Mark Padun- Made it Ma, Top of the world

[Tim Cahill]

One day I hope we find out the full story of Padun's 2021 season. Absolutely wild ride.

 

[topcat]

Last year he was the best climber in the world and now he's the best timetrialler in the world. It's time for a full assault on the tour. Bring it home, Mark.

 

[Anderis]

and now he's the best timetrialler in the world.

It may be a stretch calling beating Jesus Herrada by 5 seconds as being the best timetrialler in the world, but yes, I'm happy for him and hope he can finally find some consistency this year. I hope he can stay mentally strong in these tough times.

 

[Mayomaniac]

It may be a stretch calling beating Jesus Herrada by 5 seconds as being the best timetrialler in the world, but yes, I'm happy for him and hope he can finally find some consistency this year. I hope he can stay mentally strong in these tough times.

His family is now living in Seattle, so at least he hasn't to worry about them.

 

[SafeBet]

Very surprising to see him win the TT and to be in such good form at the beginning of the season.
Since turning pro he's always taken a few weeks (even months) to find a decent shape.
I don't wanna say it out too loud but all signs point to him having a great season and Vaughters being right about him.

 

[johnymax]

He was the favourite to win the Tour for an hour or so.

 

[will-10]

I mean, there's no TTers here, but it sure is another interesting chapter for this dude. Nice to see him have success at such an unimaginable time for him.

 

[Skijumper Roglic fan]

I don't wanna say it out too loud but all signs point to him having a great season and Vaughters being right about him.

I hope Padun continues having success at EF. Would be glad for Vaughters and Padun.

Probably the duo EF-Padun fits really well. A special team and a special rider. To my surprise, I noticed that not everyone in cycling is glad to see Padun performing at a world class level. I actually cannot really understand this, and don‘t know what some people have against him.

The guy clearly has a big engine, and it will be exciting to see what he can achieve in the future. I‘m also sure his critics will be a bit silenced if Padun continues to show constant, classy, highest-class performances…

 

[Hugo Koblet]

What a fantastic victory today in a very rough time. I couldn't be happier for anyone than Padun winning today. Let's hope he will have some more of those this year. I'm looking forward to some epic climbing battles between the two mythical climbers, Padun and Storer!

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

None of the big TT guns here, and taking 10s on Valverde isn't exactly earthshattering. However, plenty of proven decent TTers actually were here, Izagirre, Haga, Oliveira...

 

[Big Doopie]

To my surprise, I noticed that not everyone in cycling is glad to see Padun performing at a world class level.

there's a reason for that. his appearance out of nowhere to demolish the field in two straight mountain stages in the dauphine. that and the fact he was on bahrain that was also suddenly having results beyond what anyone thought possible.

i admit. i was one of those doubters.

i listened to vaughters' interview about him and was willing to give them the benefit of the doubt. so i am pleased that he is able to show a high level when on EF as opposed to Bahrain.

 

[Fergoose]

there's a reason for that. his appearance out of nowhere to demolish the field in two straight mountain stages in the dauphine. that and the fact he was on bahrain that was also suddenly having results beyond what anyone thought possible.

You missed out Bahrain then coming to police attention and world beater Padun being dropped by Bahrain and going to a team with a smaller budget.

 

[tonymikejoe]

This has got to be frustrating if you are a Mark Padun fan.
113th out of 148 in the Dauphine Time trial.
Poor Chris Froome is getting killed on these forums for finishing 64th and 1min36secs earlier than the Ukrainian.
What's up with this guy? Earlier this season he WON a TT, against admittedly weaker opponents, but still at the pro level where riders are really good.
Is there a Mark Padun conundrum? Is he a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma?
What is the answer?

 

[Sciatic]

This has got to be frustrating if you are a Mark Padun fan.
113th out of 148 in the Dauphine Time trial.
Poor Chris Froome is getting killed on these forums for finishing 64th and 1min36secs earlier than the Ukrainian.
What's up with this guy? Earlier this season he WON a TT, against admittedly weaker opponents, but still at the pro level where riders are really good.
Is there a Mark Padun conundrum? Is he a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma?
What is the answer?

Do you think the war could be taking an emotional toll on him—enough to affect his training/racing?

 

[movingtarget]

Do you think the war could be taking an emotional toll on him—enough to affect his training/racing?

I think that's a reasonable assumption especially if he has relatives on both sides of the conflict like quite a few Ukrainians seem to.

 

[Big Doopie]

Weight.

 

[SafeBet]

Do you think the war could be taking an emotional toll on him—enough to affect his training/racing?

Of course it takes a toll.
Athletes are human beings. Sometimes they underperform when hey have relationship issues or family matters, even if they don't talk about it. Imagine having your kins risking their lives in a war.

Besides, Padun has always been a very inconsistent rider to begin with.

 

[Krzysztof_O]

Don't kick Mark too much before the weekend - he will make Roglic and co look like amateurs then.

 

[Zoef-Lightning]

Do you think the war could be taking an emotional toll on him—enough to affect his training/racing?

That's not the reason. Last season he suddenly rode two great mountain stages in succession. But before and after he barely performed. Without a war. So I think we should mainly look for "the medical preparation".

 

[Anderis]

This has got to be frustrating if you are a Mark Padun fan.
113th out of 148 in the Dauphine Time trial.
Poor Chris Froome is getting killed on these forums for finishing 64th and 1min36secs earlier than the Ukrainian.
What's up with this guy? Earlier this season he WON a TT, against admittedly weaker opponents, but still at the pro level where riders are really good.
Is there a Mark Padun conundrum? Is he a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma?
What is the answer?

Out of 120 race days in the last 3 years, he was up there maybe in 10 of them. He just seems to be a rider that goes to sleep for half a year and then suddenly awakens for 1 or 2 stages. What is the reason for that I can't tell but nobody should find this surprising at this point.

 

[movingtarget]

Out of 120 race days in the last 3 years, he was up there maybe in 10 of them. He just seems to be a rider that goes to sleep for half a year and then suddenly awakens for 1 or 2 stages. What is the reason for that I can't tell but nobody should find this surprising at this point.

He does enough to get a contract extension but as he gets older he might find that team management are not known for never ending patience..........

 

[hayneplane]

He does enough to get a contract extension but as he gets older he might find that team management are not known for never ending patience..........

More than most sports to do well consistently you need to eat breathe and sleep professional sport. Its a bit like Wiggins where once he had scaled the peaks and won the Tour he didn't find the motivation to live the lifestyle that would keep him at Grand Tour contending weight.