Milan San Remo, March 21, 2026, 298 km monument

[vappa]

Of course both of them would pull harder.
But if Pidcock stopped working after the descend (as some suggested), I refuse to believe that Pogacar would simply do a lead-out for him.

I mean, they would start bluffing and Pogacar would probably lose, it's still better doing a 2km leadout than being caught by the group so I'm not so sure

 

[AmRacer]

I mean, they would start bluffing and Pogacar would probably lose, it's still better doing a 2km leadout than being caught by the group so I'm not so sure

Pidcock would also be caught, and lose.

 

[KoopaCycling]

Difference in mentality then. In this, when facing a clear stronger opponent i'm taking the chris horner approach and make the other guy do the work. You all believe Pogacar is too smart to pull. But this was the one race alongside roubaix he wanted to win more than any other. I know what i would have told Pidcock had i been in his ear, definitely once he survived the Poggio. I very much disagree with the seeming consensus that working with pogacar was the best approach to fight for the victory, especially after the Poggio.

 

[AmRacer]

Difference in mentality then. In this, when facing a clear stronger opponent i'm taking the chris horner approach and make the other guy do the work. You all believe Pogacar is too smart to pull. But this was the one race alongside roubaix he wanted to win more than any other. I know what i would have told Pidcock had i been in his ear, definitely once he survived the Poggio.

'Don't pull, let what's left of the peleton catch you, but first Mathieu, and lose the bunch sprint.'

 

[YavorD]

I mean, they would start bluffing and Pogacar would probably lose, it's still better doing a 2km leadout than being caught by the group so I'm not so sure

I don't think Pogacar would consider second as a win and if he did a 2km leadout with a guy like Pidcock on his wheel, he is effectively riding for second.
None of them was winning with too much bluffing, Pidcock had no reason to do less than he did, he played it perfectly until the final sprint
Admittedly, he messed up his final sprint.

 

[KoopaCycling]

'Don't pull, let what's left of the peleton catch you, but first Mathieu, and lose the bunch sprint.'

I don't believe the peloton catches us. Not for a second after the Poggio. Not when i got a motor called Pogacar in front of me.

 

[HashRouge]

Difference in mentality then. In this, when facing a clear stronger opponent i'm taking the chris horner approach and make the other guy do the work. You all believe Pogacar is too smart to pull. But this was the one race alongside roubaix he wanted to win more than any other. I know what i would have told Pidcock had i been in his ear, definitely once he survived the Poggio. I very much disagree with the seeming consensus that working with pogacar was the best approach to fight for the victory, especially after the Poggio.

This is a wild take. That's a massive gamble for Pidcock. If it doesn't work and the group comes back, Pidcock might not even make the top 10. Working with Pogacar guarantees they stay away and means he gets at least second, with a decent chance for the win. That's massive for a team like Q36.5.

 

[KoopaCycling]

This is a wild take. That's a massive gamble for Pidcock. If it doesn't work and the group comes back, Pidcock might not even make the top 10. Working with Pogacar guarantees they stay away and means he gets at least second, with a decent chance for the win. That's massive for a team like Q36.5.

Is it? I had the same take during the actual race? Now and then that immediately seemed the best option to get the actual win, not just compete for it. Colour me surprised for people finding it outlandish. Maybe cause i don't take in regard second place or third place UCI points. I just think what I would do if i was in that position and wanted to actually win.

 

[Salvarani]

Is it? I had the same take during the actual race? Now and then that immediately seemed the best option to get the actual win, not just compete for it. Colour me surprised for people finding it outlandish.

Do you put 100k on red and is perfectly fine walking away with nothing as well?

 

[KoopaCycling]

Do you put 100k on red and is perfectly fine walking away with nothing as well?

I never gamble with money. But this is sports, only die hards will remember second place. What matters is the win.
(hyperbole)

 

[Salvarani]

I never gamble with money. But this is sports, only die hards will remember second place. What matter is the win.

You didnt understand the question and thats easy to say from your coach. I believe Pidcock and his team views it differently.

 

[KoopaCycling]

You didnt understand the question.

In this sporting instance, yes i would be fine with walking away with nothing knowing i did what was necessary to maximise my actual chances. Like I said i don't believe for a second Pogacar would have allowed the peloton to come back after the Poggio. So from that point on i would not leave Pogacar wheel.

After all, he walked away with nothing now as well. After imo failing to maximise what may have been a lifetime opportunity.

 

[Salvarani]

In this sporting instance, yes i would be fine with walking away with nothing knowing i did what was necessary to maximise my actual chances. Like I said i don't believe for a second Pogacar would have allowed the peloton to come back after the Poggio. So from that point on i would not leave Pogacar wheel.

After all, he walked away with nothing now as well. After imo failing to maximise what may have been a lifetime opportunity.

Nah, thats just not how it works though.

 

[AmRacer]

I never gamble with money. But this is sports, only die hards will remember second place. What matters is the win.
(hyperbole)

People remember who come second, but not who didn't make it to top 10.

 

[AmRacer]

In this sporting instance, yes i would be fine with walking away with nothing knowing i did what was necessary to maximise my actual chances. Like I said i don't believe for a second Pogacar would have allowed the peloton to come back after the Poggio. So from that point on i would not leave Pogacar wheel.

After all, he walked away with nothing now as well. After imo failing to maximise what may have been a lifetime opportunity.

He maximised the best result he could do, first or second.

 

[Salvarani]

People remember who come second, but not who didn't make it to top 10.

I will never forget Sep Vanmarcke, Wout Van Aert or Filippo Pozzato.

 

[KoopaCycling]

Who come second in 2010? 2015? 2020?
Well 2020 most would still remember

 

[KoopaCycling]

I will never forget Sep Vanmarcke, Wout Van Aert or Filippo Pozzato.

And you are a member of a cycling forum. Not most of the general public.

 

[AmRacer]

Who come second in 2010? 2015? 2020?
Well 2020 most would still remember

Who didn't make it to top 10?

 

[Salvarani]

And you are a member of a cycling forum. Not most of the general public.

Hilarious.

 

[KoopaCycling]

He maximised the best result he could do, first or second.

Clearly i disagree. Like I said i don't believe the peloton comes back after the poggio.
best we can do. i think Pogacar keeps himself out of the clutches of the peloton, you think he won't if Pidcock does not help.

That's settled then. You think Pidcock maximised his chance, i think he failed to do so.

 

[Salvarani]

0,5 bike wheel is really miles away when you think about it.

 

[KoopaCycling]

0,5 bike wheel is really miles away when you think about it.

It's not a win

WVA was equally close to Flanders. Bet he wishes he could have a redo.

 

[AmRacer]

Clearly i disagree. Like I said i don't believe the peloton comes back after the poggio.
best we can do. i think Pogacar keeps himself out of the clutches of the peloton, you think he won't if Pidcock does not help.

That's settled then. You think Pidcock maximised his chance, i think he failed to do so.

Having a chance at the top spot is better than top 10 at best. That's what Pidcock did.

 

[Krzysztof_O]

0,5 bike wheel is really miles away when you think about it.

Somebody told poor Tom it had been just 4 cm and he was devastated.