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

[Rackham]

Roglic: "I didn't feel good until the end of the climb."

If it was the reverse (i.e. feel better at the start & then bad at the end), I might start to get worried. Aka throwing in a Hail Mary fail attack, get caught, then drop.

Honestly, this Vuelta is still long and if this doesn't work & he can't catch Evenepoel, it'll be because of that horrific first week. Not his form on Sierra Nevada.

I've never seen Roglič launch it 10, 15 or 20km from the finish on a MTF (especially one with such low gradients), so today wasn't at all surprising.

 

[acm]

Roglic: "I didn't feel good until the end of the climb."

Ahahaha what a guy

 

[Bonimenier]

Roglic: "I didn't feel good until the end of the climb."

Nice way of saying he was a coward today.

 

[noob]

Obviously Rogla had studied UAE Sheldon Cooper pacing style and his clock didn't allow him to attack until the end of the climb Also obviously it was time to pee so he had to do it.

On a serious note; that peeing must've cost him the energy he needed to attack Remco earlier.

But then again a roglstomp is generally not a very long thing.

 

[Rackham]

Obviously Rogla had studied UAE Sheldon Cooper pacing style and his clock didn't allow him to attack until the end of the climb Also obviously it was time to pee so he had to do it.

On a serious note; that peeing must've cost him the energy he needed to attack Remco earlier.

But then again a roglstomp is generally not a very long thing.

He's taking time off Evenepoel now on the harder stages, unlike Pog for example in the TdF who never once distanced Vingegaard after Granon. This alone should make Evenepoel fans refrain from popping the champagne cork just yet.

And week 3 is hard, no matter what they say. Roglič himself knows this well, i.e. in 2020 everyone said he had it in the bag versus Carapaz after his ITT because the route wasn't supposedly "difficult enough", but he still almost lost it.

Wait & see.

 

[Riek s]

He felt bad because the tempo on the steep section was above his comfort zone yes. He felt better at the end because he was in the wheels for the whole climb saving 20-30W compared to Remco.
Bit of a dissapointment he didn't even try to work with Remco for his 2nd spot.
On the other hand he can also be applauded for saying either i win or you lose mentality.

 

[Red Rick]

He's taking time off Evenepoel now on the harder stages, unlike Pog for example in the TdF who never once distanced Vingegaard after Granon. This alone should make Evenepoel fans refrain from popping the champagne cork just yet.

And week 3 is hard, no matter what they say. Roglič himself knows this well, i.e. in 2020 everyone said he had it in the bag versus Carapaz after his ITT because the route wasn't supposedly "difficult enough", but he still almost lost it.

Wait & see.

After yesterday Evenepoel fans should be very happy with how today went by. He's a huge favorite to win the Vuelta now.

Yes if Roglic grows in form in the 3rd week and has more days like yesterday and Evenepoel has slightly weaker days, it's still possible. But with the weak route of the 3rd week the ball is not in Rogs court anymore.

Arguably if Roglic had been good today he could have gotten seperation with Mas and Lopez on Hazallanas already, but that did not happen.

I struggle to see a Dumoulin 2015 scenario unfold.

Hopefully he can chip away before Navacerrada

 

[Miha81]

This was perfect stage to come into striking distance. But I guess if he was not feeling it what can he do.

It will be hard to shape minute and a half off in the last week unless Remco burns out or Rogla goes thermonuclear.

 

[Rackham]

After yesterday Evenepoel fans should be very happy with how today went by. He's a huge favorite to win the Vuelta now.

Yes if Roglic grows in form in the 3rd week and has more days like yesterday and Evenepoel has slightly weaker days, it's still possible. But with the weak route of the 3rd week the ball is not in Rogs court anymore.

Arguably if Roglic had been good today he could have gotten seperation with Mas and Lopez on Hazallanas already, but that did not happen.

I struggle to see a Dumoulin 2015 scenario unfold.

Hopefully he can chip away before Navacerrada

All valid points. But I think Roglič made a very quick decision to readjust his in race strategy when Evenepoel looked good on the steeper parts at the foot of the final climb & decided to take the 100% certain bunch of seconds he could gain with a finish sprint rather than gamble the entire race right there and then. I think that major 'gamble' where he throws in a no risk no glory patented attack will be stage 20, if it comes down to that.

I also think he's very comfortable in the role of hunter, rather than hunted. Evenepoel fans might be feeling good tonight but Rogla won't stop, he'll try anything whenever, however. It's also true his Jumbo team is freaking dreadful in this Vuelta, except for Harper. Gesink is half the rider he was last year, so it's not like Rog could control this race if he was in red, IMO.

 

[Oldermanish]

Nice way of saying he was a coward today.

Spoken like someone that's either projecting or never been in his position. Lemond won a WC on a day he admitted he thought about quitting several times and never felt good until the last hill and chase to the finish. Best Coward Award Ever!

 

[Oldermanish]

All valid points. But I think Roglič made a very quick decision to readjust his in race strategy when Evenepoel looked good on the steeper parts at the foot of the final climb & decided to take the 100% certain bunch of seconds he could gain with a finish sprint rather than gamble the entire race right there and then. I think that major 'gamble' where he throws in a no risk no glory patented attack will be stage 20, if it comes down to that.

I also think he's very comfortable in the role of hunter, rather than hunted. Evenepoel fans might be feeling good tonight but Rogla won't stop, he'll try anything whenever, however. It's also true his Jumbo team is freaking dreadful in this Vuelta, except for Harper. Gesink is half the rider he was last year, so it's not like Rog could control this race if he was in red, IMO.

So true. No single rider dropped everyone, every day. No rider wins every stage. I'm not sure the impulse to attack was any more of measurement other than he knew what he could do for the next 3km and committed to living or dying by that.

 

[dazaau]

If only he had been able to follow mas - 40 odd seconds would have made this a lot more interesting compared to 15.

It would also be interesting if mas could TT. it's almost impossible to win GTs when you suck at the TT.

 

[CyclistAbi]

I feel that after stage 14, where Roglič gained some serious time. Appetite obviously went up. As for stage 15. I feel that they approached it as they should. Hard pace on penultimate climb and to get Roglič in good position on the hardest section on the ultimate climb. Beyond that they knew they can't help Roglič anymore as a team. This part went nicely and on top of that Roglič did an acceleration. Today that wasn't enough to distance Evenepoel. Mas and López didn't jump in to take a turn.

All in all if Evenepoel wasn't distanced by now and as only easier terrain was up front. Nothing Roglič could do. Moving back and taking 15 seconds at the end of the stage is hence still a good outcome. And over a minute if we take the weekend as a whole.

Tomorrow some much needed rest and after i feel that JV will be able to be of more assistance. Like keeping him up front at the end of stage 16 and to try to get him in good position for stage 17. On where to attack Evenepoel. To get some serious time. Being relentless in mountains and expecting he will crack. Or trying something of a longer range. If the opportunity is there for grabs. As there are not all that much stages left. But as at the end of week 2 Roglič is gaining some serious time. We can be caustically optimistic in regards to week 3. For this trend to continue.

Likely he will need to approach week 3 as a one week stage race. Being good at that.

 

[Rackham]

If only he had been able to follow mas - 40 odd seconds would have made this a lot more interesting compared to 15.

It would also be interesting if mas could TT. it's almost impossible to win GTs when you suck at the TT.

The problem with Mas is he's a terrible breakaway companion. He just doesn't help or pull. This was evident on Saturday when he closed the gap on Rog & then did nothing.

If Roglič had the legs & gone with MAL & Mas yesterday, I'm pretty sure Mas would have just stared at Rogla & sat on his wheel waiting for something to happen. This I feel could have allowed Evenepoel to diesel his way back into the group.

Anyway, an interesting little change in this Vuelta IMO is O'Connor finding his good form from the Dauphiné again. It means AG2R could play a role because they can actually work & pull as a team. This could work against Rog of course (if they start pulling Evenepoel for 'reasons'), but also for him.

 

[CyclistAbi]

Mas indeed is too focused on trying to take some time from Roglič. Compared to exploring the other option. On how to move up. This is hence a dead end. As for on how to approach the next couple of stages. Whatever their tactics will be it will likely need to at some point include an attack from further out. The team hence should always be doing something in this direction. Movistar might force Mas into that at some point. Then Roglič should help a bit. Trying to create opportunities. If it comes to ultimate climbs. Then i guess to test the daily form. Still some patience is desired. That is better to take 20 seconds at top then to lose 30 seconds on a reckless day.

 

[CyclistAbi]

All in all in week 2 Roglič got a taste of it. And he likes it. No reason to believe he won't go in for more.

 

[Extinction]

The problem with Mas is he's a terrible breakaway companion. He just doesn't help or pull. This was evident on Saturday when he closed the gap on Rog & then did nothing.

If Roglič had the legs & gone with MAL & Mas yesterday, I'm pretty sure Mas would have just stared at Rogla & sat on his wheel waiting for something to happen. This I feel could have allowed Evenepoel to diesel his way back into the group.

Anyway, an interesting little change in this Vuelta IMO is O'Connor finding his good form from the Dauphiné again. It means AG2R could play a role because they can actually work & pull as a team. This could work against Rog of course (if they start pulling Evenepoel for 'reasons'), but also for him.

But Mas simply didn't have the legs to contribute, whereas yesterday he clearly had the best of the trio. Sometimes I think folks don't realize how hard climbing mountains actually is. One might look good on the wheel, and we're left wondering why the hell don't you pull through? In reality, more often than not, it's simply because there's nothing more to give and the hanging on is a matter of life or death racing wise

 

[IndianCyclist]

Likely he will need to approach week 3 as a one week stage race. Being good at that.

His one week approach is to go 50 k solo. that would be the death knell in a three week race

 

[CyclistAbi]

His one week approach is to go 50 k solo. that would be the death knell in a three week race

They are all fatigued by now. And a week left to go. I am sure that Rogla has already switched the mode. After getting the taste of it. The procedure is irreversible.

 

[pman]

Stage 17 is where Jumbo need to earn their keep in this race. They need to keep the race together for a reduced group finish. If they can accomplish that, Roglic probably gains at least 10 seconds on Remco, given the latter's lack of finishing sprint and the former's strong final kick. That get's Roglic 10 seconds closer. Stage 19, another chance for Roglic to gain more time. If Primož has the legs I wouldn't be shocked to see him attack towards the top of penultimate climb of the day. Regardless, even 30 seconds here would feel like a win for Roglic. In stage 20, unless Remco is suffering, you have to attack early. Cotos is sort of a soft climb to put much time in someone who is on their game. If I am Roglic, I isolate Remco and then attack on the Morcuera which is steepest towards the top.

Either way, Roglic has 2 mild but 3rd week mountain stages to make up probably about a minute 20. Then a hilly finish to hopefully get another 10-15 seconds.

Of course, how much fun with it be to see Roglic sprinting for time bonus in Madrid to try and win the Vuelta. The sprinters will be gassed by then, the fastest sprinter in the race is out of it and Roglic has a kick. It could come down to that. Now that would be must see TV.

 

[Gratemans]

I just really hope the teams ds's have the balls to get behind Primoz' all or nothing attitude. They already won a boatload of races and the TdF so the sponsors should already be happy. No real need to anxiously defend a podium position.
It's not often a team has that luxury and I hope they realise that.

Chances are still quite small for Primoz to win this, but it'd at least make for some thrilling racing.

 

[CyclistAbi]

In my opinion Remco will find it difficult. That is when he will be put in difficulty. Due to accumulated fatigue. The remaining stages are still hard enough for doing just that. JV will in my opinion look and behave stronger in week 3. Due to the terrain being more suited for the remaining team members. The rest is on Roglič. He rode smart so far and i feel he will profit from doing that. All in all some good racing ahead.

 

[Miha81]

How much of bad luck can this guy take :/

 

[F_Cance]

that's not bad luck

 

[Rackham]

that's not bad luck

Of course it's bad luck.

Jesus.