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

[Pantani_lives]

Interesting situation. Roglic will have to think offensive and defensive at the same time. He'll have to attack to take the jersey back and defend against Pogacar simultaneously.

 

[Krzysztof_O]

Wow, that was surprising. McNulty man of the day. First he attacked hard on the muro (but was caught by Vinegaart), afterwards he attacked on flat/descent section (with a few others) and no reaction by TJV this time (weird, what was Roglic thinking?). New leader, congrats. Good tactical situation for UAE, now it's Roglic who has to attack (and also keep an eye on Poga).

 

[RedheadDane]

Nobody thinking about how weird this must be for Pogacar? Suddenly it's one of his teammates holding multiple jerseys at the same time! That's his thing.

 

[JosefK]

Wow, that was surprising. McNulty man of the day. First he attacked hard on the muro (but was caught by Vinegaart), afterwards he attacked on flat/descent section (with a few others) and no reaction by TJV this time (weird, what was Roglic thinking?). New leader, congrats. Good tactical situation for UAE, now it's Roglic who has to attack (and also keep an eye on Poga).

Yes, if Vingegaard wasn't going to take away bonus seconds from McNulty up front (which he didn't), hindsight says it would have been better to pull him back to Roglic's group to then help close the gap.

 

[Baldinger]

Wow, that was surprising. McNulty man of the day. First he attacked hard on the muro (but was caught by Vinegaart), afterwards he attacked on flat/descent section (with a few others) and no reaction by TJV this time (weird, what was Roglic thinking?).

TJV did react. Vingegaard was in the front group.

 

[Krzysztof_O]

Yes, if Vingegaard wasn't going to take away bonus seconds from McNulty up front (which he didn't), hindsight says it would have been better to pull him back to Roglic's group to then help close the gap.

That's what commentator were suggesting. I also thought he should be pulled back at least for last flat section (but keep in mind that Roglic had another teammate in his group, who didn't work).

 

[tobydawq]

TJV did react. Vingegaard was in the front group.

Hopeless way of reacting, though.

 

[HelloDolly]

Nobody thinking about how weird this must be for Pogacar? Suddenly it's one of his teammates holding multiple jerseys at the same time! That's his thing.

I am sure Pog would be happy for McNulty to win esp if he has a very happy dom on his hands

Anyway you look at it now UAE are in the driving seat and Roglic and JV are playing catch up

 

[Krzysztof_O]

TJV did react. Vingegaard was in the front group.

So they decided to give up a race lead for a possible stage win? Look at the gap (almost 50'), it wouldn't hurt Vineegard if TJV (Rogla and his teammate) pulled the hammer in the last few km and reduce the gap to let's say 20-30'.

 

[RedheadDane]

I am sure Pog would be happy for McNulty to win esp if he has a very happy dom on his hands

Does "weird" necessarily imply "not happy about it"?

 

[BlueRoads]

I can only hope that's finally the end of the "we can be so proud Grischa Niermann is DS of Jumbo" talk by German ES.

 

[Velolover2]

Roglic should definitely try to win tomorrow's sprint.

 

[ice&fire]

TJV did react. Vingegaard was in the front group.

Wait until Horner explains that for you

 

[JosefK]

Looking ahead, when/if Roglic attacks McNulty on the last hill of the final stage, Pogi gets a free ride behind Roglic with a chance to come around in the final kilometer to take back those 20 seconds, or maybe less would be needed with time bonuses.

 

[jmdirt]

WOOHOO! Brandon Mc!

 

[Bertram Wooster]

That must be one of the worst tactical decisions I have seen in a long time

 

[HelloDolly]

Does "weird" necessarily imply "not happy about it"?

Does saying he would be happy imply the opposite of 'weird' ??

 

[Krzysztof_O]

Looking ahead, when/if Roglic attacks McNulty on the last hill of the final stage, Pogi gets a free ride behind Roglic with a chance to come around in the final kilometer to take back those 20 seconds, or maybe less would be needed with time bonuses.

McNulty won't be easy to crack though. But I agree, If Rogla drops him then Poga will sit on his wheel and try to attack at the end.

 

[topcat]

Wait a minute, Roglic's going to be forced to attack. Beautiful stuff from Jumbo.

 

[Red Rick]

Lmao how steeps is that little climb right in the middle tomorrow?

 

[RedheadDane]

Does saying he would be happy imply the opposite of 'weird' ??

But that would take away the main point; that usually it's Pogacar who holds two, or three, (or four) jerseys at the same time in a stage race. Now it's McNulty.

 

[Eclipse]

Cannot believe Jumbo did this from a situation that was completely under control.

 

[Red Rick]

I still think it's playable. I think he can take 20s out of McNulty on Arrate + a bit of bonis, and I think it's decidedly harder for Poggers to drop Roglic by 20 considering the end of the Arrate isn't that hard.

 

[Rackham]

Looking ahead, when/if Roglic attacks McNulty on the last hill of the final stage, Pogi gets a free ride behind Roglic with a chance to come around in the final kilometer to take back those 20 seconds, or maybe less would be needed with time bonuses.

Am I the only one who sees Pogacar now needs to actually attack his own teammate to win the overall?

Roglic can take those 20 seconds off in the last 2km on Saturday, with Pogacar who needs to either pull for McNulty or follow Roglic (thus screwing his own teamate), drop Roglic (unlikely) & get those 20 seconds.

I mean hell, all week I've been reading comments about Pogacar attacking from a distance on the final stage. But that's not likely now is it? Considering it's his own teammate in the leader's jersey.

 

[HelloDolly]

But that would take away the main point; that usually it's Pogacar who holds two, or three, (or four) jerseys at the same time in a stage race. Now it's McNulty.

I made a post that wasnt the opposite of your post nor takes away anything from it yet you seem to think it does ...strange