Teams & Riders Tadej Pogačar discussion thread

[scribers]

”I followed Alaphilippe there. I don't know if he thought the finish line was at the top of that climb, but he went up like a rocket,” Pogacar laughs. ‘Then I went alone, but it remained super close. The pursuers were strong, so I had to push hard. In the end, it was just too far for me.’

 

[Peyroteo94]

Wellens crashed (maybe even the same crash as Narvaez?) before TV started. That's as far as I could make up from the commentators and some online sources. He already crashed quite hard in RVV and was riding with a fractured rib.

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It has been like 3 days since I visited this topic and I felt like I had to read a whole chapter of a book!

In short, I think Pog lost mainly because of wrong choices.
It took him making the wrong choice of following Alaphilippe. It also took a chase group that wasn't cooked by Pogs attack, simply because nobody followed Alaphilippe / Pog when they went clear (for reasons I don't understand: weren't they able or were they just very cold-blooded, or were they (most likely) seeing Pog go and thinking: don't follow this, it's suicide).

So for once, there was the ideal scenario (for the chasers) of Pog going early, on a parcours with a lot of headwind, and behind a strong group with some domestiques, not enough UAE riders to jump on attacks, and ofcourse a very dedicated chase by a strong duo. Pog still had a very fine sprint, but that sprint was lost because of wrong timing (started too early by Remco, so both Remco and Pog had to go early with some headwind).

So all the stars aligned for Skjelmose to win the race (he didn't steal it: he probably gave his very best chasing with Remco which most would consider suicide, so he was brave and willing to go all in).

Just saying that everything was close to perfect in terms of wearing Pog down, chasing Pog, and that sprint.

And still, Pog nearly won. He was the fastest on most of the key climbs. So I would say he's still the outright favourite in LBL. Remco is in fine form, but unless his early crash took much out of him and he that sharp attack uphill like on Redoute when he won Liege, I can't see Remco matching a serious (and this time better-timed) Pog attack. If Pog attacks on Roche-au-Faucons it's a done deal imho.

Narvaez and Wellens were kissing just asphalt in this classics season. So much bad luck

 

[Peyroteo94]

Pogi says the legs are great and can't wait for La Flèche Wallonne.

Pogačar je pred Valonsko puščico optimist: "Noge so odlične"; Evenepoel: "Brez padca bi zmagal"

Redko se zgodi, da je Tadej Pogačar po pobegu ujet in na koncu ne zmaga. Tekmeci se običajno v tem scenariju predajo in se usmerijo v boj za drugo mesto. Na dirki Amstel Gold Race ni bilo tako in svetovni prvak se je moral zadovoljiti z drugim mestom.

www.rtvslo.si

Crazy dude. It will be raining so his chances are good! However, I think he is gambling with his shape.

 

[Rasto]

or maybe he just needed to open up legs after rvv and roubaix his body went little off he did not do much training cause recovery and he will be flying next two races who knows

 

[Cycling111]

or maybe he just needed to open up legs after rvv and roubaix his body went little off he did not do much training cause recovery and he will be flying next two races who knows

I said he shouldn't do Amstel and Flecha, but it could be what you're saying.
Pogacar said he was very exhausted for a few days after PR and couldn't train.

Also, we have to remember the "drama" after Lioran. He wasn't that bad; he either misjudged his strength that day or didn't eat well.

Still, I don't think he should go to FW. That rest would do him good.

 

[Peyroteo94]

or maybe he just needed to open up legs after rvv and roubaix his body went little off he did not do much training cause recovery and he will be flying next two races who knows

Nah, he can be great without racing.

 

[Salvarani]

or maybe he just needed to open up legs after rvv and roubaix his body went little off he did not do much training cause recovery and he will be flying next two races who knows

He was still very good. Better than MVDP has been in AGR after Roubaix.

The plan wasnt to attack that early. Losing Wellens and Narvaez to crashes was bad. Following a silly attack from Ala, was also bad in hindsight. It wasnt smart, but that is easy to say after the matter. There are a few factors to consider here.

Only he knows how he feels, but as I said yesterday it is kind of uncharted territory for him after doing PR and then doing Ardennes straight after.

He and them dont know yet how this will go, if they were a bit enthusiastic as he put it or if his form is deteriorating and he suffer from the fatigue... due to a tough schedule. Still, Remco is the one that of course pose the biggest threat and he is likely to only get stronger in the next week. It could go either way imo but I think it will be really close and Remco is more favored based on being fresher, more prepared and coming into great form. That doesnt mean Pog cant beat him, but it will de difficult after going at MVDP three times already. He will have to race smarter, better support and good legs to finish it off.

 

[Peyroteo94]

He was still very good. Better than MVDP has been in AGR after Roubaix.

The plan wasnt to attack that early. Losing Wellens and Narvaez to crashes was bad. Following a silly attack from Ala, was also bad in hindsight. It wasnt smart, but that is easy to say after the matter. There are a few factors to consider here.

Only he knows how he feels, but as I said yesterday it is kind of uncharted territory for him after doing PR and then doing Ardennes straight after.

He and them dont know yet how this will go, if they were a bit enthusiastic as he put it or if his form is deteriorating and he suffer from the fatigue... due to a tough schedule. Still, Remco is the one that of course pose the biggest threat and he is likely to only get stronger in the next week. It could go either way imo but I think it will be really close and Remco is more favored based on being fresher, more prepared and coming into great form. That doesnt mean Pog cant beat him, but it will de difficult after going at MVDP three times already. He will have to race smarter, better support and good legs to finish it off.

Only way Remco can beat Pogacar is in a sprint.

 

[Red Rick]

The idea that bigger guys would recover faster after Roubaix than the best GT rider in the world was a bit wild to me

 

[Peyroteo94]

Oh guys, don't make me believe he just wasn't stellar yesterday because he didn't fully recovered from PR.

 

[Salvarani]

The idea that bigger guys would recover faster after Roubaix than the best GT rider in the world was a bit wild to me

Thats not true either though as he was still better than those. Still very good yesterday, all things considered.

He is facing a set of new opponents here and it is very different from going from the cobbles to Ardennes.

 

[Salvarani]

Oh guys, don't make me believe he just wasn't stellar yesterday because he didn't fully recovered from PR.

He went too early and was brought back by two strong riders working together. Still a very good performance.

 

[Salvarani]

Only way Remco can beat Pogacar is in a sprint.

Sure, you can say that and I don’t necessarily disagree with that but it is also a bit overconfident right now.

 

[Peyroteo94]

Sure, you can say that and I don’t necessarily disagree with that but it is also a bit overconfident right now.

There is always a possibility that I'm wrong but I'm not overconfident at all.

 

[Salvarani]

There is always a possibility that I'm wrong but I'm not overconfident at all.

You can be right, I hope so, but I think you also are being overconfident right now imo. It is all good though 👍

 

[Peyroteo94]

You can be right, I hope so, but I think you also are being overconfident right now imo. It is all good though 👍

So just to clarify, where do you think Remco can Pogacar?

 

[Jack_89]

Pogi says the legs are great and can't wait for La Flèche Wallonne.

Pogačar je pred Valonsko puščico optimist: "Noge so odlične"; Evenepoel: "Brez padca bi zmagal"

Redko se zgodi, da je Tadej Pogačar po pobegu ujet in na koncu ne zmaga. Tekmeci se običajno v tem scenariju predajo in se usmerijo v boj za drugo mesto. Na dirki Amstel Gold Race ni bilo tako in svetovni prvak se je moral zadovoljiti z drugim mestom.

www.rtvslo.si

Well, i think he answered my(our) question. Just some kind a bad day, repeating Le Lioran.
Otherwise he would never have gone to the Fleche knowing could be beaten. he would have saved every last grain of strength for the Liege. So, it will be fine

 

[Savant12]

Only way Remco can beat Pogacar is in a sprint.

Or if Pog is starting to feel fatigued which I think he is.

 

[Peyroteo94]

Or if Pog is starting to feel fatigued which I think he is.

So you also think he will be dropped. I think a sprint is the most likely scenario right now.

 

[Salvarani]

So just to clarify, where do you think Remco can Pogacar?

I don’t know.

I just wouldnt rule out a fresh, prepared and coming into form Remco in these races.

Especially after the races and efforts Pog has in his legs right now.

 

[Salvarani]

So you also think he will be dropped. I think a sprint is the most likely scenario right now.

Nobody is saying that he will be dropped. Just that it is very overconfident to say he cant given his tough schedule, that others havent raced and that are strong opponents. Again, you are just missing the point.

 

[Salvarani]

Well, i think he answered my(our) question. Just some kind a bad day, repeating Le Lioran.
Otherwise he would never have gone to the Fleche knowing could be beaten. he would have saved every last grain of strength for the Liege. So, it will be fine

Fingers crossed🤞

 

[Peyroteo94]

Nobody is saying that he will be dropped. Just that it is very overconfident to say he cant given his tough schedule, that others havent raced and that are strong opponents. Again, you are just missing the point.

I'm not, this is why I think he will not win solo (and can be beaten by Remco). A fresh Pogacar at 100% is unbeatable IMHO.

 

[Peyroteo94]

Well, i think he answered my(our) question. Just some kind a bad day, repeating Le Lioran.
Otherwise he would never have gone to the Fleche knowing could be beaten. he would have saved every last grain of strength for the Liege. So, it will be fine

This kid just loves to race.

 

[Salvarani]

I'm not, this is why I think he will not win solo (and can be beaten by Remco). A fresh Pogacar at 100% is unbeatable IMHO.

You are being overconfident with your statements, given the circumstances this time, and it could backfire. Hopefully not though. He still seems optimistic, which is good. I would still advice to be cautious and that everything will be fine... but as said, not be overconfident. Have more respect for someone like Remco and not underestimate the efforts Pog has put himself through this spring. Hopefully he bounces back on Wednesday already. We will see.