Teams & Riders Tadej Pogačar discussion thread

[ChewbaccaDefense]

That was BS. Those are two different sports. It is like saying a chess world champion won a game of checkers played at Piazza del Campo hence Lotte is not the first world champion to win there. I dislike such pandering quotes.

It's not "pandering." That's just conservative talking point BS. It's a recognition that women's sports is treated as a 2nd class endeavor. You appear to believe that it is. In reality, it's great competition between physiologically incredible athletes, who would drop you 1 minute into any ride you were on with them. You hate women's cycling, and it sounds like women in general maybe.

I'll also note that Tadej is much closer to professional women cyclists than are you. I'm sure his comment is reflective of the fact that he sees first hand the dedication and sacrifices made, and understands that it is exactly the same dedication and sacrifice that he makes to be a professional cyclist. They do this only to be disrespected and derided by armchair cycling "fans" who need to make sure that they protect the belief that men deserve superior consideration and acolades in any given endeavor, because their belief in being "alpha" is necessary to cover their feelings of inferiority and inadequacy.

 

[scribers]

Yeah saying women’s and men’s cycling are two different sports isn’t a good look. They are two different races not two different sports. And the reporter/questioner could have done a better job by simply being aware of the women’s race achievements in their question by indicating the men’s race achievement of pogi. The question shouldn’t be seen as misogynistic itself, because do we understand the intent of that person? It came off as sloppy reporting and pogi corrected it.

 

[ChewbaccaDefense]

Yeah saying women’s and men’s cycling are two different sports isn’t a good look. They are two different races not two different sports. And the reporter/questioner could have done a better job by simply being aware of the women’s race achievements in their question by indicating the men’s race achievement of pogi. The question shouldn’t be seen as misogynistic itself, because do we understand the intent of that person? It came off as sloppy reporting and pogi corrected it.

And many men get really sensitive when the lack of awareness is pointed out, regardless of how mildly it is done. Snowflake energy abounds.

 

[scribers]

A heavy spring will not take a tool in the Tour. I know he will be in top shape however I don't have the same feeling for the Vuelta if he goes hard (too many classics in March and April) in the spring. We can't look only to race days. Doing a PR is not the same as doing a sprint stage in UAE.
After LBL, he will probably "rest" for a week and then he will start his most important training camp to build his shape for the Tour. May is where cyclists like Pogacar work to win the Tour.

I might be the only one who feels this way but I don’t want pogi to sacrifice Lombardia on the schedule in preparation. It’s his Merckx unassailable race. And I want pogi to challenge Merckxs absurd 19 monuments wins

 

[Monsi]

I might be the only one who feels this way but I don’t want pogi to sacrifice Lombardia on the schedule in preparation. It’s his Merckx unassailable race. And I want pogi to challenge Merckxs absurd 19 monuments wins

Still amazes me that he was able to win Lombardia in 2023 despite that not-so-good post-Tour form where he was just unable to drop his rivals on the climbs.

 

[scribers]

The thing with pogi and getting 5 tdf wins as a goal is LA won it 7 times. For me I just don’t care if he wins 5, 8, or even 3 of them. Not that I care for LA’s achievement, it’s just been done. Of course I want him to ride it and ride it to win.

I find myself rooting for him to chase monuments, full resume of wins, and race wins in general. And even unusual in-season combinations such as GT treble or reverse Triple crown (tour+veulta+worlds) or 4-5 monuments in a year.

 

[rafa92]

unfortunately I'm quite bearish on pog's chances in sanremo. The problem is that ganna is in great shape, quite a lot better than last year at this time and already last year he was able to stay with pog (almost) on poggio, and also in 2023 he was super strong and finished 2nd. The same goes for mvdp, last year he peaked later as he was trying to arrive in great shape also at lbl, and he arrived at msr with zero races in his legs. This year he will arrive with several race days, plus in the first race he already looked very strong. In general I think both mvdp and ganna will be quite a lot stronger than last year at msr and already last year pog couldn't drop them on poggio and if they arrive together they are both faster than pog in a sprint. I'm more convinced than ever that to have a chance pog has to do a full gas attack on cipressa. I heard wellens saying they are planning to do cipressa in 9 minutes, but that will absolutely not be enough, the group migth be smaller but all the favourites will be there anyway, and in the group there will be 25-30 riders. The team has to realize that hey have to ride as if the finish line was on the cipressa, and pog has to launch there. It's not realistic to go solo, especially considering how strong vdp and ganna will be this year but his goal should be to create a small group after cipressa of 6-7 riders max, and then either hope that they relay, or try everything to create a smaller group on the descent or in the flat after cipressa. Then launch again on the poggio, maybe early on the climb, and hope that something can happen after the race has been more attritional in the previous kms. Unfortunately with pog being so marked, winning msr, which in itself is already very difficult, becomes almost impossible, and requires trying something extreme

 

[scribers]

I would say extensive road rash is going to hamper preparations and take some luster off of his ability to win msr through superiority. I do think a loss at msr sets up him up physically and mentally to deliver hell to the competition for Holy Week

 

[Peyroteo94]

I might be the only one who feels this way but I don’t want pogi to sacrifice Lombardia on the schedule in preparation. It’s his Merckx unassailable race. And I want pogi to challenge Merckxs absurd 19 monuments wins

19 monuments is out of reach unless he starts winning PR or MSR.

 

[memyselfandI]

Pogi could make decisions in Roubaix and MSR, going Roubaix only if it's very dry conditions and MSR in wet cold conditions. Probably would benefit him.

I hope he somehow overrides Gianetti and goes for Roubaix, not matter what and this year and every year as long as he gets it. Because there's historically already so many of these regular GC completts that never will get it, did not get or never will. It's so damn boring these people saying I'm gonna win Tour 4-5-7 times. This man can, he is crazy enough, skillful enough, powerful enough. That he went over in Strade, doesn't mean he can't ride a bike to the limit. And if he's hungry for it, it's very promising, when it's Tadej.

 

[Peyroteo94]

unfortunately I'm quite bearish on pog's chances in sanremo. The problem is that ganna is in great shape, quite a lot better than last year at this time and already last year he was able to stay with pog (almost) on poggio, and also in 2023 he was super strong and finished 2nd. The same goes for mvdp, last year he peaked later as he was trying to arrive in great shape also at lbl, and he arrived at msr with zero races in his legs. This year he will arrive with several race days, plus in the first race he already looked very strong. In general I think both mvdp and ganna will be quite a lot stronger than last year at msr and already last year pog couldn't drop them on poggio and if they arrive together they are both faster than pog in a sprint. I'm more convinced than ever that to have a chance pog has to do a full gas attack on cipressa. I heard wellens saying they are planning to do cipressa in 9 minutes, but that will absolutely not be enough, the group migth be smaller but all the favourites will be there anyway, and in the group there will be 25-30 riders. The team has to realize that hey have to ride as if the finish line was on the cipressa, and pog has to launch there. It's not realistic to go solo, especially considering how strong vdp and ganna will be this year but his goal should be to create a small group after cipressa of 6-7 riders max, and then either hope that they relay, or try everything to create a smaller group on the descent or in the flat after cipressa. Then launch again on the poggio, maybe early on the climb, and hope that something can happen after the race has been more attritional in the previous kms. Unfortunately with pog being so marked, winning msr, which in itself is already very difficult, becomes almost impossible, and requires trying something extreme

I completely agree with this. MSR seems a hard task right now. He must give everything to create a gap in Cipressa. UAE riders to be well positioned before the climb in order to put everything on the line.

 

[Monsi]

19 monuments is out of reach unless he starts winning PR or MSR.

I wouldn't rule out maybe at least 8 Lombardias, 6 LBLs, and like 4 RvVs. Gonna be close as long as Pog stays healthy.

I completely agree with this. MSR seems a hard task right now. He must give everything to create a gap in Cipressa. UAE riders to be well positioned before the climb in order to put everything on the line.

Well, first of all, UAE has to send their absolute best team. Riders like Politt, Vermeersch, Novak, Wellens, Narvaez, and maybe Morgado/Herregodts/Del Toro in addition to Pog.

EDIT: On PCS so far, UAE's squad is Pog, McNulty, Wellens, Narvaez, and Novak. Please have Politt and Vermeersch there.

 

[Divergence]

It's not "pandering." That's just conservative talking point BS. It's a recognition that women's sports is treated as a 2nd class endeavor. You appear to believe that it is. In reality, it's great competition between physiologically incredible athletes, who would drop you 1 minute into any ride you were on with them. You hate women's cycling, and it sounds like women in general maybe.

I'll also note that Tadej is much closer to professional women cyclists than are you. I'm sure his comment is reflective of the fact that he sees first hand the dedication and sacrifices made, and understands that it is exactly the same dedication and sacrifice that he makes to be a professional cyclist. They do this only to be disrespected and derided by armchair cycling "fans" who need to make sure that they protect the belief that men deserve superior consideration and acolades in any given endeavor, because their belief in being "alpha" is necessary to cover their feelings of inferiority and inadequacy.

Wow....
I watch a lot of women's cycling and I like it. However, the fact remains that Pog (and any other male) is ineligible to race in the women's race. Therefore, amongst the eligible people, Pog is the first world champion to win the race. Just a statistic (and I do not care too much about such statistics I might add). The way I see it is that he said that in order to endear himself to the masses so to speak. All whilst destroying everybody without breaking a sweat (and making himself unpopular in many eyes amongst which, mine).

I am not much for giving unsolicited advice but you might wanna check yourself out...

 

[Peyroteo94]

I wouldn't rule out maybe at least 8 Lombardias, 6 LBLs, and like 4 RvVs. Gonna be close as long as Pog stays healthy.


Well, first of all, UAE has to send their absolute best team. Riders like Politt, Vermeersch, Novak, Wellens, Narvaez, and maybe Morgado/Herregodts/Del Toro in addition to Pog.

EDIT: On PCS so far, UAE's squad is Pog, McNulty, Wellens, Narvaez, and Novak. Please have Politt and Vermeersch there.

McNulty can't be there!
Pog
Wellens
Politt
Narvaez
Morgado
Vermeersch
Bjerg or Novak (Novak doesn't look good right now)

 

[rafa92]

I completely agree with this. MSR seems a hard task right now. He must give everything to create a gap in Cipressa. UAE riders to be well positioned before the climb in order to put everything on the line.

absolutely, narvaez, wellens and del toro/mcnulty (depending on who is in better shape) have to do very short and explosive pulls and the pog had to do a miracle, hoping only few riders can stay with him. However, I'm not convinced they will do this, I have the feeling they will go try to go very fast on cipressa but keep one man for pog on poggio, I hope I'm wrong

 

[Divergence]

Don't be silly. He didn't race in February and August for a reason.

Could be, but I have not seen Pog suffering for a while now. Maybe the last uncompetitive race for him was the ITT in 23 or the RR in 21. Therefore, I am inclined to believe he could have done quite well last year in those races. Additionally he also said it himself that politics played a role in the Vuelta appearance and we know already about the OG.

 

[rafa92]

McNulty can't be there!
Pog
Wellens
Politt
Narvaez
Morgado
Vermeersch
Bjerg or Novak (Novak doesn't look good right now)

I agree on novak, but I believe pog wants him there because of their personal relationship. Mcnulty to me can be very good on cipressa if he is in shape, on those shallow gradients he could be very good, but in his place I would bring sivakov who seems to be in good shape, plus he is very loyal to pog and has already shown he can be good when a race goes above 200km

 

[Monsi]

McNulty can't be there!
Pog
Wellens
Politt
Narvaez
Morgado
Vermeersch
Bjerg or Novak (Novak doesn't look good right now)

I don't mind McNulty being there. If he's in good shape, he can set a nice, hard pace on Cipressa. Bjerg could be nice too but we haven't seen him in a while. But UAE are trolling if they don't bring Politt and Vermeersch to MSR.

 

[Peyroteo94]

Could be, but I have not seen Pog suffering for a while now. Maybe the last uncompetitive race for him was the ITT in 23 or the RR in 21. Therefore, I am inclined to believe he could have done quite well last year in those races. Additionally he also said it himself that politics played a role in the Vuelta appearance and we know already about the OG.

He was completely dead in Glasgow. He was third because he is/was so superior compared to his rivals than even a fatigued Pogi is good enough to compete for a good place.

 

[Peyroteo94]

McNulty is a selfish rider and his ego is bigger than his capacity.

 

[Divergence]

He was completely dead in Glasgow. He was third because he is/was so superior compared to his rivals than even a fatigued Pogi is good enough to compete for a good place.

He was far from uncompetitive there. Sure, he did not win and that course with all those sprints out of corners was much better for VdP but I will reiterate that he was very competitive during that race.

 

[Shortcut]

McNulty can't be there!
Pog
Wellens
Politt
Narvaez
Morgado
Vermeersch
Bjerg or Novak (Novak doesn't look good right now)

If they are not going in with Bjerg-Pollit-Wellens-Vermeersch-Morgado-Del Toro-Narvaez-Pogacar in that order before Cipressa there is no way them going under 9 min. Only in that order that can work. And Del Toro+Narvaez need somehow survive until Poggio.

 

[Peyroteo94]

He was far from uncompetitive there. Sure, he did not win and that course with all those sprints out of corners was much better for VdP but I will reiterate that he was very competitive during that race.

I said he was competitive but he was completely dead after the Tour. He said that.

 

[Monsi]

If they are not going in with Bjerg-Pollit-Wellens-Vermeersch-Morgado-Del Toro-Narvaez-Pogacar in that order before Cipressa there is no way them going under 9 min. Only in that order that can work. And Del Toro+Narvaez need somehow survive until Poggio.

Only 7 riders in the squad

 

[Divergence]

I said he was competitive but he was completely dead after the Tour. He said that.

Sure he was tired but he could have won in Glasgow. The same goes for the OG and the Vuelta. Or do you believe he would have been nowhere in those races?