European Championship 2025: Men’s RR, October 5

[BubbaChuck]

jonas looking good.its gonna blow up early.

 

[MotorRouleur]

 

[Rob5091]

I think Vingegaard is here as a favour to someone on the National team, or he's geting a hefty "apperance fee", so I'm not expecting anything apart from an early DNF from him.
Likewise with Pogi, I don't get why he's here apart from as a training ride before Lombardia. Even so, should win with probably a couple of surprises on the podium due to end of season legs by the "bigger names."

 

[tobydawq]

Couldn't he? Let me give it a swing:

"I have told all my friends and loved ones to sell all their possessions and put the money (minus the cost for a hotelroom, as they will no longer own a house) all down on me at the bookies. Should they lose, i will refund them out of my own pocket, which i have no intention on doing."

There. As you can see, it is very easy to sound more confident than Remco.

Sports people should talk like this.

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

Sports people should talk like this.

Froome's wife is missed.

 

[Krzysztof_O]

This is the fragment where the damage can be done. If Pogi is in the mood he can yolo attack 77 km from the line on that steep section of Saint-romain-de-Lerps. A more reasonable option is waiting for the last or penultimate Vel d'Enfer to strike deadly there (the climb is difficult enough) but, as we know, Pogi likes stupid attacks that...succeed at the end.

 

[AmRacer]

This is the fragment where the damage can be done. If Pogi is in the mood he can yolo attack 77 km from the line on that steep section of Saint-romain-de-Lerps. A more reasonable option is waiting for the last or penultimate Vel d'Enfer to strike deadly there (the climb is difficult enough) but, as we know, Pogi likes stupid attacks that...succeed at the end.

Jonas will be with him, so I hope they could battle it out. Remco and others battle for third.

 

[No Excuses]

Nothing crazy, just a seated pog attack on one of the last two d'enfer to seal the deal.

 

[Krzysztof_O]

Jonas will be with him, so I hope they could battle it out. Remco and others battle for third.

I doubt Jonas will be that strong. In theory he's the only one who can stay on Pog's wheel on steep, punchy climbs (when in top form). As for Remco, Pogacar attacking 77 km from the line means there will be a lot of flat roads for Remco to close the gap (that's why this attack could be stupid indeed but Pogacar shifts the boundary of what is perceived as "stupid" nowadays).

 

[AmRacer]

I doubt Jonas will be that strong. In theory he's the only one who can stay on Pog's wheel on steep, punchy climbs (when in top form). As for Remco, Pogacar attacking 77 km from the line means there will be a lot of flat roads for Remco to close the gap (that's why this attack could be stupid indeed but Pogacar shifts the boundary of what is perceived as "stupid" nowadays).

If Jonas can follow, Pogi and Jonas work together to keep Remco at distance.

 

[Peyroteo94]

I doubt Jonas will be that strong. In theory he's the only one who can stay on Pog's wheel on steep, punchy climbs (when in top form). As for Remco, Pogacar attacking 77 km from the line means there will be a lot of flat roads for Remco to close the gap (that's why this attack could be stupid indeed but Pogacar shifts the boundary of what is perceived as "stupid" nowadays).

Pogacar can gain 1' easily on Remco just in Saint Romain de Lerps. Another 6-8" on each time they pass the small climb. Is Remco gonna take 1'30" on Pogacar in 45 km of flat roads? No, he won't.

 

[Krzysztof_O]

If Jonas can follow, Pogi and Jonas work together to keep Remco at distance.

That's the point. I don't think Jonas will follow, 3 weeks after a GT double a significant decompression should occur and not enough time to build any kind of form peak.

 

[Krzysztof_O]

Pogacar can gain 1' easily on Remco just in Saint Romain de Lerps. Another 6-8" on each time they pass the small climb. Is Remco gonna take 1'30" on Pogacar in 45 km of flat roads? No, he won't.

I don't think so. The climb isn't that hard and the cumulative climbing by that point isn't that big. I wouldn't expect more than 30 seconds there.

 

[AmRacer]

That's the point. I don't think Jonas will follow, 3 weeks after a GT double a significant decompression should occur and not enough time to build any kind of form peak.

We'll see. Jonas feels motivated for one-day success.

 

[Peyroteo94]

I don't think so. The climb isn't that hard and the cumulative climbing by that point isn't that big. I wouldn't expect more than 30 seconds there.

The climb has a very hard initial section, enough to Pogacar. Then it's a TT until the top. Do you really think Pogacar can't win 9"/km against everyone? Specially on 6% gradients where it's the perfect gradient to create massive gaps.

 

[Krzysztof_O]

The climb has a very hard initial section, enough to Pogacar. Then it's a TT until the top. Do you really think Pogacar can't win 9"/km against everyone? Specially on 6% gradients where it's the perfect gradient to create massive gaps.

Last year on Colma di Sormano (Lombardia, much more difficult climb) Pogacar gained like 50-60 seconds on Evenepoel. The gap exploded later but mostly due to cumulative fatigue (which is less at EC). No, I don't expect more than 30 seconds there.

 

[Peyroteo94]

Last year on Colma di Sormano (Lombardia, much more difficult climb) Pogacar gained like 50-60 seconds on Evenepoel. The gap exploded later but mostly due to cumulative fatigue (which is less at EC). No, I don't expect more than 30 seconds there.

The gap exploded later because Pogacar was cruising on Sormano. I'm sure of that. If Pogacar wanted to go all out, he would 1'45" on Remco just on Sormano.
Or how can you explain Pogacar gained 1'35" - 1'45" on Remco in the valley (Remco's terrain)?.

 

[Krzysztof_O]

The gap exploded later because Pogacar was cruising on Sormano. I'm sure of that. If Pogacar wanted to go all out, he would 1'45" on Remco just on Sormano.

He won't go a bloc here either to save energy for later. But Evenepoel likely won't be as cooked as in Lombardy this time, we will see. The race is easier and Evenepoel is stronger than last year at this time.

 

[Peyroteo94]

He won't go a bloc here either to save energy for later. But Evenepoel likely won't be as cooked as in Lombardy this time, we will see. The race is easier and Evenepoel is stronger than last year at this time.

He will not but this time Remco will not go as hard because he needs legs to catch Pogacar later.

 

[Krzysztof_O]

He will not but this time Remco will not go as hard because he needs legs to catch Pogacar later.

Remco was doing very well recently (and is stronger than last year). In Rwanda his chase was still pretty good (he lost some time to Pogacar but the conditions were difficult to chase: up & down all the time, altitude reducing aero factor, race hardness). On a lower altitude with much more flat terrain and easier race I'm expecting him to be a threat when chasing Pogacar.

 

[Berniece]

He won't go a bloc here either to save energy for later. But Evenepoel likely won't be as cooked as in Lombardy this time, we will see. The race is easier and Evenepoel is stronger than last year at this time.

I’m not even sure Pogacar will drop Evenepoel on that 20min climb. Would be suicide from himself.

 

[Peyroteo94]

Remco was doing very well recently (and is stronger than last year). In Rwanda his chase was still pretty good (he lost some time to Pogacar but the conditions were difficult to chase: up & down all the time, altitude reducing aero factor, race hardness). On a lower altitude with much more flat terrain and easier race I'm expecting him to be a threat when chasing Pogacar.

He never had to chase Pogacar in a 7% climb. He had his team to chase for him during 38 km. He had help from Healy, Hindley, Skejlmose and Pidders (a small mention to the motos, behind Pogacar and in front of group 2). The gap between them was bigger than we think IMO.
The only thing I fear for tomorrow is the wind, this can be a great ally of Remco.

 

[KZD]

After what happened last weekend Pogačar should win this, even though Remco is in a pretty good shape and might only be dropped on the last climb of Val d'Enfer. One way or the other I am expecting Pogačar to win solo unless Vingegaard is anything close to his Tour shape which I don't think he is.

Skjelmose to get the bronze medal that he missed last weekend.

 

[AmRacer]

I’m not even sure Pogacar will drop Evenepoel on that 20min climb. Would be suicide from himself.

Jonas will be at Pogi's wheel, so they work together.

 

[Krzysztof_O]

I’m not even sure Pogacar will drop Evenepoel on that 20min climb. Would be suicide from himself.

If he wants he can drop anyone on such a climb (except Vingegaard on some days), Evenepoel with Ardennes weight wouldn't be a problem. The main point is if he's willing to do it and if it makes sense in this race (due to Evenepoel's chasing strength).