Il Lombardia 2024, one day monument, October 12, farewell to Domenico Pozzovivo

[KZD]

The shock will be if Pogačar doesn't win frankly. The route is actually easier than usual, there is no Civiglio which is the climb where the decisive attack is often made when the race finishes in Como, Sormano even without the Muro should be hard enough for Pogačar to drop everyone after being leadout by UAE and secure an advantage big enough to give him the win.

It also helps that most of his big rivals are not here, Roglič has been one of the best at this race in recent years, Bagioli was second last year and Pidcock was good in Emilia and was one of the biggest podium contenders. Even Remco doesn't look good lately so I don't think he will do more than fighting for second place.

I think Mas could be the second strongest rider in this race but he will need to drop the likes of Remco, Healy and Jorgenson if he wants to finish on the podium. Lipowitz is also an interesting dark horse, I wouldn't be surprised if he finishes on the podium after his showing in Emilia.

 

[Wyndbrook]

No sympathy for Pidcock. Ineos aint getting their worth with all the focus on everything else than road racing

Well they certainly are not 'getting their worth' from him today.

 

[danielovichdk2]

Sorry a boring outcome. Pidcock number 2 i think.

 

[Brullnux]

No sympathy for Pidcock. Ineos aint getting their worth with all the focus on everything else than road racing

I don't think this means deselecting him makes any sense, given he was a very likely podium and Ineos have had a pretty dire year. Besides, in an Olympic year, Pidcock has still provided more attention to the team with his MTB gold than any of their road results (which he also has the best of, given his Amstel win). Pidcock is clearly a nightmare to work with, but this is silly and petty and exemplifies the obvious management/cultural issues at Ineos atm.

 

[RedheadDane]

Sorry a boring outcome. Pidcock number 2 i think.

Definitely not. As discussed above.

 

[Unterlenkerfahrend]

No sympathy for Pidcock. Ineos aint getting their worth with all the focus on everything else than road racing

Lol it's not like the rest of their team is delivering day in day out.
He's the only one in the last few years to consistently put up bigger wins (Strade, Amstel, Tour stage, Brabantse). I'm not saying he's worth his salary but it's hard to blame him on also focusing on different stuff when the guys on the team that focus solely on road are putting up even worse results.

 

[Heston]

OTOH a break with a 5 minute advantage could make it interesting

Nothing can make this interesting. You are deluding yourself if you think there is even a 1 % chance of someone else winning.

 

[RedheadDane]

Brian Holm is a genius!
How to beat Pogacar? Attack before he does.

They're gonna attack on the way to sign-in.











Which will probably still be too late, as Pogacar likely attacked on his way to breakfast.

 

[Axel Hangleck]

No sympathy for Pidcock. Ineos aint getting their worth with all the focus on everything else than road racing

They knew when they signed him he was a multi discipline rider - and paid him accordingly. Why shouldn't he get paid big money? World Tour road wins, World Cups off-road, World championships off-road, and 2 Olympic MTB titles.
People need to take their road tinted glasses off, and think off-road riders should be paid peanuts.

 

[Samu Cuenca]

Brian Holm is a genius!
How to beat Pogacar? Attack before he does.

Because that worked out great for Remco in Emilia.

 

[RedheadDane]

Because that worked out great for Remco in Emilia.

Maybe it should be:

1. Attack before Pogacar.
2. Don't get stuff in your eyes.

 

[danielovichdk2]

Definitely not. As discussed above.

Amazing. I was sure he was racing. Thx

 

[QueenStagiaire]

Example of brilliant road security with all the cars stuck on one side of this road.

 

[RedheadDane]

Amazing. I was sure he was racing. Thx

TBF, I think a lot of people were sure he'd be racing. Just looked kind of funny right after a post discussing how he won't be racing.

 

[ashhutch1997]

Example of brilliant road security with all the cars stuck on one side of this road.

Thought I was watching the Tour of Britain with all those parked cars.

 

[Red Rick]

So a podium favorite deselected and race made even longer due to course changes.

If I speak

 

[ashhutch1997]

Ineos getting into early morning breaks for TV time lol

 

[Samamba]

We got a fight for the break like it's some GT stage

 

[ashhutch1997]

So a podium favorite deselected and race made even longer due to course changes.

If I speak

Don't forget they are doing the easy side of Sormano and Ghisallo, and there's no Civiglio lol

 

[Samamba]

This long fight for the break makes this race already significantly harder. No easy riding on the first climb

 

[tobydawq]

Pellizzari getting dropped...

 

[tobydawq]

So a podium favorite deselected and race made even longer due to course changes.

If I speak

Could you please stop with this shtick?

 

[Red Rick]

Could you please stop with this shtick?

I could.

But I shall not be silenced

Brave men need to speak up, and say what is right.

 

[tobydawq]

I could.

But I shall not be silenced

Brave men need to speak up, and say what is right.

Then speak instead of implying what would happen if you do.

 

[Samamba]

Road blocked, it's done

EDIT: or maybe not