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

[bNator]

Vingo looked dead against Pogacar this time last year and even against Gaudu. Chill out people

I still think the most likely outcome of this is feeling a bit ridiculous after he shows up in form in Itzulia. This is the comeback kid of cycling we’re talking about after all. However, given his history of smashing it especially in the early part of the season, of course it’s difficult to pretend this is just business as usual. Church of Roglic will probably silently expect to be pleasantly surprised by his performance in the upcoming future, but there’s going to be doubts until he turns this around, there’s no way around that…

 

[how yes no?]

Some things just can't be true.
The same rider that stomped Pogačar hard in Emilia in September, does not suddenly get too old and lose all capabilities till March.
Even if the general physical level would plummet, the stomp would not be inverted, just muffled, but he had none to show so far (except for the TTT finish).
The fact that he gained a few meter of a gap and held it out longer than McNulty could sustain it, when the latter was obviously not thrash on the day, or the fact that he caught up to Remco on stage 2 or that he stomped the end of the TTT (also dropping his teammates up the climb in the first half) must imply that he must have some capabilities and he (not so) simply decided to keep dry whatever he has left of the powder.
Yes, he said he was ill quite a lot over the winter and yes, he did say he was not going all in for the win in the races pre-tour this year, and yes, he has quite a crazy psyche where he can really focus on some thing while blurring the rest... and yes, there were no proper chances to do major changes in the GC unless he'd be on Tadej or Jonas level... but with this level that he generally displayed, he certainly has me fooled on the rational level, even if on some other level I'm a believer.

 

[how yes no?]

Found a batch of a solid copium in the corner...
Up to the TTT he was ready to win the usual way and we didn't have any really significant signs of him not having it.
After the TTT, the only way to still win the GC was with major differences, not with a stomp here or there, so he waited for such chances.
Today he knew the climb is too short to make enough of the difference to make it worth soloing to the finish, he attacked and probably hoped somebody with shared interest would join him but when that didn't really happen, he then decided today was not the day and didn't really try anything, neither was he ready to tire himself with giving his all on pulls, because he was only interested in one thing GC wise - major gains on most of others, and that was no possible anymore. But maybe the fact why nobody joined him, except for the 2 guys trying to save their top GC spots (not cooperating with him to make time on others) indicates, that the initial attack was maybe too brutal for anyone else with GC hopes, to dare and join him.
We will see if any such chance will possibly present itself in the coming days... knowing Rogla, if he indeed has any form, I count on him giving us at least one stomp if no GC opportunities arise... he cares about our mental health a bit too.

 

[CyclistAbi]

In this race and so far there was never really enough reduction of the peloton involved for having a realistic chance, to win a stage. So although stage 4 and 6 would normally suit Rogla, strong breakaway both times went much against it. Today, for example, it was in my opinion more of a test, then the real ambition to go all the way to the finish line. Nevertheless it was an attack, first one in the race and first one riding for Bora, hence Rogla is starting to apply some pressure. I am cautiously optimistic about remaining two stages. Although competently different, both stages still offer opportunities that bode well with Rogličes abilities, to turn them into his advantage.

Go Rogla!

 

[Rob5091]

Interesting that Roglic will do La Flèche Wallonne and Liège-Bastogne-Liège. Remco & Pogacar down for L-B-L too at the moment so it could be fun.

 

[Rackham]

I think this is the first time since I became a fan of his that I really wonder about his form. He has not had any crashes as far as the public knows. That leaves us with three possibilities. He said he was sick during the winter quite a few time (let us say at least two time) so that can disrupt one's preparation. The next possibility is that he did not work much on his top end in terms of power (but even then, he seamed to struggle a bit today after getting caught and that should have been a pretty sustainable pace for him) and he is waiting to do that in time for the TdF. Last, maybe whatever he did is not working and he just cannot produce the needed power.
In any case, he seems to be a little lackluster and I hope he can improve and show us some form before the TdF.

Paris-Nice 2022 was far more concerning. Getting dropped by Simon Yates early 2022 after his performances late 2021 was bad for morale (i.e. when he had a run of smashing wins from the Olympics, through the Vuelta & a couple of Italian semi classics). At the time we didn't know about his knee problem (& Itzulia was even worse). He then improved a lot in the Dauphiné.

Who knows. It's easy to speculate. For example his physiotherapist once said he raced too much in 2021 & paid for it in 2022. So he could be over trained, or anything in between.

I still the think the parcours here in Paris-Nice tells us nothing about Rog's form though. It's like judging him based on one day races or the WC road races (or the Olympics road race in which he was was terribad a few days before smashing the ITT). He looked cooked in Lombardia last October as well for what it's worth.

There's also some 'narrative' stuff flying around which I'll always debunk as much as I can be bothered to, i.e. one of those narratives is "Rog is on form all year". Not true. He's actually an inconsistent rider with very high peaks & some bad days which he does well to mask with a good poker face (& usually a good team which can hide his weaknesses). He's not a superman. He never has been. That's what gives him his charm as a rider though (i.e. we often don't know which Rog is going to show up, aka Monte Lusari Rog or Monte Bondone Rog). The difference between supersonic Rog versus 'okayish middling Rog who might get dropped' isn't always explicable by injuries either. It's just the way he is.

 

[Netserk]

If he's sacrificed some explosiveness to get stronger in longer climbs, his race programme makes no sense?

Why focus the spring calendar on Paris Nice and Basque country? These are the most hilly and explosive WT stage races.

I saw Roglic complaining about the cold weather here in this Paris Nice. His fans say he is much better in heat. Well, paris nice and Basque Tour are cool, wet or windy races, the worst of the spring.

He said he is here in Paris Nice to get used to teammates, the team, equipment. If he want to get used to equipment and teammates, he could have gone to Algarve or UAE tour. In Uae it would be nice and warm with a time trial, in Algarve low stress with a long time trial. These would be an ideal races to get used to the team. There is not TTT in le tour, there is no reason to come to Paris Nice for that.

After UAE or Algarve he could then go to altitude to prepare Cataluña, Liege and Romandie. These races suit much better the guys who are strong in the long climbs, would be better opportunities to test the legs. Catalunya is warmer as well, a nice option.

Even Tirreno would be better than Paris Nice, because Tirreno has the long climbs and an ITT. He could race with hindley, who will be much more present in the high Mountains of Le tour than Vlasov. He could also do Strade Bianche to practice the gravel, certainly would be better option for the team, than dani Felipe Martinez.

He should at least be the favourite for fleche wallonnie

Paris-Nice is the most prestigious stage race of the early season, and this year it also happens to have the easiest opposition for the top spot. The weather could just as well have been like in 2021 - this is quite bad even for PN.

 

[Rackham]

There's some comments from Marc Lamberts in the press this morning about Rog's form:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1766387079418695992

View: https://twitter.com/IndeLeiderstrui/status/1766387079418695992


He says his values are where he usually is at this time of the season but everything is new to him in the team. And Evenepoel is a bit further ahead. The stages this weekend also don't suit him but Rog won't lose any sleep over it.

 

[EddyMazzoleni]

Today stage last year would have been a certified Roglstomp, so it definitively suits him

 

[Rackham]

Today stage last year would have been a certified Roglstomp, so it definitively suits him

Are you sure? It seems like the gradient on the MTF is too low. Drafting will be important. It also means some riders can breakaway on the climb & take advantage of marking behind because it's not about pure watts.

I guess his chance if there is one is Evenepoel sets a monster tempo Ullrich style to blow everyone off his wheel & he can come around him at the end to take the stage. It's certainly not Rog's style or usual tactic to set the pace himself on this sort of finish.

 

[bNator]

If Rogla is in any type of form, I think it's in his best interest to work with Remco from now on. If they somehow manage to drop other riders, it's far better for Roglic to climb to second (and put more serious doubts to rest) with Remco winning than staying where he is. I expect him to try and jump with Remco and then share the load. If he can, of course...

 

[topcat]

There's some comments from Marc Lamberts in the press this morning about Rog's form:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1766387079418695992

View: https://twitter.com/IndeLeiderstrui/status/1766387079418695992


He says his values are where he usually is at this time of the season but everything is new to him in the team. And Evenepoel is a bit further ahead. The stages this weekend also don't suit him but Rog won't lose any sleep over it.

Like Nibali, he's doing his best numbers ever

 

[DNP-Old]

Like Nibali, he's doing his best numbers ever

Always thought Lamberts and Slongo looked alike

 

[theyoungest]

Vingo looked dead against Pogacar this time last year and even against Gaudu. Chill out people

Vingegaard flew back home due to family circumstances when he was already in France for the race start, and returned just in time. I haven't read such an explanation for Roglic' performance this time. And also, it's Roglic we're talking about here, the guy who is always a contender for the win in one week races. Always. He almost always wins them as well. So far everything he's normally good at (explosive finishes, sprints, being at the right point at the right time) seems to evade him. But... it can all turn around in one day, that's the beauty of cycling.

 

[AmRacer]

If Rogla is in any type of form, I think it's in his best interest to work with Remco from now on. If they somehow manage to drop other riders, it's far better for Roglic to climb to second (and put more serious doubts to rest) with Remco winning than staying where he is. I expect him to try and jump with Remco and then share the load. If he can, of course...

Rogla won't work with Remco. But if Rogla has wheelsucking legs, he will follow Remco.

 

[Froome]

Vingegaard flew back home due to family circumstances when he was already in France for the race start, and returned just in time. I haven't read such an explanation for Roglic' performance this time. And also, it's Roglic we're talking about here, the guy who is always a contender for the win in one week races. Always. He almost always wins them as well. So far everything he's normally good at (explosive finishes, sprints, being at the right point at the right time) seems to evade him. But... it can all turn around in one day, that's the beauty of cycling.

I already talked about that issues, he also had to go more sooner than expected from Teide, but the issues just count for the others, not for Vingegaard.
As if it were normal for him to be worse than gaudu.

 

[bNator]

Finally looking good on his bike again😅 He really had me worried this time…

 

[Red Rick]

Still not sprinting in the drops

 

[Krzysztof_O]

No classical stomps by Primoz anymore. Primoz realizes that's not the way to win the Tour anyway. Racing in July being turned into a featherweight fight by Skeletor means Primoz has to work on long efforts more changing into a skeleton himself.

 

[Rackham]

Vlasov is the new Kuss. Seriously though, that's exactly what Bora would have wanted out of today's stage: either win with Vlasov due to the marking behind, or win the MTF sprint with Rog. Both scenarios were very realistic considering the respective legs of the riders in the favorite's bunch.

Still not sprinting in the drops

No need.

One thing at a time. Like I said days ago people were losing their minds after the Andorra stage in the Vuelta last year. Rog is economical with his efforts.

 

[Red Rick]

Vlasov is the new Kuss. Seriously though, that's exactly what Bora would have wanted out of today's stage: either win with Vlasov due to the marking behind, or win the MTF sprint with Rog. Both scenarios were very realistic considering the respective legs of the riders in the favorite's bunch.



No need.

One thing at a time. Like I said days ago people were losing their minds after the Andorra stage in the Vuelta last year. Rog is economical with his efforts.

Lagunas de Neila is still one of my favorite stomps of all time.

 

[bNator]

One thing at a time. Like I said days ago people were losing their minds after the Andorra stage in the Vuelta last year. Rog is economical with his efforts.

Today, Roglic actually looked like a guy who’s getting prepared for the Tour, doesn’t care that much about the result and has something in reserve. Previous couple of days, he just looked like he didn’t have the legs (which he sort of confirmed in today’s interview).

 

[Rackham]

Lagunas de Neila is still one of my favorite stomps of all time.

The seated sprint + switch off bike computer combo is always the most hilarious combo.

Today, Roglic actually looked like a guy who’s getting prepared for the Tour, doesn’t care that much about the result and has something in reserve. Previous couple of days, he just looked like he didn’t have the legs (which he sort of confirmed in today’s interview).

Yeah & he also said pre-race he doesn't actually "have to win Paris-Nice". Just follow the process.

I want him to Flèche though. It's been on the bucket list for years now & is way overdue.

 

[Krzysztof_O]

The seated sprint + switch off bike computer combo is always the most hilarious combo.



Yeah & he also said pre-race he doesn't actually "have to win Paris-Nice". Just follow the process.

I want him to Flèche though. It's been on the bucket list for years now & is way overdue.

Having a stomp like that and ending up without a FW win wouldn't be appropriate.

 

[Samu Cuenca]

Having a stomp like that and ending up without a FW win wouldn't be appropriate.

Must be why he's decided to get rid of it