Itzulia Basque Country 2021, Spain, April 5 - April 10

[JosefK]

Actually, a good TT from Pogi--more in line with pre-TDF performances.

 

[Salvarani]

So that crazy Tirreno took too much out of Pogacar too?

Of course it could have.

 

[TourOfSardinia]

Rog in the Bag

 

[Samu Cuenca]

Wouldnt say "bad"? But not as expected, at least.

Can be good for the race though. He will have to attack. Same with Yates.

No, it wasn't that bad, I was just surprised to see the gap being 18 seconds to McNulty. Obviously he can't be smashing everyone all the time.

 

[titan31]

At least we'll get some attacking racing out of Pog and Yates to pull the time back. Could be a fun week

 

[JosefK]

This sets up for an interesting battle in the hills.

 

[saganftw]

interesting how much time pogacar lost on that downhill section, either wind or he overcooked the start

 

[IndianCyclist]

Rogla maintains his PN form inspite of crashing. Pogacar loses his TA form

 

[Lequack]

I think Roglic and Jumbo nailed the wind situation, the latter competitors clearly were going slower. Can't be a coincidence that both Foss and Vingegaard were also very fast.
And Pogacar was up 2 second on Roglic after the first climb, but lost more than 20 second on the flat part. Some of it was probably also just not taking risks as well as thew wind.

Amway, great win for Roglic

 

[kingjr]

The wind was visibly stronger towards the end of the race. Just compare the footage between McNulty and Pogacar over the last 100 m.

 

[Põhja Konn]

Of course it could have.

I guess we'll see more in the coming week. Those early TT's are really good for Roglic regardless, but normally I would expect Pog to be closer to him.

 

[johnymax]

Roglic absolutely killed it on the last little ramp. Would be interesting to know the times.

 

[Fernandez]

Happy for Roglic. The man is an stoic

 

[Krzysztof_O]

As expected, Roglic was in the seat for 3 hours, great ride. The first part of the TT had small gaps but Rogla left a lot of energy for the second part, which was decisive (when he crushed the entire field, except McNulty). Fantastic performance by the American here. Unfortunately Pog didn't have enough for the 2nd part of the TT, which was disappointing. Primoz may have even sealed the race today with closest competitors (Poga, Yates) almost half a minute back. It will be difficult to overcome this gap, I didn't expect such gaps after this stage.

 

[luckyboy]

How can you explain Yates being the same time as Pogacar? The wind only changed in the last 10 minutes?

 

[sir fly]

Rogla possibly more comfortable downhill.

Loved the gearing data at the start ramp.

 

[Skalman]

How can you explain Yates being the same time as Pogacar? The wind only changed in the last 10 minutes?

Just excuses probably, Roglic was clearly in better shape today

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

I think Roglic and Jumbo nailed the wind situation, the latter competitors clearly were going slower. Can't be a coincidence that both Foss and Vingegaard were also very fast.
And Pogacar was up 2 second on Roglic after the first climb, but lost more than 20 second on the flat part. Some of it was probably also just not taking risks as well as thew wind.

McNulty rode rather late, so i don't think it's as simple as that.

Pogacar's special DNA component simply wore off! Remember the words of Tyrell:
The light that burns twice as bright, burns half as long. And you have burned so very very brightly, Tadej.

Time to die.

 

[bajbar]

As expected, Roglic was in the seat for 3 hours, great ride. The first part of the TT had small gaps but Rogla left a lot of energy for the second part, which was decisive (when he crushed the entire field, except McNulty). Fantastic performance by the American here. Unfortunately Pog didn't have enough for the 2nd part of the TT, which was disappointing. Primoz may have even sealed the race today with closest competitors (Poga, Yates) almost half a minute back. It will be difficult to overcome this gap, I didn't expect such gaps after this stage.

It is a step in the right direction, but I am not sealing anymore races for him until he crosses the line in Arrate... crushing defeats or crashes on the last important day of the race when he is in yellow have become a bit too regular for my taste haha. So fingers crossed, hope for the best.

 

[johnymax]

I think Roglic and Jumbo nailed the wind situation, the latter competitors clearly were going slower. Can't be a coincidence that both Foss and Vingegaard were also very fast.
And Pogacar was up 2 second on Roglic after the first climb, but lost more than 20 second on the flat part. Some of it was probably also just not taking risks as well as thew wind.

I also see a patern from Pogačar to start very fast and then fade a little bit in the second part (not in the PdBF tt though). With Roglič on the other hand it's the opposite. He usually saves that little more for the final kms (excluding PdBF again lol)

 

[Lequack]

McNulty rode rather late, so i don't think it's as simple as that.

Pogacar's special DNA component simply wore off!

I guess the advantage is that UAE can now compare the data of McNulty and Pogacar and see the differences.

 

[Skalman]

McNulty rode rather late, so i don't think it's as simple as that.

Pogacar's special DNA component simply wore off!

Yes but that special component will surely make itself known again at the Tour

 

[Red Rick]

Could also be a little startup trouble after not racing for a few weeks for Poggers. Day 1 ITT starting uphill isn't that easy, and Roglic does love the prologues/opening ITTs.

 

[kingjr]

McNulty rode rather late, so i don't think it's as simple as that.

As I said, compare the footage between the two over the last 100 m, the wind had clearly picked up. Even compared to Yates, actually. How much of an impact it had on the outcome I have no idea.

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

Could also be a little startup trouble after not racing for a few weeks for Poggers. Day 1 ITT starting uphill isn't that easy, and Roglic does love the prologues/opening ITTs.

Next year: 55k prologue!