MVDP v Pidcock. The multi-discipline thread

[postmanhat]

Struck me the other day that we've entered a unique period in (mens) cycling history this year, with two riders being dominant/extremely successful in the three main formats.

They've been rivals in cyclocross for a couple of years with MVDP (and Van Aert) still clearly the best.

Pidcock made his pro debut on the road this year and looks almost certain to one of MVDP's main rivals for the classics in the coming years.

And he also joined the elites in MTB this year where he already looks like a superstar.

Continues tomorrow in the Olympics MTB race. Neither have had the best preparation with Pidcock in crash mode, and MVDP arriving later than most after the Tour. But probably worth getting up for 0700 BST, 0800 CET.

 

[Axel Hangleck]

I've said elsewhere, but I think Tom will end up being more successful at XCO than CX; it suits his abilities more - the longer climbs, which suit the lighter climber - and his excellent technical skills come into play. However, I still think he can win big CX races, and maybe even Worlds on the right course.

MvdP is almost the opposite; the longer climbs are not really his thing - he's better on short & punchy climbs were he can use his explosive power to drop people.
Remember, he's one of the few current riders who has won Elite level World Cups in both CX & XCO. I think Eva Lechner is the only other one (though PF-P has won World Champs in both).

As it's the Olympic MTB race tomorrow, I was doing some research; in 1996, many of the top 10 was made up of riders who did both disciplines - and had both XCO & CX World medals, and even a future Road WC/TdF winner.

 

[Breh]

Evenepoel will smoke em all

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

I'm gonna record it. 8am is to early and too late for my internal clock. I usually don't really watch xoxo, i mean mountainbike, but i'll gladly make an exception here.

 

[glassmoon]

So far Pidders is great - lap4, 1st place with Fluckinger on his wheel. MVP hard cash after the stupid mistake in first lap - rides again, but medal is no longer a possibility

 

[IndianCyclist]

Pidcock's got the race wining gap

 

[Bolder]

He's a marvel at XC; too bad there's not more money/exposure. VTT was my first cycling love and the only discipline I've ever raced.

 

[glassmoon]

Pidcock's got the race wining gap

too soon to say imho... still plenty of riding to go. but i'm rooting for him. go Pidders!

 

[meat puppet]

Pidcock very impressive. MvdP looked laboured and not fluid from the gun.

 

[wheresmybrakes]

I'm just waiting for the "if only the Slovenians were here" comments.

 

[Pirazziattacks]

Pidcock's too strong on the climbs, Schurter tried to follow and blew up whereas Flückiger didn't go into the red and is actually catching Pidcock. Edit: not anymore, he had to run up a climb.

 

[limak_]

Now I fully understand what Pidcock meant when he said that he's created for MTB.

His first season in elite, 22 years old, first Olympics and he's just flying here to take the gold.

 

[IndianCyclist]

too soon to say imho... still plenty of riding to go. but i'm rooting for him. go Pidders!

I made the conclusion from how laboured Flückiger looked at that time

 

[IndianCyclist]

MVDP Abandon

 

[glassmoon]

OT
Cink out - rear flat - after catching with Nino's group for bronze. Bummer...

 

[IndianCyclist]

Flückiger seems to have given up

 

[TMP402]

1-0 to Pidock, then.

 

[glassmoon]

What a ride Pidders! Bravo!

 

[IndianCyclist]

It was a good fight from Flückiger l

 

[IndianCyclist]

1-0 to Pidock, then.

Considering that MVDP was preparing for this for the last 3 years as his main goal maybe it is 10-0

 

[Mick Dundee]

Evenepoel will smoke em all

Hang on, this is a thread about proper cyclists... not ex-footballers who cant ride a bike!

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDe8EsBBfm0

check out the skills at 20 seconds in.

 

[MartinGT]

Considering that MVDP was preparing for this for the last 3 years as his main goal maybe it is 10-0

I wonder what would have been the case if Covid hadn't have hit?

 

[Armchair Cyclist]

I wonder what would have been the case if Covid hadn't have hit?

A probable different winner of a fairly low profile Olympic event is a very long way down the list of consequences of the pandemic.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Well 10-0 is a bit unfair considering VDP made 1 stupid mistake so we never got to see what his actual form was. Considering with all the pain he kept the gap to a minute for at least 3 laps It's safe to say he'd been up there in the top. Whether enough to challenge Pidcock unfortunately we'll never find out.

 

[Panda Claws]

I wonder what would have been the case if Covid hadn't have hit?

In that case he probably would have been in Japan much longer already etc. so yeah I don't think he would have made the mistake with the plank.
It's brutal though to make such a public mistake like that I hope he gets the support he needs. At least it's an individual sport so he doesn't get the hate that someone badly messing up a penalty kick would.