• The Cycling News forum is still looking to add volunteer moderators with. If you're interested in helping keep our discussions on track, send a direct message to @SHaines here on the forum, or use the Contact Us form to message the Community Team.

    In the meanwhile, please use the Report option if you see a post that doesn't fit within the forum rules.

    Thanks!

Paris-Nice 2023, March 5-12

Page 52 - Get up to date with the latest news, scores & standings from the Cycling News Community.
Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
BR2

BR2

Feb 26, 2022
1,462
2,309
5,680
Visit site
Cookster15 said:
I am definitely a fan of strength. But I can see why others prefer entertainment.

I am wondering if Pog’s panache today was to make a statement? Yes I know I can out sprint the group but to ride away will put a few lingering doubts in Vingo’s mind - Vingo will be thinking, he will be ready for me this time.

I also don’t think it’s helpful to mention Alaphilippe in this conversation? Sure he is entertaining, but other than the unique circumstances of 2019, JA isn’t a genuine GC threat in Grand Tours.
Click to expand...

Pogacar loves to demolish.

Guess there just isn't anyone among the current GC riders for me. Probably Bernal, if he was fit again, Carapaz or Martinez, but they are all on Ineos, so not exactly underdogs, but I do like their racing. I also really like Powless, but he's not a very realistic guy for a GT podium. O'Connor, if he was a bit better. Vlasov, but I am not too keen on a Russian right now to win a GT.
I would like someone to cheer for who's not on one of those super rich teams, who doesn't crush the opposition at will in one day races, but who rides offensively and sometimes a bit vicious.
For some reason I just don't feel Gaudu. Gaudu would probably (have to) be my man.
 
  • Like
  • Haha
  • Wow
Reactions: firefly3323, rokovski and Lequack
Escarabajo

Escarabajo

Apr 16, 2009
17,177
6,155
28,180
Visit site
perico said:
For all the hype he’s received since he signed with Ineos, Martinez has yet to really live up to expectations. I think more was expected than your random 1 week GC rider who occasionally can pull off a win in the Basque Country
Click to expand...
I never read anywhere that Martinez was signed by INEOS for GC but as a domestique for Bernal. That they are trying hard to convert him to a GC rider is another thing. I think that He has been doing just fine for what he was hired for. Hope he breaks through with his problems. But that is another topic.
 
  • Like
Reactions: repre, Unterlenkerfahrend and search
bNator

bNator

Apr 14, 2021
1,521
2,867
10,180
Visit site
When evaluating this year vs last year's performances - I think the issue for Vinge is not that Pog is the same level as last year this time around. The problem is that Vinge is not in a better shape. Last year, he could afford to go under the radar at the beginning of the season. There was no pressure for him to perform. This year, there's pressure and the very real possibility is he wanted to surprise Pog with better form in March. This is indicated by his performances and effort to establish himself in races prior to T-A and during T-A when it was he himself who drew the first blood in stage 4.

But even if it isn't so, still - now there will be some doubts (internal and external) which could (not necessarily will) mess him up psychologically during the long wait&preparation for the Tour. You would have to be really sure of yourself to still be confident that come July, he would be able to match and surpass Pog. Maybe he is (sure of himself)...
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: gunara and Nick2413
N

Nick2413

Dec 2, 2020
2,037
2,933
11,180
Visit site
bNator said:
When evaluating this year vs last year's performances - I think the issue for Vinge is not that Pog is the same level as last year this time around. The problem is that Vinge is not in a better shape. Last year, he could afford to go under the radar at the beginning of the season. There was no pressure for him to perform. This year, there's pressure and the very real possibility is he wanted to surprise Pog with better form in March. This is indicated by his performances and effort to establish himself in races prior to T-A and during T-A when it was he himself who drew the first blood in stage 4.

But even if it isn't so, still - now there will be some doubts (internal and external) which could (not necessarily will) mess him up psychologically during the long wait&preparation for the Tour. You would have to be really sure of yourself to still be confident that come July, he would be able to match and surpass Pog. Maybe he is (sure of himself)...
Click to expand...
There is probably some truth to the idea that Vingegaard is trying to be stronger at this point in the season than in years past. If true this might not bode well for him. But in and of itself he appears to be in similar or slightly better shape at this point this year than last. So a lot of permutations that make it hard to speculate on.

I didn’t really follow his first stage race this year but supposedly he was putting up quality numbers, wonder how this week compares.
 
  • Like
Reactions: SHAD0W93
S

saunaking

Jul 22, 2010
1,562
2,010
13,680
Visit site
bNator said:
I do not agree at all that Pogacar‘s attacks are riskless. They only appear riskless after they succeed. I mean, take last years Galibier attack. If he succeeded, would you claim it was riskless? Some would, apparently. Yet it is now proven it was a very risky attack.

In Pog situation (as it was today) every attack is riskier than playing it safe. And he’s doing it for you and me, for our entertainment (yeah, right…).

Pog would win in any case, this way at least there’s excitement seeing if he can pull it off (again).
Click to expand...
This guy knows!!!
 
B

Bolder

Jun 25, 2015
5,140
5,096
23,180
Visit site
I thought Vingegaard was where he needs to be at this point to prepare for the TdF. He's not the same kind of rider as Pog; he's a nearly pure climber who as far as i know doesn't have ambitions to win every monument. And, as has been pointed out (and something I agree with): He will rely more on team tactics than Pog.

So I don't see the benefit of aiming for a peak this early in the year if it compromises his Tour.
 
  • Like
Reactions: gregrowlerson
O

Oldermanish

Jan 31, 2016
3,611
6,033
19,180
Visit site
Bolder said:
I thought Vingegaard was where he needs to be at this point to prepare for the TdF. He's not the same kind of rider as Pog; he's a nearly pure climber who as far as i know doesn't have ambitions to win every monument. And, as has been pointed out (and something I agree with): He will rely more on team tactics than Pog.

So I don't see the benefit of aiming for a peak this early in the year if it compromises his Tour.
Click to expand...
I'd agree completely on Jonas' prep. He actually looks really good this far out from the crucial Tour dates. Part of what made Tadej look so dominant was the uncertainty of the contenders when he made a move. I watched the end of the final stage and everyone....EVERYONE but Mateo Jorgenson was just hanging on or hanging out. Mateo was killing it for time bonuses to move up a place or two. That group should have been able to cut Pogacar's gap to 10 seconds with that much downhill but they really didn't care....it's March!
Bolder's right about Jonas and the others in that they have bigger targets ahead.
 
  • Like
Reactions: firefly3323
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom