Teams & Riders Tadej Pogačar discussion thread

[Cycling111]

Talent my friend is very important. There are riders who don't need much to be good at altitude. Others really suffer there.

Those with talent also need to acclimatize. When the whole peloton is saying it, it's for something.

In fact, and judging by what Pogacar has said, the time trial seems to be a consequence of poor planning/lack of training with ITT Bike.

And what he said about feeling better is clearly because he did those two trainings at the altitude in Kigali, and it must have helped him feel better. We'll see if it's enough.

UAE wins by sheer talent accumulation and signing the best from other teams. But it's clear they're still doing a lot of things wrong.
The approach to the Vuelta was terrible; they won stages because the riders they have. Just look at the fact that Ayuso won two stages against Movistar riders, a guy signed to lead Lidl. But the way the general classification was approached. was a disaster.
That's the epitome of what they're all about: they win by having best riders, not by doing things right. With a mediocre squad, they'd have a lot of problems, like in 2019-2022, when Pogacar rescued the team from mediocrity. Then they started signing Almeida from QS after a 2021 great season, Ayuso, and all the junior talents like Morgado.

 

[Berniece]

Those with talent also need to acclimatize. When the whole peloton is saying it, it's for something.

I'm not how this is for Pogacar, but it's not something for everyone. Some people, genetically, don't have that many issues with altitude. Apparently Uijtdebroeks and Van Wilder are two riders who genetically barely lose any power at altitude. Others do and need altitude training to prepare.

I agree that Pogacar seems to fall in that second category after his ITT performance.

 

[Cycling111]

At least the decision to do the time trial was a good one because he's been at Kigali for a week.

 

[Peyroteo94]

Those with talent also need to acclimatize. When the whole peloton is saying it, it's for something.

In fact, and judging by what Pogacar has said, the time trial seems to be a consequence of poor planning/lack of training with ITT Bike.

And what he said about feeling better is clearly because he did those two trainings at the altitude in Kigali, and it must have helped him feel better. We'll see if it's enough.

UAE wins by sheer talent accumulation and signing the best from other teams. But it's clear they're still doing a lot of things wrong.
The approach to the Vuelta was terrible; they won stages because the riders they have. Just look at the fact that Ayuso won two stages against Movistar riders, a guy signed to lead Lidl. But the way the general classification was approached. was a disaster.
That's the epitome of what they're all about: they win by having best riders, not by doing things right. With a mediocre squad, they'd have a lot of problems, like in 2019-2022, when Pogacar rescued the team from mediocrity. Then they started signing Almeida from QS after a 2021 great season, Ayuso, and all the junior talents like Morgado.

I never said the opposite. I think you are right but Pogacar is there since september 17th so he is acclimatized to this weather.

 

[Peyroteo94]

At least the decision to do the time trial was a good one because he's been at Kigali for a week.

Maybe this was the reason for him to do the TT after his sickness.

 

[Cycling111]

Maybe this was the reason for him to do the TT after his sickness.

I don't know. It all feels like poor preparation.
What he said about the time trial and getting back into the swing of things is because things weren't planned that way and something in trainning went wrong.
I'm not just talking about being sick, but about poor planning.

 

[rafa92]

Most interesting quote IMO. He doesn't feel comfortable in the TT bike.

Does that make it difficult to predict how you will feel?
"When I arrived here, my legs weren't at their best. Since I switched to the road bike, there have been no more problems. I'm accustomed to the conditions, and my legs are responding well."

"Since I switched, there have been no more problems": Tadej Pogacar speaks out ahead of the World Championships

Tadej Pogacar celebrated his 27th birthday last Sunday, but there wasn't much for the Slovenian to celebrate. During the individual World Championship time trial in Kigali, he was overtaken just befor...

www.idlprocycling.com

he has already said many times through the years that he is not "naturally comfortable" on a TT bike and that he needs a lot of time and effort to adapt to the TT bike and perform a high level

 

[Lequack]

He won his first Tour with an ITT.

 

[CyclistAbi]

He is not used to Kigali, humidity and air quality specially. You don't have this in Europe.

Air quality will be better on Sunday and heat and humidity was a non issue in Tokyo. Plus Rogla kind of likes heat.

I for one am absolutely shocked Pogacar isn't exactly saying what he's gonna do

Actually, at least in term of Slovenian media, it's rather clear on what plan A is.

Pogacar is there now for almost 10 days. He's adjusted

I am sure he did and so did Rogla. Both IMHO are now well adjusted to altitude. Result hence likely to be a double altitude gain. We'll see.

 

[Peyroteo94]

Air quality will be better on Sunday and heat and humidity was a non issue in Tokyo. Plus Rogla kind of likes heat.



Actually, at least in term of Slovenian media, it's rather clear on what plan A is.



I am sure he did and so did Rogla. Both IMHO are now well adjusted to altitude. Result hence liekly to be a double altitude gain. We'll see.

Roglic was irrelevant in the RR...
I'm pretty sure acclimatization is more important for the RR. They will be on the saddle for six and half hours!

 

[CyclistAbi]

Roglic was irrelevant in the RR...

He wasn't there for RR, now he is.

 

[Peyroteo94]

He wasn't there for RR, now he is.

Don't tell me he was there just for the TT...

 

[CyclistAbi]

Don't tell me he was there just for the TT...

At one point of his career it made perfect sense for Rogla to try the hour record.

 

[Peyroteo94]

I don't know. It all feels like poor preparation.
What he said about the time trial and getting back into the swing of things is because things weren't planned that way and something in trainning went wrong.
I'm not just talking about being sick, but about poor planning.

He underestimated his rivals and course. I hope he prepares better next time if he wants to at least fight for the win.

 

[Cycling111]

He underestimated his rivals and course. I hope he prepares better next time if he wants to at least fight for the win.

No. The season he had was too demanding and he needed many weeks of rest.

He didn't underestimate the route. In fact, he says it's less hard than he thought.

 

[Cycling111]

There's hope. The fourth in the time trial has won the U23 road race 😅.

 

[Peyroteo94]

No. The season he had was too demanding and he needed many weeks of rest.

He didn't underestimate the route. In fact, he says it's less hard than he thought.

He wants to spend some quality time in Maldives with his lover. This is obvious.

 

[Berniece]

There's hope. The fourth in the time trial has won the U23 road race 😅.

Was he also humiliated and catched by the winner?

 

[HashRouge]

Was he also humiliated and catched by the winner?

I don't know how I feel about people constantly saying he was "humiliated". To me, that suggests there is something embarrassing about being caught by the best TT rider in the world. Mind you, I also didn't think that Vingegaard "humiliated" Remco at the Tour when he caught him on the stage 13 TT.

 

[Berniece]

I don't know how I feel about people constantly saying he was "humiliated". To me, that suggests there is something embarrassing about being caught by the best TT rider in the world. Mind you, I also didn't think that Vingegaard "humiliated" Remco at the Tour when he caught him on the stage 13 TT.

That was definitely humiliating to Evenepoel.

 

[Shortcut]

After seeing WC Montreal RR route i am now 100% sure Pogi will do Vuelta next year. Everybody was convinced they will be doing the same race as GP Montreal but this is much easier. With this Slovenian team i think Pogacar will have huge problem with MvDP and Mads.

 

[Peyroteo94]

After seeing WC Montreal RR route i am now 100% sure Pogi will do Vuelta next year. Everybody was convinced they will be doing the same race as GP Montreal but this is much easier. With this Slovenian team i think Pogacar will have huge problem with MvDP and Mads.

Do you have the route?

 

[YavorD]

Was he also humiliated and catched by the winner?

Now wait for this humiliation to give Evenepoel hope and confidence that he can beat Pogacar in 1 on 1 battle, making Belgium help Slovenia control the race....

 

[Peyroteo94]

Now wait for this humiliation to give Evenepoel hope and confidence that he can beat Pogacar in 1 on 1 battle, making Belgium help Slovenia control the race....

It's the best strategy IMO. Control the race with Slovenia without going too hard and then create chaos after Mount Kigali with multiple attacks to isolate Pogacar.
If they are expecting to leave the race control just to Slovenia, they are dumb. Even if you put Cian in the front, do you really think he can win?

 

[YavorD]

It's the best strategy IMO. Control the race with Slovenia without going too hard and then create chaos after Mount Kigali with multiple attacks to isolate Pogacar.
If they are expecting to leave the race control just to Slovenia, they are dumb. Even if you put Cian in the front, do you really think he can win?

It probably depends on who is present in his group.
The closer to the finish you wait to create chaos, the harder to beat Pogacar.
And if (and that's a big if, I know) Roglic drills Kigali, how many belgians do you think can survive? Cian, possibly.