Teams & Riders Tadej Pogačar discussion thread

[Shortcut]

For me this is the main question. If you are saying he wouldn't win so much if he had a severe crash. This is obviously true.
However other "aliens" would be able to beat Pogacar if they didn't crash? I don't think so.
There is other question important to do. What if Pogacar didn't focus his season on winning everything and targetted just GTs or classics? Would the gap be the same or bigger?

You know, looking at last year, I’d say he really focused on stage races by skipping Flanders and Paris-Roubaix. But your question is quite interesting, because if it were about any other rider, I’d logically say the gap to the others would be even bigger. With Tadej, though, I think that oversaturation from easy wins and too big of an advantage could quickly turn into a negative. In my opinion, the classics,especially the monuments, actually help him in stressful stage races because he reads and handles race stress better, and he’s better at recognizing his limits and masking them compared to others.
Still, I’d really like to see, on one hand, what a season would look like if he mostly focused on the missing stage races—something like a schedule of MSR, Basque Country, LBL, Romandie, Suisse, TdF, Vuelta, and Lombardia. That would be very easy to plan. On the other hand, I find him most interesting in the cobbled races.

 

[jotafap]

You know, looking at last year, I’d say he really focused on stage races by skipping Flanders and Paris-Roubaix. But your question is quite interesting, because if it were about any other rider, I’d logically say the gap to the others would be even bigger. With Tadej, though, I think that oversaturation from easy wins and too big of an advantage could quickly turn into a negative. In my opinion, the classics,especially the monuments, actually help him in stressful stage races because he reads and handles race stress better, and he’s better at recognizing his limits and masking them compared to others.
Still, I’d really like to see, on one hand, what a season would look like if he mostly focused on the missing stage races—something like a schedule of MSR, Basque Country, LBL, Romandie, Suisse, TdF, Vuelta, and Lombardia. That would be very easy to plan. On the other hand, I find him most interesting in the cobbled races.

I understand your point, but that calendar seems like an easy way for him to want to retire even earlier. We all know he would easily win all of them except maybe MSR, which might be too boring for him right now.

 

[Peyroteo94]

You know, looking at last year, I’d say he really focused on stage races by skipping Flanders and Paris-Roubaix. But your question is quite interesting, because if it were about any other rider, I’d logically say the gap to the others would be even bigger. With Tadej, though, I think that oversaturation from easy wins and too big of an advantage could quickly turn into a negative. In my opinion, the classics,especially the monuments, actually help him in stressful stage races because he reads and handles race stress better, and he’s better at recognizing his limits and masking them compared to others.
Still, I’d really like to see, on one hand, what a season would look like if he mostly focused on the missing stage races—something like a schedule of MSR, Basque Country, LBL, Romandie, Suisse, TdF, Vuelta, and Lombardia. That would be very easy to plan. On the other hand, I find him most interesting in the cobbled races.

He is unbeatable in stage races right now. There is not a single stage race where I think he would lose for any other rider.

 

[Peyroteo94]

In fact I think the Tour is where Pogacar is more "beatable" (stage racing) right now due to crashes, etc.

 

[AmRacer]

In fact I think the Tour is where Pogacar is more "beatable" (stage racing) right now due to crashes, etc.

Who will beat him? Matteo at stage 22?

 

[Peyroteo94]

Who will beat him? Matteo at stage 22?

You understood what I said.

 

[Unchained]

Dude u completely drifted away from my whole comment. I said less severe crashes i dont want u to put itzulia or philipsons crash in this category. The better bike handler u are the better u react to certain crashes. Its more about the feel u get on the bike not that u can teach someone

If I am coming off as in disagreement with you, my error. I agree with you.
And I do think, as always , that bike handling is paramount.
My personal opinion is race days and peloton time can't be duplicated in typical training.. So over simplified, if you don't race much or in diverse schedule you still can be a good bike handler, avoid routine crashes, but best scenario is to get your comfort zone in race environments. Pogacar makes many mistakes and majority he has paid little to no serious price for.. I also come from the school.. It's better to be lucky than good.. I am not either.. Pogacar is currently both!!
I watch in amazement month after month, years now!!
I think organically his decision not to challenge the Vuelta field will only strengthen UAE overall and make his fortification for next season even stronger.
Watching soldiers getting stronger like Jan Christen, Antonio Morgado and Isaac Del Toro to start is really positive.
UAE ignoring traditional tactics, they are almost completely ignoring developing, signing traditional sprinters, they show up to few races with a strictly sprinting strategy looks to be paying dividends everywhere you look..

 

[Unchained]

You are 100% right. The amount of luck Pogacar has had with all the crashes and accidents is truly incredible. Even when he broke a bone in his wrist at LBL 2023. I don’t think he would have won that Tour de France even if he had been healthy, because in my opinion, Jonas was at his absolute peak at the time. The crash itself was quite serious (at 70 km/h), and a broken wrist bone is a minor injury considering the situation.
Fans generally forget all the circumstances very quickly and only look at the results. For example, if Tadej had suffered the same injuries that Jonas, Remco, or Roglic had over the past two years, he would probably have two fewer Tours and maybe a couple fewer Monuments as well.
He’s also been very lucky with the “G2 syndrome,” which almost always works in his favor – the best example being the World Championships in Zurich. Similarly, he’s lucky that when he decides to attack just enough to form a lead group, the others cooperate.
In short, everything has fallen into place for him over the past two years, and an abnormal amount of luck plays a huge role. Fans completely forget about this, but I think Tadej is very aware of it and is quite careful with the way he talks about these things.

I am partially pessimistic that if you keep spinning the racing roulette wheel more often, sooner or later instead of coming up on a winner, your spin results in an injury.. If Pogacar were a professional gambler he would be banned from majority of casinos with his winning percentage!! I like witnessing it.. Just history says it's not sustainable.. Greg LeMond probably called Pog and warned of any hunting trips with friends and family!!

 

[Unchained]

You know, looking at last year, I’d say he really focused on stage races by skipping Flanders and Paris-Roubaix. But your question is quite interesting, because if it were about any other rider, I’d logically say the gap to the others would be even bigger. With Tadej, though, I think that oversaturation from easy wins and too big of an advantage could quickly turn into a negative. In my opinion, the classics,especially the monuments, actually help him in stressful stage races because he reads and handles race stress better, and he’s better at recognizing his limits and masking them compared to others.
Still, I’d really like to see, on one hand, what a season would look like if he mostly focused on the missing stage races—something like a schedule of MSR, Basque Country, LBL, Romandie, Suisse, TdF, Vuelta, and Lombardia. That would be very easy to plan. On the other hand, I find him most interesting in the cobbled races.

I stray from the opinion joafap, for now Pogacar is prevailing, performing at top level in stage races but rather than turn over Pogacar's hourglass that his time is limited or running out, with what he is doing in a few years he might be able to compete in no stage races or pick 1 week or less and still be the best, certainly be able to contest worlds every year, Olympics, classics.. If he takes away stresses of 3 week tests he might lose something, but he might also gain something and extend his career for many years.. This year he came off as fully baked from a TDF only schedule. Can only imagine if Tadej was to go Vuelta focused and race really hard Spring ,early summer and pick Spain as only long stage race..Can't imagine what it would look like if he was all out saving nothing for July.. Like I said before, I think that Pogacar even causal or joking about possible retirement is counter productive

 

[scribers]

A secret to his success in avoiding crashes is peloton placement. Which points to physical strength. He can do the small sprints to places that add up over the race, day to day.

 

[Peyroteo94]

A secret to his success in avoiding crashes is peloton placement. Which points to physical strength. He can do the small sprints to places that add up over the race, day to day.

Without a doubt. His biggest strenght is how he "recycles" lactate. RVV is a perfect example of that.

 

[hayneplane]

Both.
However, I have zero doubts Remco/Roglic/Vingegaard without major crashes wouldn't have 1/3 of Pogacar's palmares.

Interesting question.

Current palmares comp

Pogacar
3X TDF
1X Giro
2x TDF Runner Up
1X Vuelta 3rd

1X WCRR
1x WCRR 3rd
1x OGRR 3rd

4x GDL
3x LBL
2x RVV
3x other non win monument podiums

Vingegaard+Roglic+Remco
2x TDF
1x Giro
5x Vuelta
4x TDF Runner Up
1x Giro 3rd
1x Vuelta Runner Up
1x Vuelta 3rd

2x OGTT
1x OGRR
1xWCRR
2x WCTT

3x LBL

You could add the big 7 week long stages races and the other world tour level one day classics but it would take too long.

 

[hayneplane]

Who will beat him? Matteo at stage 22?

Puck Pieterse could beat them all there 🍺

 

[Peyroteo94]

Interesting question.

Current palmares comp

Pogacar
3X TDF
1X Giro
2x TDF Runner Up
1X Vuelta 3rd

1X WCRR
1x WCRR 3rd
1x OGRR 3rd

4x GDL
3x LBL
2x RVV
3x other non win monument podiums

Vingegaard+Roglic+Remco
2x TDF
1x Giro
5x Vuelta
4x TDF Runner Up
1x Giro 3rd
1x Vuelta Runner Up
1x Vuelta 3rd

2x OGTT
1x OGRR
1xWCRR
2x WCTT

3x LBL

You could add the big 7 week long stages races and the other world tour level one day classics but it would take too long.

Similar palmares. More monuments for Pogacar, less WC/OC titles. More TdF wins (4 not 3), less GT wins.

 

[hayneplane]

Similar palmares. More monuments for Pogacar, less WC/OC titles. More TdF wins (4 not 3), less GT wins.

Yes very similar overall but in 7 seasons compared to a collective of roughly 22 seasons.

 

[Peyroteo94]

Yes very similar overall but in 7 seasons compared to a collective of roughly 22 seasons.

And you added TTs which I think those are not big wins.

 

[Jan the Man]

And you added TTs which I think those are not big wins.

I disagree - world and Olympic TTs are clearly big wins. Obviously not as big as their road race equivalent (Worlds RR being the biggest one day win imo) and I'd rank below a monument - but still worthy of inclusion

 

[Peyroteo94]

I disagree - world and Olympic TTs are clearly big wins. Obviously not as big as their road race equivalent (Worlds RR being the biggest one day win imo) and I'd rank below a monument - but still worthy of inclusion

I already said multiple times, most recent users don't know Michael Rogers and he was the record holder until Cancellara beat him

 

[hayneplane]

And you added TTs which I think those are not big wins.

I think the wins are but did not count the podiums as I don’t think they add to the palmares anything like as much as podiums in road races.

 

[Peyroteo94]

I think the wins are but did not count the podiums as I don’t think they add to the palmares anything like as much as podiums in road races.

I think they are only when you win alongside the RR. What Remco did for example.

 

[Peyroteo94]

Don't know how this is even a debate

Tour de France Femmes winner Pauline Ferrand-Prévot taking home 10 times less prize money than Tadej Pogačar is the wrong comparison to make, says race director

Marion Rousse explains prize money differences between men's and women's Tour as ASO reveals which teams won what at the 2025 race

www.cyclingnews.com

 

[Cycling111]

Cycling thrives on history. The problem with time trials is that there wasn't a World Time Trial until the 1990s. So none of the historic riders have a ITT World Championship. There was the Chrono des Nations . Anquetil won nine, if I recall correctly. But outside of France it wasn't given as much importance and Eddy and others were more interested in the road world championship, the only world championship that existed and awarded the rainbow jersey.

The same thing happens with the Olympic Games. It was an amateur category until 90s, so Meckx and others could only compete as U23s and weren't fully professional. Merckx competed in them at 19; those over 23 couldn't go to the Olympics, so they weren't considered an important cycling event either.

I was surprised that Pogacar is now talking about Los Angeles 2028. Last year he said that the Olympics in cycling have no history, which is quite true.

Obviously he didn't go because of Urska. Because we already saw in the Tour that with 130 more kilometers he could have won, especially with his 2024 shape.
Remco should be very grateful to the Slovenian women's national team coach 😅; he took out his biggest rival.

I'm still surprised that Pogacar is saying this now. I haven't been to Los Angeles, but if the finish is in the city, there are a lot of flat kilometers, right? It could be for sprinters.

 

[James M]

I was surprised that Pogacar is now talking about Los Angeles 2028. Last year he said that the Olympics in cycling have no history, which is quite true.

Isnt it obvious. He constantly looks for new challenges to keep himself motivated. What drives him seems to me to be the things he hasnt done yet, cause he can view it as a challenge. That is the sole reason why I believe he'll smash the WC TT this year, like we previously discussed (nvm time will tell on that one).

Theres no big historical precedent for OL in cycling, thats just true, but to me, its simply that he's triggered by the things he hasn’t achieved yet. And every year, that list gets shorter.

 

[The bald fraud]

Cycling thrives on history. The problem with time trials is that there wasn't a World Time Trial until the 1990s. So none of the historic riders have a ITT World Championship. There was the Chrono des Nations . Anquetil won nine, if I recall correctly. But outside of France it wasn't given as much importance and Eddy and others were more interested in the road world championship, the only world championship that existed and awarded the rainbow jersey.

The same thing happens with the Olympic Games. It was an amateur category until 90s, so Meckx and others could only compete as U23s and weren't fully professional. Merckx competed in them at 19; those over 23 couldn't go to the Olympics, so they weren't considered an important cycling event either.

I was surprised that Pogacar is now talking about Los Angeles 2028. Last year he said that the Olympics in cycling have no history, which is quite true.

Obviously he didn't go because of Urska. Because we already saw in the Tour that with 130 more kilometers he could have won, especially with his 2024 shape.
Remco should be very grateful to the Slovenian women's national team coach 😅; he took out his biggest rival.

I'm still surprised that Pogacar is saying this now. I haven't been to Los Angeles, but if the finish is in the city, there are a lot of flat kilometers, right? It could be for sprinters.

Pogacar clearly indicated that Los Angeles Olympics are his goal. Olympic gold is still missing in his palmares - he clearly wants to win it.

Road race in LA 2028 will finish on Venice Beach. That is all we know now. Maybe it will be for sprinters - though many of you would say Paris 2024 course was also for sprinters. Even if the final part in LA will surely be on flat, the organizers could (if they want to) put some quite difficult climbs around 15-20 kilometers from the finish (Santa Monica Mountains). Add to that the peleton will be reduced to 90 riders (max 4 riders per nation) and it is not hard to see a race where Pogacar goes 50-km solo and a reduced peleton of 30 riders (the number at the 50-km mark, then it is reduced further) cannot catch him.

 

[Peyroteo94]

Pogacar clearly indicated that Los Angeles Olympics are his goal. Olympic gold is still missing in his palmares - he clearly wants to win it.

Road race in LA 2028 will finish on Venice Beach. That is all we know now. Maybe it will be for sprinters - though many of you would say Paris 2024 course was also for sprinters. Even if the final part in LA will surely be on flat, the organizers could (if they want to) put some quite difficult climbs around 15-20 kilometers from the finish (Santa Monica Mountains). Add to that the peleton will be reduced to 90 riders (max 4 riders per nation) and it is not hard to see a race where Pogacar goes 50-km solo and a reduced peleton of 30 riders (the number at the 50-km mark, then it is reduced further) cannot catch him.

Los Angeles has good climbs? At least close to Venice beach.