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

[Cycling111]

Remco would've won the Giro, no matter the year: 2020, 2024, etc.

He's been in two and hasn't won either. Winning a Grand Tour like the Giro is undervalued; the Tour is more difficult, but the Giro doesn't depend solely on rivals, but also on illnesses caused by the Giro's climate (Remco knows this) and other factors.
Just ask Carapaz; before the 2022 Giro, nobody considered Hindley a better favorite than him.

Anyway, it seems Vingegaard will be there. I don't see him having any other chance against Vingegaard.

Giro is a rather strange Grand Tour with peculiar winners like Hesjedal, or even Hindley, who wasn't as much of a favorite as Carapaz.
Indeed, did anyone think Simon Yates would win another Grand Tour seven years after the Vuelta?
This year he wasn't even among the top 5 in the betting odds.
Aside from Pogacar and Vingegaard, the Giro can be quite unpredictable and full of surprises. Given recent winners like Hindley and Simon Yates, I wouldn't be so sure Remco would cruise through Italy without Vingegaard. For me Remco would be the favorite without Vingegaard, but I wouldn't consider it a surprise if he didn't win, just as I would consider it a surprise if Vingegaard didn't win without Pogacar.

Given the profile of some of the winners, I wouldn't rule out Lipowitz winning the 2026 Giro d'Italia if BORA ultimately sends him as their leader. He finished third in the Tour de France, but he's not a frequent winner, like Hindley or Simon, who hadn't won a lot races in recent years. I don't remember if Hindley has won more than 3 races since the Giro.

 

[CyclistAbi]

We don't even know the course yet of the Giro, but he'll ride the TDF

Well, that is good i guess. All three somewhat naturally gravitating towards Tour 2026. Now i guess best to start focusing on the rest of the team.

 

[Berniece]

Well, that is good i guess. All three somewhat naturally gravitating towards Tour 2026. Now i guess best to start focusing on the rest of the team.

Giro: Pellizari, Hindley
TDF: Evenepoel, Lipo, Roglic
Vuelta: Roglic

 

[CyclistAbi]

@Berniece

Lets go one day at a time. Next challenge likely will be as one can't have such a big drop in climbing performance after those three names. So at least one more stellar climber will need to undertake the Tour. Eventually some potential names will start circulating and lets go on from there.

 

[Berniece]

@Berniece

Lets go one day at a time. Next challenge likely will be as one can't have such a big drop in climbing performance after those three names. So at least one more stellar climber will need to undertake the Tour. Eventually some potential names will start circulating and lets go on from there.

Other climbers are helpers

 

[vappaxbipmv]

I am not buying that at all. That si RBH as a team is (was) rather weak performing in terms of comparison to a team such as UAE. That puts their leader in a hard spot. But now they have half of the team capable of podium at the Tour, no need to cry about it any more. It seems that self sabotage or possibly ego is the only thing preventing them now on taking on Pogi and Jonas directly at the Tour. If they sort that one out i don't see on why in the 2026 season articles would still mock their chances and they would be lead proponents in B type polls on this forum. Not just the Tour, they need to stick it to UAE early in the season, to show them on how it's done a goal of 100 wins per season and counting, UAE failed at that goal this season.

I think you are exaggerating how much hurt RBH riders can put on Pogacar. Even if there was a double Jonas I'm not sure he could beat Pogi. Last year, when Lipowitz attacked in stage 10, Pogacar used that acceleration to actually attack and everyone (except Jonas) was immediately far far away, Lipowitz's attack looked like in slow motion compared to that. They have to be actually close in strength to present a threat, so far they aren't. And btw, while Pogacar as an individual might allow Lipowitz in the break, Vauquelin, Onley, Visma, UAE, certainly won't, just to name a few

Forget 100, maybe a realistic goal of 40 and 15 WT wins should be better

 

[Krzysztof_O]

Giro: Pellizari, Hindley
TDF: Evenepoel, Lipo, Roglic
Vuelta: Roglic

Do you think all the biggest GT guys will go to the Tour? Maybe it's better to have at least one of them in each GT. I'm not sure Pellizari & Hindley have enough quality (now) to win the Giro. For example Rogla to Giro+Vuelta while Hindley to Vuelta instead.

 

[Berniece]

Do you think all the biggest GT guys will go to the Tour? Maybe it's better to have at least one of them in each GT. I'm not sure Pellizari & Hindley have enough quality (now) to win the Giro. For example Rogla to Giro+Vuelta while Hindley to Vuelta instead.

Roglic doesn’t ride the tour for GC but stages and to help.

Roglic wants to ride the TDF

 

[Krzysztof_O]

Roglic doesn’t ride the tour for GC but stages and to help

Rogla's help for Lipo during this year's TdF was kinda "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger".
Lipo got stronger afterwards but who knows how Remco reacts.

 

[vappaxbipmv]

Rogla's help for Lipo during this year's TdF was kinda "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger".
Lipo got stronger afterwards but who knows how Remco reacts.

Lipowitz said in a recent interview that Roglic had no obligation to help Lipowitz and he never asked for it, it was quite literally a free role

 

[Krzysztof_O]

Lipowitz said in a recent interview that Roglic had no obligation to help Lipowitz and he never asked for it, it was quite literally a free role

Nothing will be different next year if Rogla goes to the Tour, contrary to what @Berniece hopes.

 

[CyclistAbi]

Other climbers are helpers

I mean helpers. If they are nowhere near the front of the peloton after two thirds of a stage, consistently, then that isn't exactly helping. Better hence to risk it with another potential podium contender, or two.

I think you are exaggerating how much hurt RBH riders can put on Pogacar. Even if there was a double Jonas I'm not sure he could beat Pogi. Last year, when Lipowitz attacked in stage 10, Pogacar used that acceleration to actually attack and everyone (except Jonas) was immediately far far away, Lipowitz's attack looked like in slow motion compared to that. They have to be actually close in strength to present a threat, so far they aren't. And btw, while Pogacar as an individual might allow Lipowitz in the break, Vauquelin, Onley, Visma, UAE, certainly won't, just to name a few

Forget 100, maybe a realistic goal of 40 and 15 WT wins should be better

So you basically are agreeing with me that individual leader strategy for RBH is rather baseless as the outcome is likely known upfront. As for more genuine podium contenders being able to crack Pogi, working together and using some smart tactics to push Pogi out of his comfort zone, here i feel that of course it is possible. As for the wins, the beauty of it is most of it RBH will take from UAE and Visma so what more can you ask for.

Do you think all the biggest GT guys will go to the Tour? Maybe it's better to have at least one of them in each GT. I'm not sure Pellizari & Hindley have enough quality (now) to win the Giro. For example Rogla to Giro+Vuelta while Hindley to Vuelta instead.

They should if they aim to win it and even if they don't want to go i can't grasp on how either of them could dodge it.

Nothing will be different next year if Rogla goes to the Tour, contrary to what @Berniece hopes.

I mean all of them being there in great shape, that increases their chances to win it, forget about the other feasible options as it won't work.

 

[red_flanders]

Do you think all the biggest GT guys will go to the Tour? Maybe it's better to have at least one of them in each GT. I'm not sure Pellizari & Hindley have enough quality (now) to win the Giro. For example Rogla to Giro+Vuelta while Hindley to Vuelta instead.

I don't think it's the most likely scenario, but seems possible. Roglic to Giro and Vuelta with Evenepoel/Lipo seems likely to me.

 

[red_flanders]

I think you are exaggerating how much hurt RBH riders can put on Pogacar. Even if there was a double Jonas I'm not sure he could beat Pogi. Last year, when Lipowitz attacked in stage 10, Pogacar used that acceleration to actually attack and everyone (except Jonas) was immediately far far away, Lipowitz's attack looked like in slow motion compared to that. They have to be actually close in strength to present a threat, so far they aren't. And btw, while Pogacar as an individual might allow Lipowitz in the break, Vauquelin, Onley, Visma, UAE, certainly won't, just to name a few

Forget 100, maybe a realistic goal of 40 and 15 WT wins should be better

Of course. The only way having a multi-pronged attack helps is if a team attacks and makes Pogi follow repeatedly. Pretty hard to do on a 15 k col with UAE maxing everyone out at the front a la Postal/Sky.

The strongest rider generally wins the Tour. Almost always. By design.

RBH taking more than 1 top contender to any GT is a backup plan more than anything. Could cause some disruption on hilly stages, that would be interesting. But it all boils down to the big cols.

 

[Berniece]

Nothing will be different next year if Rogla goes to the Tour, contrary to what @Berniece hopes.

I think next year is different because the goal is different. If he feels Vuelta is his biggest goal and he wants to go further in his role as a mentor I wouldn’t be surprised he is fine with sometimes having a free role and going for a stage and other times fetching water bottles. It’s not like he has to set a high pace, Visma/UAE is already doing that.

 

[CyclistAbi]

@Berniece

It seems that your main worry is on who will fetch bottles.

@red_flanders

It was done to Pogi already successfully, on where your suggestion, on how a team like RBH should go with a single leader to the Tour. Even Visma stood no chance with such strategy in the 2025 season. Furthermore the idea that riders such as Rogla, Remco and Lipo can't apply systematic pressure and force Pogi out of his comfort zone through and through the stage(s), they can. For sure they can apply higher pressure then each of them individually ever could and on top of that they can crack UAE as a team if they choose so, individually such options are much more limited.

All in all Rogla and Lipo already expressed open attitude and desire to undertake Tour 2026. I am sure that Remco will announce that soon-ish too. The rest of the team needs to be solid, especially the climbing section, over there hence some work is still left to do.

 

[Krzysztof_O]

@red_flanders

It was done to Pogi already successfully

Only because Vingegaard was actually stronger than Pogi in the Tour 2022 anyway. UAE and Visma will be killing climbs during mountain stages and it will be about survival for the rest. Sure, in some early stage one of BORA stars can attack from a long range: it will cause chaos but likely be a suicide attack.

 

[SHAD0W93]

@Berniece

It seems that your main worry is on who will fetch bottles.

@red_flanders

It was done to Pogi already successfully, on where your suggestion, on how a team like RBH should go with a single leader to the Tour. Even Visma stood no chance with such strategy in the 2025 season. Furthermore the idea that riders such as Rogla, Remco and Lipo can't apply systematic pressure and force Pogi out of his comfort zone through and through the stage(s), they can. For sure they can apply higher pressure then each of them individually ever could and on top of that they can crack UAE as a team if they choose so, individually such options are much more limited.

All in all Rogla and Lipo already expressed open attitude and desire to undertake Tour 2026. I am sure that Remco will announce that soon-ish too. The rest of the team needs to be solid, especially the climbing section, over there hence some work is still left to do.

Who will go back to the team car, protect the other on flat stages, drop back and pull, etc. There are many issues you’re glossing over which is ironic since someone is very vocally not a fan of Roglic sharing leadership.

Pogacar got worked over by a super team and two riders close or better than him on a specific day. At this time all Visma or UAE have to do is up the pace to set up an attack and all of Bora’s helpers will be gone. The two teams literally have no care about anyone else because no one can match Pogacar or Vingegaard. Even a 30 minute lead from a breakaway might not be safe.

 

[red_flanders]

@red_flanders

It was done to Pogi already successfully

Sure. Once, when he was less dominant.

on where your suggestion, on how a team like RBH should go with a single leader to the Tour.

I guess a language thing but this is a confusing sentence. I didn't suggest RBH go with a single leader, certainly not to the Tour. I said that having more than one leader is more a backup plan (Lipo there if Remco falters, etc.) than a plan to attack UAE repeatedly, but the latter could also come into play. As I mentioned, hilly stages might be a place for this. Maybe if you quoted what you're replying to, your comments might better incorporate what the other person said.

Even Visma stood no chance with such strategy in the 2025 season.

Correct. But they lost because Pog was so much stronger than Vingo, and no other reason.

Furthermore the idea that riders such as Rogla, Remco and Lipo can't apply systematic pressure and force Pogi out of his comfort zone through and through the stage(s), they can. For sure they can apply higher pressure then each of them individually ever could and on top of that they can crack UAE as a team if they choose so, individually such options are much more limited.

They can try. I'm skeptical it will make much difference with Pogi at the level he's at now. "Crack UAE as a team"? Not going to happen. Attack Pogi in certain tactical situations? They absolutely should try...as I said.

All in all Rogla and Lipo already expressed open attitude and desire to undertake Tour 2026. I am sure that Remco will announce that soon-ish too. The rest of the team needs to be solid, especially the climbing section, over there hence some work is still left to do.

Of course, everyone wants to go to the Tour. No decisions have been made publicly. Of course in addition to the top leaders, they need a couple more good climbers and a few good rouleurs. I'd be surprised if they brought 3 leaders to the Tour, but it's not impossible...as I said.

 

[Berniece]

@Berniece

It seems that your main worry is on who will fetch bottles.

I’m just saying what is most logical based on the latest interview Roglic gave