Teams & Riders Everybody needs a little bit of Roglstomp in their lives

[Berniece]

Lol, why are you so emotional about this. A nation is just a random concept actually with a lot of luck involved. Why do you have to be proud etc. - that's all a load of bull.

Frankly, I doubt Pog will care what Rog does.

What did I wrote that make you think I'm emotional? I'm saying that if you want to be selected for the National team, you should work as a team, and be a part of the team.

 

[Mako]

But why? Don't you think the coaches are smarth enough to discuss with the riders beforehand?

Also, please reread your comments and tell me you're not very emotional about hypothetical scenarios where Roglic is a douche in your eyes.

 

[Jagartrott]

I mean who cares. It's just the Worlds.

OK

 

[Berniece]

But why? Don't you think the coaches are smart enough to discuss with the riders beforehand?

No, not at all.

 

[Blanco]

First of all, that has nothing to do with it. It's about defending your nations colours, and if you don't want to ride as a team, then stay at home.

Secondly, Pogacar needs a hard race to win. Why didn't he win in Quebec? Because it wasn't hard enough. He could use the help of Roglic to make it as hard as possible.

Why are we pretending that we know what tactics and duties will be on Slovenian team?
Maybe Roglic is promised a completely free role.
Maybe he was told that he only needs to mark late attacks deep into the finale of the race, and take advantage if he can.
Maybe he was told that only thing he should do for Pogacar is to lead him into the final sprint.
Or maybe he was told to do anything Pogacar asks.
We just don't know yet...

 

[acm]

Of course we know! He should only be a pure domestique for Pogacar. You know, because Rogla is old, in decline, won't win another GT, always chrashes, can't ride a bike etc...

 

[Berniece]

Why are we pretending that we know what tactics and duties will be on Slovenian team?
Maybe Roglic is promised a completely free role.
Maybe he was told that he only needs to mark late attacks deep into the finale of the race, and take advantage if he can.
Maybe he was told that only thing he should do for Pogacar is to lead him into the final sprint.
Or maybe he was told to do anything Pogacar asks.
We just don't know yet...

I'm not saying that we do. I said if it's expected of him, he should put in the work. When you were that jersey you have an obligation to whatever the goal is of that team.

If I was the coach, I would give Roglic a free role, and only in the last two rounds make him do whatever Pogacar wants him to do.

 

[VayaVayaVaya]

Why are we pretending that we know what tactics and duties will be on Slovenian team?
Maybe Roglic is promised a completely free role.
Maybe he was told that he only needs to mark late attacks deep into the finale of the race, and take advantage if he can.
Maybe he was told that only thing he should do for Pogacar is to lead him into the final sprint.
Or maybe he was told to do anything Pogacar asks.
We just don't know yet...

It’s true we don’t know and he might have negotiated a carve out for himself, however, particularly after his underperformance in the ITT, I agree that he should operate within the Slovenian team context. If he needs to mark Remco, he should mark Remco; if he needs to attack or set a hard tempo to maximize Slovenia’s chances, he should. If his legs miraculously are diamond legs, he should tell the team and see if an opportunity opens up, though. Realistically, the most likely strategic best use for him would be to have him set a hard pace to spring Pogi. However, ideally he doesn’t burn all his matches and stays in the bunch. In the scenario that Pogi doesn’t get separation, Roglic should then sit on from that point and look for an opportunity to escape.

 

[bNator]

Why are some of you guys so invested in making Roglic pull for Pog? The same guys who don't even want Pog to win anyway... It's as if you had some other agenda besides wanting the best possible result for Slovenian team Just to let you all know, you are not really fooling anyone...

But to get on topic - top form Roglic's biggest value is definitely not pulling for Pog. I'm sure he'll do that if he can't do anything better but either trying an attack to draw Pog's competition chasing (or winning for himself if they don't) or the other way around (being backup if Pog's solo fails) is certainly better spent Rog than doing the controlling of the race. That's why Tratnik, Novak and the Belgians are for...

 

[Blanco]

I'm not saying that we do. I said if it's expected of him, he should put in the work. When you were that jersey you have an obligation to whatever the goal is of that team.

If I was the coach, I would give Roglic a free role, and only in the last two rounds make him do whatever Pogacar wants him to do.

If I was the coach I would give Roglic a real free role, unlike you, cause what you're propose is basically that Roglic is Pogacar's last man. There's nothing free about that.
Whole team would be at Pogacar's disposal, except Roglic, whose only duty would be marking dangerous attacks very deep into the race when they ran out of the teammates, and if Pogacar doesn't mark them himself.
He should also be free to attack himself if he wants.

 

[Rackham]

If I was the coach I would give Roglic a real free role, unlike you, cause what you're propose is basically that Roglic is Pogacar's last man. There's nothing free about that.
Whole team would be at Pogacar's disposal, except Roglic, whose only duty would be marking dangerous attacks very deep into the race when they ran out of the teammates, and if Pogacar doesn't mark them himself.
He should also be free to attack himself if he wants.

Rog is almost 35.

Anything other than total freedom with 'license to go for it himself' would be huge disrespect. Pog has 6 other teammates. Rog can do his own thing.

I mean Rog's objective when he starts on Sunday has to be the win. No question. Now whether he can come close to that is another issue altogether (personally I'm very pessimistic about his chances) but he's got to go into backing himself for the win. It's the only way.

 

[cen]

All I will say is this.. they better have a plan and clear rules established before the race, if something uncanny happens during the race and costs Slovenia the #1 spot or a podium the nation will be in uproar.

If WvA and Remco can figure out how to work together, so should these two.

 

[Rackham]

All I will say is this.. they better have a plan and clear rules established before the race, if something uncanny happens during the race and costs Slovenia the #1 spot or a podium the nation will be in uproar.

On that front I'll shrug. Slovenians should really not make demands about anything or expect a result on a silver platter, i.e. they won all 3 GT's this season. It's an insane run for Slovenia in pro cycling since 2019. Pog has plenty of time to become world champ as well.

And I'll never forget how some Slovenians on social media were asking for Rog to step down before the Olympic ITT in Tokyo because he had zero form in the Olympics road race...

 

[Netserk]

The federation is not the country. He has no obligations to it nor to Pogi. His only obligation is that to virtue, so he should be honest when discussing his role with the national coach. If he made it clear that he only goes if he can ride for a result, then that is perfectly fine for him to do if the coach selects him.

Just like Pogi had no obligation to ride the Olympics if he couldn't come to an agreement with the national federation.

 

[Gargamel35]

All I will say is this.. they better have a plan and clear rules established before the race, if something uncanny happens during the race and costs Slovenia the #1 spot or a podium the nation will be in uproar.

If WvA and Remco can figure out how to work together, so should these two.

Nation loves Roglič and doesn't really care about Pog. Sorry to burst your bubble. Pog winning worlds is just another news and forgotten the next day. He's too good to be believable. Rog winning would actually lift the nation beyond limits.

 

[bNator]

On that front I'll shrug. Slovenians should really not make demands about anything or expect a result on a silver platter, i.e. they won all 3 GT's this season. It's an insane run for Slovenia in pro cycling since 2019. Pog has plenty of time to become world champ as well.

And I'll never forget how some Slovenians on social media were asking for Rog to step down before the Olympic ITT in Tokyo because he had zero form in the Olympics road race...

The idea that Pog is still young and has many chances while Roglic is old and therefore should have some kind of preferential treatment is not what I can subscribe to. And it's not neccessary IMO. I think Roglic has a realistic chance of winning WC road race and I think he has a very good chance of at least disrupting the opponents while trying to do so. Free role for Roglic is only natural, especially since it may help Pog way more than any pulling Rog might do for him. That's if we are talking about in-form Roglic being on a good day.

If we're talking about *** Roglic on a bad day (which to be honest, is a fairly likely scenario), I expect he submits himself to Pog and really helps him. I hope he is mature enough to do that as it would look well in his resume to show strength of his character and broadness of his mind. And the other way around, of course...

 

[bNator]

Nation loves Roglič and doesn't really care about Pog. Sorry to burst your bubble. Pog winning worlds is just another news and forgotten the next day. He's too good to be believable. Rog winning would actually lift the nation beyond limits.

You have no basis to claim that. Gargamel35 != Nation
I could argue Pog has now more fans than Roglic in Slovenia. But I won't because it's a childish debate...

 

[Rackham]

The idea that Pog is still young and has many chances while Roglic is old and therefore should have some kind of preferential treatment is not what I can subscribe to. And it's not neccessary IMO. I think Roglic has a realistic chance of winning WC road race and I think he has a very good chance of at least disrupting the opponents while trying to do so. Free role for Roglic is only natural, especially since it may help Pog way more than any pulling Rog might do for him. That's if we are talking about in-form Roglic being on a good day.

If we're talking about *** Roglic on a bad day (which to be honest, is a fairly likely scenario), I expect he submits himself to Pog and really helps him. I hope he is mature enough to do that as it would look well in his resume to show strength of his character and broadness of his mind. And the other way around, of course...

I'm not talking about Rog being given preferential treatment. Hell, I'm not even talking about equal treatment either. I get it. Those 6 other guys will ride for Pog first. Fine.

I'm talking about Rog having a free role until the bitter end, aka until he can no longer win it himself. As for Slovenia, i.e. any Slovenian who is so wound up by the Worlds they're ready to give either Rog (or even Pog) a hard time if neither wins it... needs to go home & reconsider their fandom in the sport. Before Rog & Pog, Slovenia wasn't a factor in pro cycling.

So... they need to enjoy what they've got (which is a hell of a lot more than most other countries) & understand sometimes you can't win it all. That applies to everyone, even Pogačar.

 

[bNator]

I'm not talking about Rog being given preferential treatment. Hell, I'm not even talking about equal treatment either. I get it. Those 6 other guys will ride for Pog first. Fine.

I'm talking about Rog having a free role until the bitter end, aka until he can no longer win it himself. As for Slovenia, i.e. any Slovenian who is so wound up by the Worlds they're ready to give either Rog (or even Pog) a hard time if neither wins it... needs to go home & reconsider their fandom in the sport. Before Rog & Pog, Slovenia wasn't a factor in pro cycling.

So... they need to enjoy what they've got (which is a hell of a lot more than most other countries) & understand sometimes you can't win it all. That applies to everyone, even Pogačar.

I should have made it clearer. I would consider free role to ba a preferential treatment in case it’s not assigned on merit but rather than that - due to age. But like I explained, I consider on-form Roglic to have a free role completely deserved.

As far as equal treatment is concerned - I really don’t think there’s a basis for that. Pog has far better chance of success on a terrain like that as proven numerous times in the past. It would be really weird if Rog had equal treatment.

And lastly, regarding Slovenian fans feeling entitled to results… I couldn’t agree more with you on that one. We are currently getting much more than we “deserve”. Still, no need to give away victories just because we wouldn’t like Rog or Pog to be insulted. And I’m sure they won’t be…

 

[SHAD0W93]

This is a massive overreaction. Did anyone say Pog was humiliated in the Glasgow ITT last year? No.

It's an atypical event.

Posters have been crapping on Pogacar since that TT. Even the last couple days and showing that’s why Pog has a chance to lose Worlds to Evenepoel.


It happens when you’re a star rider, just like it’d happen to Vingegaard or Evenepoel.

 

[CyclistAbi]

So still too much Vuelta fatigue in the legs for a noteworthy result, on the plus side seeing Rogla again in national colors was a true gem. Flats and especially on the ascends is on where the speed was lacking, on the descends Rogla was flying, like in his best ski jumping days. Rogla told Ganna, before the TT start, if you will see me then you know you are doing good. Rogla on the other hand didn't know Ganna is just behind, as the info didn't came from the car, otherwise he would try to push a bit harder, not to get caught. All in all it is what it is, legs got opened up a bit and now onto WC RR, on where the terrain should be more suitable. Rogla decided to stay in Zürich, the rest of the team to join him on Wednesday.

 

[zlev11]

Posters have been crapping on Pogacar since that TT. Even the last couple days and showing that’s why Pog has a chance to lose Worlds to Evenepoel.


It happens when you’re a star rider, just like it’d happen to Vingegaard or Evenepoel.

just because "other posters" are doing it doesn't make it smart/correct/witty/funny etc. it's stupid and shows the person doesn't understand cycling

 

[SHAD0W93]

just because "other posters" are doing it doesn't make it smart/correct/witty/funny etc. it's stupid and shows the person doesn't understand cycling

While what you posted is true, what @Rackham posted is false. The big 4 get crapped on frequently when they don’t perform well, win, or win convincingly.

 

[kingjr]

Roglic will ride quietly until the first big selection then slip away with 3 laps to go right after someone else has been brought back, Pogacar will shut down all the counterattacks behind. Game over.

 

[CyclistAbi]

How would this even work, Rogla in rainbows jersey. Surreal. Well, only one way to find out.