MSR Recap: Pogacar will eventually win this race (MvdP is 30 and won’t stick around forever), and Pogacar is just getting stronger and stronger. It’s actually ridiculous how strong he is now, with that many attacks on these low gradients and that speed. The drag benefits of sitting behind all of Cipressa and 90% of Poggio when he nuked it like that are insane at that speed vs whom — that many times. It’s getting ridiculous how strong he is. Needless to say, the season is going to be fun. Pog also learned that going at Cipressa can work now with Narvaez prepping an attack. Besides him and Wellens, everyone can do better.
MvdP. Awesome win. He’s a freak, pure greatness, and one of the best classic riders Ive ever seen. This is also his specialty—these efforts and gradients and even though he benefits greatly on these gradients in the drag. It’s still mega impressive, and the guy is in the pantheon of cycling greats. The reality is he will always benefit from the drag as long as he is around because the incentive is on Pogi to go, as he has a better sprint—but MvdP won’t stick around forever pushing 30 now.
If Ganna had earned his first monument, that would also have been a good outcome as well and he too was very impressive, likely never been stronger.
Conclusion: That was an actually awesome edition for once. Grande Pog, Ganna, and MvdP—pure cyclismo and big balls, just the way we like it.