Teams & Riders Tadej Pogačar discussion thread

[Cycling111]

Of course he will be back. In fact, I only see Del Toro with a tiny possibility to reach Pogacar's level (I don't think he will btw) so there is a possibility Pogacar can win 3 out of 4 TdF in the next 4 years.

From what I've read on X, he said on Slovenian TV that his goals for 2026 are Paris-Roubaix and the fifth Tour de France.

Of course he'll be back. There's been a lot of wishful thinking in some interpretations.

 

[yaf2]

Anyways, guys.
I don't know if somebody here shares my opinion.
I expected more from Pogacar.
I'm disappointed.
Peace.

Tbh i am fine with his decision to skip vuelta for his own reasons but what i can't still understand is his tdf last week displays. I hoped he would clarify why he lost his 2024,23,22,21.. tdf cannibalistic nature & didn't want to beat cavs stage win records which im sure he strives for it if u ask him in 2024 also even on hautacam this year & even was talking about retirement & boredom which he didn't mention once even in his giro win. I thought he was bored b/c he can't do his magical solo wins b/c the vuelta is still to come but man i was wrong😞

 

[fenns]

2 GTs was no problem for Pogacar in 24 - he finished the Tour strongly. And on the back of a spring classic campaign plus Catalunya.

I don't believe this is anything other than a UAE decision - and in the Vuelta they will get the results they deserve.

 

[Cycling111]

Rather he skip the ITT. Let Roglic take that one.

Focus on the RR.

Slovenia has two places.

I'd rather see him make a serious attempt at the time trial than that trip to Canada.
But with that trip to Canada, he won't be training on the time trial bike.

 

[SHAD0W93]

It is the Tour. I feel like he just want to ride his bike and enjoy. Media ask him too many questions and there are many obligations that you have to do at the Tour. He is still very young and can feel the pressure and feel overwhelmed at times.

That’s also why it was good he lost the jersey before the first rest day despite what some were thinking. Less time he had to deal with the media.

 

[Cycling111]

2 GTs was no problem for Pogacar in 24 - he finished the Tour strongly. And on the back of a spring classic campaign plus Catalunya.

I don't believe this is anything other than a UAE decision - and in the Vuelta they will get the results they deserve.

G. Thomas said in a podcast that Pogacar had intended to compete in the Vuelta last year but ultimately didn't due to pressure from the team because Almeida and Yates had to lead the Vuelta.
We already saw what happened, in just one week they were left without GC.

G. Thomas is quite close to Pogacar, so it must be true.

 

[Peyroteo94]

Rather he skip the ITT. Let Roglic take that one.

Focus on the RR.

Why? He can win both.

 

[Cycling111]

I agreed last year I would debate this but it worked wonders last year to add this race into his schedule for his form so what are you arguing? Its clearly why its added methadolical by him and Sola etc. Nothing of this makse sense my friend?

He is sticking to a formula regarding his traning plan to build super form for WC he knows works, is it really any harder than that?

its even proven I really struggle to follow. Unless your think they and Sola hold a gunpoint at his head and he dont decide this himself? i really dont understand what you mean. Its a proven formula even which he/we know works.. i would follow your angle last year but its proven and for Pogacar with Sola iots clearly proven so its comfort.

The situation is very different because this year the WC is outside of Europe.

 

[SHAD0W93]

Vingegaard in 2023 (pre-crash).
1st in Gran Camino
3rd in Paris-Nice
1st in Itzulia
1st in Dauphine
1st in the TDF (with insane level)
2nd in the Vuelta (the strongest rider)
68 race days
I want to measure Pogacar against this guy not against some farmers in Canada and Italy.

Roglic was stronger in the 10 days or so and if they weren’t on the same team would have gained more time. After that it’s hard to say how much stronger one or the other was.

 

[Peyroteo94]

Roglic was stronger in the 10 days or so and if they weren’t on the same team would have gained more time. After that it’s hard to say how much stronger one or the other was.

Roglic was better than Vingegaard. Vingegaard was the chosen one though.

 

[yaf2]

G. Thomas said in a podcast that Pogacar had intended to compete in the Vuelta last year but ultimately didn't due to pressure from the team because Almeida and Yates had to lead the Vuelta.

G. Thomas is quite close to Pogacar, so it must be true.

I think this theory of pog skipping b/c of ayuso or someone doesn't make sense. Last year he said to G he wanted to give opportunities to others in vuelta but he said it half jokingly coz he knows he can't do/win giro tour vuelta & wc in the same year(its just impossible otherwise he would retire the following year). Last year his goal was to win the wc after the tour & he did that but no one in the team is in the position to tell him he isn't doing this or that race since he has a direct connection with the sheik & the sheik chooses pog 100 times out of 100 ahead of ayuso

 

[Cycling111]

I think this theory of pog skipping b/c of ayuso or someone doesn't make sense. Last year he said to G he wanted to give opportunities to others in vuelta but he said it half jokingly coz he knows he can't do/win giro tour vuelta & wc in the same year(its just impossible otherwise he would retire the following year). Last year his goal was to win the wc after the tour & he did that but no one in the team is in the position to tell him he isn't doing this or that race since he has a direct connection with the sheik & the sheik chooses pog 100 times out of 100 ahead of ayuso

That was said by someone who we have no proof that he actually knows anything.

The reality is that Pogacar himself has admitted to making decisions to keep his teammates happy, not what he would have always done in the first place.

 

[James M]

The situation is very different because this year the WC is outside of Europe.

Canada is the only race I cba watching from Pog all year, I dont care, its only there for prep now, so dont misunderstand it with im saying I like it. Im only saying its very logical to understand as to why its there this year If your Pogacar, in regard to WC prep race for him knowing the same formula worked so incredible well last year its comfort, and dont mistake yourself with he dont having final say to all of this, he obviously does. He also know it works brilliantly for him, thereby should go without saying how logical it is in reality if ur him.

Dont be afraid of WC outside of Europa, its a nothing burger as im sure he and they are aware by now where it is. Maybe the rest will travel to Zurich this year , anyone who do can at least fight for the win.

 

[Cycling111]

There are some strange things. In the second week of the Tour, Giannetti confirmed to the Gazzetta that Pogacar would be going to the Vuelta. A few days later, it was leaked that Ayuso was changing agents and wanted to leave the UAE. Two days later, it was leaked that Ayuso could be going to the Vuelta for Pogacar.
At least Ayuso's situation seems connected. The news of his departure, and then two days later, he was included in the Vuelta a España when the UAE didn't want to include him in the 2 GT class because he was too young.

Giannetti said with great conviction in the Gazzetta that Pogacar was going to the Vuelta.
In that same interview, he was highly critical of Ayuso and again ruled him out for the Vuelta.

It could just be a coincidence. But the timing of everything is quite disturbing and gives reason to doubt that there's anything more to it.

 

[Oldman]

Anyways, guys.
I don't know if somebody here shares my opinion.
I expected more from Pogacar.
I'm disappointed.
Peace.

Next time I see him I'll ask how he responds to our disappointment regarding his achievements. I'll ask Jonas, too.

 

[fenns]

I think this theory of pog skipping b/c of ayuso or someone doesn't make sense. Last year he said to G he wanted to give opportunities to others in vuelta but he said it half jokingly coz he knows he can't do/win giro tour vuelta & wc in the same year(its just impossible otherwise he would retire the following year). Last year his goal was to win the wc after the tour & he did that but no one in the team is in the position to tell him he isn't doing this or that race since he has a direct connection with the sheik & the sheik chooses pog 100 times out of 100 ahead of ayuso

Pogacar is under contract - he has to do what the Team tells him or experience consequences. It's exactly like being a movie star - sometimes they have to do bad films because they are under contract - they have no choice.

I certainly don't buy the fatigue line - not when it is delivered less than 48 hours after the Tour with the Vuelta still weeks away.

 

[Lequack]

So maybe it's Ayuso who is the boss of the team.

 

[hayneplane]

Anyways, guys.
I don't know if somebody here shares my opinion.
I expected more from Pogacar.
I'm disappointed.
Peace.

I thought he would be more assertive when it comes to his legacy and career goals than this.

 

[fenns]

I think it's likely he won't win Vuelta in his career. The greats have a maximum 8 year window in which to achieve their biggest wins - and Pog is already in year 6

 

[Oldman]

Pogacar is under contract - he has to do what the Team tells him or experience consequences. It's exactly like being a movie star - sometimes they have to do bad films because they are under contract - they have no choice.

I certainly don't buy the fatigue line - not when it is delivered less than 48 hours after the Tour with the Vuelta still weeks away.

Let's start a conspiratorial dialogue, by all means.
Tadej has now won more Tours than anyone that still rides a bike professionally. He doesn't have to do anything in spite of his contract if it is so poorly drafted that it would give the team the right to demand he do races they deem more important than his health. Jonas likely feels the same and each have their own tolerance for how intrusive the fan base and sponsors can be.
As for fatigue; modern day athletes have the press more present in their lives than we feel during a colonoscopy. That involves a camera, too but doesn't come with constant analysis by people Tadej will never meet nor care about but feel compelled to doubt his commitment. Merckx and his companions didn't know this level of scrutiny and pressure.

 

[Oldman]

I thought he would be more assertive when it comes to his legacy and career goals than this.

Saying out loud he will set his own agenda is as assertive as it gets, no?

 

[Moose McKnuckles]

The comments on here are exactly the reason why Pog should do his own thing and ignore the keyboard warriors.

 

[HashRouge]

I think it's likely he won't win Vuelta in his career. The greats have a maximum 8 year window in which to achieve their biggest wins - and Pog is already in year 6

That seems like a slightly wild statement. He's not even 27 yet. You'd think he might have a few more years to have a go at the Vuelta...

 

[fenns]

That seems like a slightly wild statement. He's not even 27 yet. You'd think he might have a few more years to have a go at the Vuelta...

I don't think any of the multiple GT winners have won one outside of their 8 year window.

 

[HashRouge]

I don't think any of the multiple GT winners have won one outside of their 8 year window.

So? Who says you can only have an "eight year window"? Pog doesn't exactly follow the rules in lots of other ways, why should we expect him to conform to some imaginary time limit?