106th Ronde van Vlaanderen: April 3rd, 2022

[Red Rick]

The Liege sprint was super straightforward cause Valverde led out from way out while Pogacar started the sprint in the last wheel.

 

[Extinction]

Like I said before the race. Unless Pogacar drops him on the climbs I don't see him beating VDP in a group sprint. He couldn't in San Remo, he wouldn't here either.

Let's see though in the future if the shoe is on the other foot. I mean, MVDP is used to making the race, not following, as he did today and at MSR, which leaves one in a less explosive position in a final small group sprint. Today he got to save it all for the finish. True he had to bust his arse just to stay hitched to Tadej on the Paterberg, but I think in the end that actually worked to his advantage in the sprint. Because if you come through hell not totally destroyed, it often gives you an extra gear in the sprint to the line.

 

[tobydawq]

with all due respect to Alaphilippe, but his flat sprint isn't as good as WvA or VDP. Although still quite dangerous after a hard race.
Also, Alaphilippe often is a bit more tactically inept in his sprints as well. Has the power, but not always uses his brain

I don't think Alaphilippe made a mistake in that sprint, though. But yes, he does of course not have the speed of the crossers.

 

[Breezy1985]

Like RR said, VDP hit almost 1000W for 20s with a peak of 1400w. I don't think Pogacar would've won regardless. Sure as could've gotten 2nd, even in that 4 man sprint. All in all, he only has himself to blame

No one is to blame. Pog tried to drop everyone but could not and he isn't a top classics sprinter. No need for recrimination or finger pointing it was just everyone tried their best and VdPs best was better than everyone else

 

[Extinction]

with all due respect to Alaphilippe, but his flat sprint isn't as good as WvA or VDP. Although still quite dangerous after a hard race.
Also, Alaphilippe often is a bit more tactically inept in his sprints as well. Has the power, but not always uses his brain

Because Ala is D'Artagnan and goes on panache alone. Who needs brains?

 

[Breezy1985]

with all due respect to Alaphilippe, but his flat sprint isn't as good as WvA or VDP. Although still quite dangerous after a hard race.
Also, Alaphilippe often is a bit more tactically inept in his sprints as well. Has the power, but not always uses his brain

Ala's sprint is very dangerous

 

[Ranagazoo]

Van Baarle's 5th top 10 in the last 7 Flanders, and the other two were top 20. Very underrated rider.

 

[Extinction]

Van Baarle's 5th top 10 in the last 7 Flanders, and the other two were top 20. Very underrated rider.

Not when you consider there always are some Belgians up there that never win.

 

[johnymax]

Pogi's accelerations and riding on the climbs in the last 50km or so were some of the most insane things I ever saw in cycling. This kid...

But MvdP is a deserving winner.

 

[Akuryo]

I don't think Alaphilippe made a mistake in that sprint, though. But yes, he does of course not have the speed of the crossers.

But he was a crosser. So does he not have the speed of himself?! I'm confused as to why Alaphilippe isn't as fast as Alaphilippe? Or you talking about his brother now?

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Let's see though in the future if the shoe is on the other foot. I mean, MVDP is used to making the race, not following, as he did today and at MSR, which leaves one in a less explosive position in a final small group sprint. Today he got to save it all for the finish. True he had to bust his arse just to stay hitched to Tadej on the Paterberg, but I think in the end that actually worked to his advantage in the sprint. Because if you come through hell not totally destroyed, it often gives you an extra gear in the sprint to the line.

Roodhooft warned before the start of the season Mathieu was gonna race smarter this season. They kinda got a wake up call with the back injury. A career isn't forever. Racing attractively is what made Mathieu great but he did let some opportunities slip that way.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Pogi's accelerations and riding on the climbs in the last 50km or so were some of the most insane things I ever saw in cycling. This kid...

But MvdP is a deserving winner.

yup any questions I had about Pogi's explosivity compared to VDP or other specialists have gone straight to the trash can.

Seems this kid really got it all. Apart from sprinting tactics today

 

[Extinction]

Roodhooft warned before the start of the season Mathieu was gonna race smarter this season. They kinda got a wake up call with the back injury. A career isn't forever. Racing attractively is what made Mathieu great but he did let some opportunities slip that way.

True , but today he didn't have any other choice. It wasn't as if he could have attacked Tadej from the second Ouede Kwaremonte to the finish. He rode "smart" in the sense that he was able to follow and, above all, not get dropped on the last Paterberg . Then he managed to pull off the win. Let's see when he can make the race in the future if he can manage himself just as well (better than sometimes in the past). That will be the real test.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

True , but today he didn't have any other choice. It wasn't as if he could have attacked Tadej from the second Ouede Kwaremonte to the finish. He rode "smart" in the sense that he was able to follow and, above all, not get dropped on the last Paterberg . Then he managed to pull off the win. Let's see when he can make the race in the future if he can manage himself better. That will be the real test.

I mean, Pogacar didn't give him any choice as you put it. He went bottom to top each climb maximum effort.

But I already saw in MSR Mathieu was riding smarter. And in Dwars as well (apart from one small acceleration at 90km).

 

[johnymax]

yup any questions I had about Pogi's explosivity compared to VDP or other specialists have gone straight to the trash can.

Seems this kid really got it all. Apart from sprinting tactics today

He is still less explosive than VDP and Alaphilippe and maybe a peak Hirschi. I also think Roglič can beat him in an uphill sprint on top of climbs like the Mur de Huy (we'll see soon). But the combinations of all the skills he has, it's what makes him the perfect cyclist.

 

[Netserk]

MvdP did an "attack" over the top of Koppenberg. Pogi led on the steepest part, but Van der Poel pulled the trio clear.

 

[Extinction]

I mean, Pogacar didn't give him any choice as you put it. He went bottom to top each climb maximum effort.

But I already saw in MSR Mathieu was riding smarter. And in Dwars as well (apart from one small acceleration at 90km).

Agreed, but he's riding smarter because of the humility gained from the injury. He even said this in so many words in a recent interview. MSR was a test of form. He just had to focus on keeping up and, without making the race, saw he was good enough to be there or thereabouts in the end. Even today he didn't have to make the race, but just not get dropped by Tadej, and this time he won. Let's see when he is able to lay down the law again if he keeps racing this intelligently.

PS. I mean if he doesn't force the pace more than he needs to or should, as he has been guilty of in the past. But, again, that wasn't the issue so far, as he could only focus on keeping up with Tadej (as on the Poggio).

 

[jaylew]

I'm already salivating at the prospect of Mathieu, Wout, Pog, and Ala going at it next year. We'll probably never see it but can you imagine those 4 going clear on one of the final climbs and fighting it out? Minus a hidden moto, of course.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

He is still less explosive than VDP and Alaphilippe and maybe a peak Hirschi. I also think Roglič can beat him in an uphill sprint on top of climbs like the Mur de Huy (we'll see soon). But the combinations of all the skills he has, it's what makes him the perfect cyclist.

then again, that's probably why he went at the bottom of each climb. Make it a long effort so there's no top end explosivity to it. If he waits until 2/3rd of the Kwaremont for VDP to go he's probably shooting himself in the foot

 

[RunningRouleur]

I think the fact that Pogi and MVDP weren't pulling full gas the final 10k helped MVDP have a more explosive sprint. I looked at van der Poel's power data for that segment, and also noticed the gap was dropping precipitously to Madouas and van Baarle (even before the trackstand last 1k which was still close to 35km/hr lmao pros are insane) who shouldn't have had the legs to pull back these two legends. Pogi should've either attacked on the flat or kept pulling at 420w+ to tire out MVDP a little more. I don't think it would've changed the victor in the end, and hindsight is 20/20 but it might've given him a better shot, and guaranteed 2nd place at worst.

 

[CyclistAbi]

Congratulations to Mathieu van der Poel for taking the win. And Pogi for panache.

It was a nice Sunday race to watch and i enjoyed it. Pogi had one job to do and that is to resolve the race before the sprint. He did a beautiful job in that regards. He didn't win the race but when you race like that you earn fans. Regardless if you win or not.

On what might went wrong for Pogi. First thing is van Aert was missing and the whole race had no structure. The peloton looked like a bunch of amateurs. That likely lead to Pogi needing to fire a bullet or two too soon. After that he basically become superdom for van der Poel. And van der Poel for sure did let him know that at the finish of the race. Here another small mistake was made by Pogi. He should just need to push on the pedals a bit more. Not necessarily to overpass van der Poel. Just to push him so much that they wouldn't be caught. As in the end and after such race it's ridiculous he finished fourth. And final small mistake he made is he should first go and congratulate to van der Poel and after to steam off in the bus. UAE has a lot of money and repairing a cabinet or two is a non issue.

P.S. You know the race was special when you realize that you only been able to see a man wearing a shirt saying "climate justice now" in slow motion repeat of the finale. And there was one man with a cardboard stop Putin. Fans were great the only remark i would make is that one running with the flag. That was a bit over the top.

 

[Nick2413]

I think the fact that Pogi and MVDP weren't pulling full gas the final 10k helped MVDP have a more explosive sprint. I looked at van der Poel's power data for that segment, and also noticed the gap was dropping precipitously to Madouas and van Baarle (even before the trackstand last 1k which was still close to 35km/hr lmao pros are insane) who shouldn't have had the legs to pull back these two legends. Pogi should've either attacked on the flat or kept pulling at 420w+ to tire out MVDP a little more. I don't think it would've changed the victor in the end, and hindsight is 20/20 but it might've given him a better shot, and guaranteed 2nd place at worst.

This is the same conclusion I came to. Giving MVdP time to recover wipes out the whole benefit of starting the sprint behind him. The aerial shot shows he had no chance regardless of whether he got boxed in or not, but I respect the discipline of waiting so long. Maybe he could have jutted off to the side and caught him off guard but his best option was probably to keep the pace high and try to have a grindier sprint.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Anybody knows if you start a sprint with Mathieu at low speed you're just giving him bike lengths ahead.

 

[Extinction]

This is the same conclusion I came to. Giving MVdP time to recover wipes out the whole benefit of starting the sprint behind him. The aerial shot shows he had no chance regardless of whether he got boxed in or not, but I respect the discipline of waiting so long. Maybe he could have jutted off to the side and caught him off guard but his best option was probably to keep the pace high and try to have a grindier sprint.

Tadej should never have left MVDP dictate how the sprint was going to open up, from practically a standstill in addition. This completely favored into MVDP's one-day race explosivity and top end power. The only shot Pogacar had against MVDP (and given the strength he showed during the race, not an impossibility - difficult, yes, impossible, no) was to have pushed on to start the sprint at rolling speed, which, as you say, would have led to a grinder. And this would have at least played into Tadej's massive depth in resistance. My two cents. At any rate, he shows that he can win RVV in the future.

 

[TourOfSardinia]

Tadej ... At any rate, he shows that he can win RVV in the future.

As MVdP put it here :
"He was maybe strongest in the race, and he rode offensively. I would've applauded him if he had won or finished on the podium. Maybe he (Rog) just needs to sprint here a few more times to get it right."