Strade Bianche 2025, March 8, one-day classic (men's)

[Froome]

Pogacar's schedule is so heavy that it is understandable his schedule can be more open due to lack of long periods of rest. Fighting Vingegaard in the Tour is tough and he isn't doing a light program in the spring like Vingegaard so it is possible he feels more fatigue in August.

He will not feel fatigue in August because he will do few day races until the Dauphiné.

Only RVV, LBL and maybe PR will be tired days.

 

[Unchained]

I mean we all watch the sport, right? We all get from watching him for about an hour that Pogacar is afraid of exactly…no one, right?

I mean… come on. The dude just wants to pin on a number and race. Every time out.

I think you are correctly observing conditions,
I really think lots of this is internet driven, many racers have ability and confidence, supporting cast. I think that Pogacar has respect for fellow racers and he says so, acts like it.
As far as Pogacar winning everything he enters, him being untouchable.. I have not seen him say or act that way.
He rides with honor to races and others. If internet has given him God like stature, not much can done, but in my opinion all the undercurrent of people saying to other teams and riders, why bother, Pogacar is just too dominant don't waste your time trying to beat him. Guy is historical talent for sure, unbeatable not based in fact

 

[Sciatic]

They offered Jorgenson leadership in Strade and Tirreno, but it was his choice to race PN.

After several pages of comments on Jorgenson’s schedule you’re the 1st to mention that PN is simply what he preferred to race.

 

[Berniece]

He will not feel fatigue in August because he will do few day races until the Dauphiné.

Only RVV, LBL and maybe PR will be tired days.

He rode a very extensive year last year too, so no reason for him to be fatigued.

 

[Peyroteo94]

He will not feel fatigue in August because he will do few day races until the Dauphiné.

Only RVV, LBL and maybe PR will be tired days.

He rode a very extensive year last year too, so no reason for him to be fatigued.

Just these two to answer this. Nothing new eheheh.
It is like training doesn't give physical and specially mental fatigue in order to be prepared for 6 weeks (spring classics).

 

[Lequack]

The most difficult Sterratos of STRADE BIANCHE
PS: You can enable English subtitles

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ft5Tc6r194

 

[No Excuses]

It will be men against goat and my money is on the goat for sure

 

[Cookster15]

Other than Pog who has a chance? Mohoric ?

A lopsided poll would be funny.

 

[veganrob]

Other than Pog who has a chance? Mohoric ?

A lopsided poll would be funny.

I would like to see Pidcock

 

[Cookster15]

I would like to see Pidcock

Probably a good pick. Already looks like he’s picked up a gear since switching teams.

 

[rghysens]

Other than Pog who has a chance? Mohoric ?

A lopsided poll would be funny.

Van Gils.

 

[Hugo Koblet]

Other than Pog who has a chance? Mohoric ?

A lopsided poll would be funny.

Baring crashes, I don't think anyone has a chance to be honest. The two most likely podium candidates are probably Pidcock and Van Gils.

 

[repre]

My favourite race, ruined by Pogi though. Still gonna watch, beautiful race. And try to pretend battle for 2nd is actually is for the win.

Pidcock must be a favourite for this with van Gils.

 

[Barkintheeye]

SB is an absolute favorite with beautiful amazing settings. I rode the Sportive last year together with 8.000 others the day before the pros and watched Pogacar pass several minutes before the rest the day after. Really enjoyed it!

 

[Rockestar_33]

I reckon Ben Healy is a smokie for the podium. Keen to see how Hirschi, Van Eetvelt, Zana and Madouas go too

 

[Berniece]

It is like training doesn't give physical and specially mental fatigue in order to be prepared for 6 weeks (spring classics).

Apparently not if you're Pogacar

 

[SafeBet]

Should be stripped of its WT status until the organisers are forced to delete the nugatory 30km from the race.

UCI should also come out with a statement banning the race from ever having 'monument' status to save us having to listen to asinine debates and deter future organisers from trying to force the issue by making ridiculous and dishonourable parcours alterations.

Who looks at races like this and thinks I know lets start tinkering.

Wow it seems like decades ago. All top riders battling it out on the sterrato, Pogi still looking beatable and Michael Gogl saying "guys I'm still here..."
Such an epic edition.

Grégoire is my favourite to be on the podium with Pogacar. Tulett should do well too considering his background and shape. And I'm curious about Hatherly on this terrain.

 

[Cookster15]

The more I know and watch it the more this race grows on me. Wonderful scenery, amazing terrain for bike racing. One thing that surprises me are the climbs. Short yes but some look impossibly steep. Re posting Lequak's post from page 1 - 3rd photo of MVDP. Is that for real?

Strade Bianche 2025, March 8, one-day classic (men's)

The best non-monument race, which should by now be a monument. It's always exciting and hard racing, with lots of gravel and climbing. Pogacar is returning to defend his last year's win, and Pidcock to defend his win the year before in 2023. There is talk of MVDP possibly starting as well, no...

forum.cyclingnews.com

 

[LookProGoSlow]

Probably a good pick. Already looks like he’s picked up a gear since switching teams.

Pickcock?

 

[repre]

Riders like Mohoric needs to be in the break if they wanna win. If they don't then just ride like usual and be somewhere in top10

 

[Lequack]

The more I know and watch it the more this race grows on me. Wonderful scenery, amazing terrain for bike racing. One thing that surprises me are the climbs. Short yes but some look impossibly steep. Re posting Lequak's post from page 1 - 3rd photo of MVDP. Is that for real?

Strade Bianche 2025, March 8, one-day classic (men's)

The best non-monument race, which should by now be a monument. It's always exciting and hard racing, with lots of gravel and climbing. Pogacar is returning to defend his last year's win, and Pidcock to defend his win the year before in 2023. There is talk of MVDP possibly starting as well, no...

forum.cyclingnews.com

It's very real, it's the last finishing climb of the race, and it's usually filled with people on both sides.
Here is 2018, where young Wout barely made it up because his legs were so spent

 

[Barkintheeye]

It's very real, it's the last finishing climb of the race, and it's usually filled with people on both sides.
Here is 2018, where young Wout barely made it up because his legs were so spent

Great pics!
Last ascent, le Tolfe and some others are really steep but if you have the legs - like MVDP 2021 - it's no problem. The course isn't that technical, particularly if you race it with some headroom. Yet, full gas and at the speeds the pros are going it's obviously not that easy.

I guess that is one of the reasons why Pogacar decided to go early last year. He could pick his lines, go at the appropriate speed on the descents and not be bothered by the peloton. When he passed the second time at the beginning of Colle Pinzuto it didn't look fast at all. Like he was riding a normal Sunday exercise. But then again he had already distanced the rest by lots.

 

[yaNzKEWL]

Van Gils will not start. Sick.

 

[Berniece]

Van Gils will not start. Sick.

That's unfortunate, could've definitely rode for podium

 

[Lequack]

Van Gils will not start. Sick.

Sick of Pogacar or just sick?