Ronde van Vlaanderen 2025, one day monument, April 6 (men's)

[Blanco]

I think either strategy is fine as ultimately the only thing that will matter is whether MVDP can withstand Pogacars attacks and take it to the run in after final ascent of the Paterberg.

Van Der Poel will drop Pogacar on the Paterberg.

 

[E_F_]

Van Der Poel will drop Pogacar on the Paterberg.

What makes you think that?

 

[Pantani_lives]

I don't think 80 km to go is early enough to anticipate anything.

Then when? Start half an hour before the others?

 

[E_F_]

Then when? Start half an hour before the others?

What I'd probably do is anticipate - before the event, I'm trying to anticipate occurs.

 

[Cookster15]

Van Der Poel will drop Pogacar on the Paterberg.

Maybe. But I think that really depends on how Pogacar rides this.

Ronde isn't MSR. If I had to wager, I'd wager on Pog winning not MVDP. I just think's Pog's aerobic reserves are too much for MVDP if he rides to take best advantage. But Pog needs to arrive at the foot of Paterberg with MVDP at his limit and holding on for dear life then just drill those 300 meters. I think Tadej is hungry.

 

[hayneplane]

Maybe. But I think that really depends on how Pogacar rides this.

Ronde isn't MSR. If I had to wager, I'd wager on Pog winning not MVDP. I just think's Pog's aerobic reserves are too much for MVDP if he rides to take best advantage. But Pog needs to arrive at the foot of Paterberg with MVDP at his limit and holding on for dear life then just drill those 300 meters. I think Tadej is hungry.

I don’t see him arriving at the foot of the Paterberg the final time with any company in view.

Kwaremont has been the difference maker and will be again.

 

[Cookster15]

I don’t see him arriving at the foot of the Paterberg the final time with any company in view.

Kwaremont has been the difference maker and will be again.

Makes sense and I hope you are right. Both these riders (and Pedersen) are capable of long range attacks. Looking forward to this !

 

[Berniece]

Maybe. But I think that really depends on how Pogacar rides this.

Ronde isn't MSR. If I had to wager, I'd wager on Pog winning not MVDP. I just think's Pog's aerobic reserves are too much for MVDP if he rides to take best advantage. But Pog needs to arrive at the foot of Paterberg with MVDP at his limit and holding on for dear life then just drill those 300 meters. I think Tadej is hungry.

Is it possible to have someone at their limit at the bottom of Paterberg? If Mathieu sits in the wheel from Kwaremont, I would expect him to have proper legs again after the descent and just sitting in the wheel.

 

[Cookster15]

Is it possible to have someone at their limit at the bottom of Paterberg? If Mathieu sits in the wheel from Kwaremont, I would expect him to have proper legs again after the descent and just sitting in the wheel.

Hence why @hayneplane suggested Pogacar will attack on Kwaremont. Problem is that may not be steep enough to drop MVDP.

Edit: Pogacar dropped MVDP on Oude Kwaremont in 2023.

 

[kingjr]

Hence why @hayneplane suggested Pogacar will attack on Kwaremont. Problem is that may not be steep enough to drop MVDP.

Edit: Pogacar dropped MVDP on Oude Kwaremont in 2023.

He perhaps won't drop him on the Kwaremont and Paterberg, but I have an inkling he might on the Koppenberg. In which case vdP will have to hope that Pedersen is still with him.

 

[E_F_]

How did MvdP and Pogi compare on Koppenberg two years ago? I would think perhaps MvdP might have an upper hand when it comes to technical ability on the cobbles, but perhaps Pogacar's superior climbing is all that really matters.

 

[Peyroteo94]

How did MvdP and Pogi compare on Koppenberg two years ago? I would think perhaps MvdP might have an upper hand when it comes to technical ability on the cobbles, but perhaps Pogacar's superior climbing is all that really matters.

What technical ability on cobbled bergs? That is all about w/kg. Don't fool yourself.

 

[Monsi]

How did MvdP and Pogi compare on Koppenberg two years ago? I would think perhaps MvdP might have an upper hand when it comes to technical ability on the cobbles, but perhaps Pogacar's superior climbing is all that really matters.

I'm not completely sure of it but I actually thought Pogi gapped MVDP there in 2023. Wout then went in front of MVDP to pretty much close the gap just as the climb was done.

 

[Krzysztof_O]

Hence why @hayneplane suggested Pogacar will attack on Kwaremont. Problem is that may not be steep enough to drop MVDP.

Edit: Pogacar dropped MVDP on Oude Kwaremont in 2023.

Kwaremont has 0.5 km at 8% section. It's not shallow all the time. Coupled with it's length (it's uphill before and after the section), it's obviously the best place to attack heavier riders as Pogi showed in the past.

 

[Berniece]

What technical ability on cobbled bergs? That is all about w/kg. Don't fool yourself.

Literally last year people had to walk up… sure those cobbles were wet but there is some technicality to it

 

[E_F_]

I'm not completely sure of it but I actually thought Pogi gapped MVDP there in 2023.

Yeah, just looked at the highlights. Pog had been up the road and MvdP caught up, but lost ground again. So I think that's about equal. MvdP probably shouldn't have attacked on Kruisberg. Both because he lost Wout, and because he needed the match for Kwaremont.

 

[Cookster15]

What technical ability on cobbled bergs? That is all about w/kg. Don't fool yourself.

Yes, plus I watched 2023. Pogi didn’t have any trouble dropping MVDP on the cobbles then.

Flanders definitely tilts the playing field in favour of Pogacar IMO.

 

[Peyroteo94]

Yes, plus I watched 2023. Pogi didn’t have any trouble dropping MVDP on the cobbles then.

Flanders definitely tilts the playing field in favour of Pogacar IMO.

Of course not. Wet cobbles are even better for Pogacar (in RVV, not PR) because you need to push more watts to maintain a good speed. And Pogacar is unbeatable in w/kg.

 

[Berniece]

Of course not. Wet cobbles are even better for Pogacar (in RVV, not PR) because you need to push more watts to maintain a good speed. And Pogacar is unbeatable in w/kg.

This is such bs, you clearly never have ridden on wet cobbles

 

[E_F_]

Yes, plus I watched 2023. Pogi didn’t have any trouble dropping MVDP on the cobbles then.

Flanders definitely tilts the playing field in favour of Pogacar IMO.

I don't disagree, I am expecting Pogacar to win in even more dominant fashion. I was just desperately trying to think of an edge MvdP might have on him. Might have been fun having false hope for a week...

 

[Cookster15]

This is such bs, you clearly never have ridden on wet cobbles

Then how did Pogacar beat MVDP in 2023? I prefer @Krzysztof_O ’s prediction.

 

[Berniece]

Then how did Pogacar beat MVDP in 2023? I prefer @Krzysztof_O ’s prediction.

What did that have to do with riding on wet cobbles?

Dutch article where multiple people said how impressive this was and he was able to do this more easily due to his CX background.

Koersvervalsing of ultieme kasseitest? Koppenberg besliste de Ronde, maar verdeelde de meningen | sporza

Nergens zoveel gevoel als op de Koppenberg. Zowel bij de mannen als bij de vrouwen bleken de glibberige kasseien van de helling cruciaal. "Koersvervalsing", vond de ene, "crosstoestanden" volgens de andere. Een samenvatting van de verschillende meningen.

sporza.be

 

[Krzysztof_O]

Then how did Pogacar beat MVDP in 2023? I prefer @Krzysztof_O ’s prediction.

I have no idea regarding dry vs wet cobbles though.

 

[Monsi]

Yeah, just looked at the highlights. Pog had been up the road and MvdP caught up, but lost ground again. So I think that's about equal. MvdP probably shouldn't have attacked on Kruisberg. Both because he lost Wout, and because he needed the match for Kwaremont.

I think this year, Pogi will do the same thing again and try to drop MVDP on 2nd Kwaremont then on Koppenberg, then the final Kwaremont-Paterberg combo. I think he'll go solo on Koppenberg.

 

[Lequack]

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=shared&v=7mpvxYpK8q8