mathieu deserved it as well. It's bike racing afterall.

In the end, Tadej erred in bring everything back himself. He should have inspired others to take up the charge, saving everything for the last Paterberg and then crush it! He had the legs, not the tactical nous. Even the greats need to learn.

 

[Kwibus]

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OgceBBiG_MI

spoiled little child.

I can forgive him this after such a race and being so high on adrenaline. Hope it doesn't happen too often though. Not much later when his dissapointment and anger was gone he said that it was all his own fault. So let's hope he really felt like that. UAE did complain at the jury though.

 

[Extinction]

I can forgive him this after such a race and being so high on adrenaline. Hope it doesn't happen too often though. Not much later when his dissapointment and anger was gone he said that it was all his own fault. So let's hope he really felt like that. UAE did complain at the jury though.

Indeed, in the moment it is understandable. You can't expect immediate recognition of one's own ***-up, the brain sees someone else at fault. For one could not have *** it up that bad. And yet, yes, Tadej skrewed up royally.

 

[Oldermanish]

Indeed, in the moment it is understandable. You can't expect immediate recognition of one's own *-up, the brain sees someone else at fault. For one could not have * it up that bad. And yet, yes, Tadej skrewed up royally.

Both he and MVP will remember that race and how small decisions can make a win or less. They'll remember it long after their career ends!

 

[Frankschleck]

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OgceBBiG_MI

spoiled little child.

Well I lost some respect after this. Still enjoy Pogacar as a cyclist, but I will never cheer for people behaving like that. Obviously he is young and adrenaline kick, but that doesn't excuse it at all.

 

[tobydawq]

Well I lost some respect after this. Still enjoy Pogacar as a cyclist, but I will never cheer for people behaving like that. Obviously he is young and adrenaline kick, but that doesn't excuse it at all.

A very harsh take, I think.

 

[Frankschleck]

A very harsh take, I think.

Yeah. Guess it is different from person to person, but understand that it might be a harsh view. I just like sportsmanship, whereas I began cheering on Roglic after how he handled the tour defeat. But all kudos to Pogacar as a bike rider.

 

[Sciatic]

Yeah. Guess it is different from person to person, but understand that it might be a harsh view. I just like sportsmanship, whereas I began cheering on Roglic after how he handled the tour defeat. But all kudos to Pogacar as a bike rider.

There’s something about getting cut off (or perceiving that it was the case) or getting cut in line that briefly enrages people. So much of car rage usually starts that way (and often ends badly). Maybe there’s something in our evolutionary makeup—like from someone else beating you to grab the last piece of mammoth meat—that’s now in our genes and gets reactivated every time someone cuts us off. Pogacar is free to use this explanation if he’d like.