Pogacar filling up on gummy bears before the race
View: https://x.com/trpela/status/1902455697616642073
Marginal gains!
Pogacar filling up on gummy bears before the race
View: https://x.com/trpela/status/1902455697616642073
But then I think Ganna should100% contribute . I just don't think a flat TT specialist would suffer more on the section between Cipressa and Poggio than Pogacar. And it gives him a clear path to winning other than "sneak away on the flat bit at the end".Cooperation only helps Pogacar. See RVV 2023.
Especially Pidcock should 100% not contribute.
Ganna will be drafting the least in a group like that.But then I think Ganna should100% contribute . I just don't think a flat TT specialist would suffer more on the section between Cipressa and Poggio than Pogacar. And it gives him a clear path to winning other than "sneak away on the flat bit at the end".
Generally I'm not sure the guys who'll be good on the hills but aren't bunch sprinters aren't all increasing their chances of winning by cooperating. Yeah Pidcock might get cooked on the Poggio but I think there is at least a reasonable chance he would hang on and in the sprint he can absolutely beat Pogacar. Maybe they are a little more likely to hang on if they arrive at the Poggio in a bunch, but again, what's their path to winning then?
Not to open that particular can of worms, but he (almost) beat Van Aert in a sprint at AGR.I'm a big Pidcock fan but I really don't know why you think he can beat Pogacar in a sprint. Has he ever in any race? I can't think of any. I'm not sure that PIdcock is still at the sprinting level he showed in 2021 and i recall an interview from 18 months when he said his he'd lost his sprint which he attributed to knee pain.
At the end of a tough race, Pogacar has outsprinted Pederson at least twice, and even beat Van Aert in a sprint in Canada in 2022.
Interesting tactical wrinkle: Philipsen might not be at or near 100%, but teams will have decide whether they will plan tactically for a fully prepared or somewhat diminished Philipsen. By the team there is evidence on the road for his condition, it may be too late.Philipsen cleared and will race.
Philipsen cleared and willPhilipsen cleared and will race.
If Alpecin think he's not in condition to win after his crash, I think it's stiill worth them taking him for presence alone as a theoretical tactical card, so VDP can point behind a bit after the Poggio to get some respite. Even if he's crocked, 'Big-6 Jasper' as an idea still has power, like Roglic on Granon.Philipsen cleared and willracewin.
Pidcock smoked WvA in a 3 up sprint in Brabanste Pijl. Pidcock can definitely win a small group sprint against the Classics specialists elite. I'm not sure where this notion has come from that he coudn't beat Pog in a sprint has come from. That said, I still think his best chance comes from following Pog and then using his descending skills on a wet Poggio.Not to open that particular can of worms, but he (almost) beat Van Aert in a sprint at AGR.
Wow that’s interesting about over 50 years since a WC won msr
van der dom back on the menuPhilipsen cleared and will race.
Wow that’s interesting about over 50 years since a WC won msr
I really don't see Ganna having a chance to win. He's more likely to be helping someone else unwittingly.
Philipsen cleared and willracewin.
Does one really? I would actually think this is the one race where you can win without being in absolute peak condition.I can't imagine he keeps his same number of stars on the fav's list. He's gonna be sore and one needs every last % point to win this race.
This is the one race you can win without being in absolute peak condition, but only if you can make it over the Poggio without being in said absolute peak condition. So the crash is more debilitating for Philipsen than it would have been for most of the other favourites.Does one really? I would actually think this is the one race where you can win without being in absolute peak condition.
This is the one race you can win without being in absolute peak condition, but only if you can make it over the Poggio without being in said absolute peak condition. So the crash is more debilitating for Philipsen than it would have been for most of the other favourites.
It is not likely rain at Poggio, but It could rain a little at that hours there. If happens, It will chance a lot the race, specially at the descent, but would make harder the climb as well. Pogacar have to risk in the descent in all the scenarios, so for him better no rain there, just from Milano to Turchino to make a harder race.So pumped. While I'm sure its bad for the riders, I'm not sure if rain will also be bad or good for the racing. That descent is already sketchy - and 300km of riding around in the rain for 20min of action at the end would be horrible. Not even sure it would suit Pog. Maybe pederson
Also - we have got to stop referring to these in threads as "one day monuments"
Highlighting the main characteristic of MSR: UNPREDICTABILITY.Wow that’s interesting about over 50 years since a WC won msr