Teams & Riders Tadej Pogačar discussion thread

[Valv.Piti]

So I guess he will have to gift Del Toro the Lombadria race instead.

Uhm, of course not. Lombardia's is Pog's best race and he can continue his streak there.

 

[James M]

If he does win it maybe some folks on the Remco thread will figure out why he doesn't feel the need to pile on minutes when he has 75km to go. He's in a rare zone of strategic dominance that is more than just pounding everyone. He's got other competitors so reluctant to risk blowing up they just give up. This happened in the Giro last year, too. Geraint Thomas wouldn't even shrug, let alone get out of the saddle when Tadej passed him. It's not just this year.

If they still needs it explained why Pog is fresher than the others at the end, that its obv because he's relatively not pushing as hard and simply controlling the gap when its that big— the incentive and burden clearly fall on the others to push and close it. If thats not clear by now I wouldn't hold my breath at this point.

At the end of the day hes a special rider on his own but Remco isn't even a rival to Pogacar in any way shape or form atm. It is indeed tedious.

 

[Peyroteo94]

I imagine WVA will be at MSR next year too.

WVA will be a challenge too.

 

[Lequack]

Where are Wout and MVDP? It seems like they disappeared from the face of the Earth at the end of the season. And they can both challenge Pog.

 

[Peyroteo94]

If they still needs it explained why Pog is fresher than the others at the end, that its obv because he's relatively not pushing as hard and simply controlling the gap when its that big— the incentive and burden clearly fall on the others to push and close it. I wouldn't hold my breath at this point.

At the end of the day hes a special rider on his own but Remco isn't even a rival to Pogacar in any way shape or form atm. It is indeed tedious.

Indeed, Pogacar vs Remco is really not a rivalry. It's the modern Serena vs Sharapova for those who like tennis.

 

[Krzysztof_O]

Where are Wout and MVDP? It seems like they disappeared from the face of the Earth at the end of the season. And they can both challenge Pog.

Where exactly can they challenge Pog at the end of the season? According to MVP "Pogacar on his terrain does whatever he wants"

 

[Lequack]

Today for example. These are not huge climbs that Wout or MVDP couldn't challenge. I mean MVDP won Glasgow world champs on a much lumpier profile.

 

[Krzysztof_O]

Today for example. These are not huge climbs that Wout or MVDP couldn't challenge. I mean MVDP won Glasgow world champs on a much lumpier profile.

It's a minor race not worth preparing for. WC, EC or Lombardy were not realistic goals for them.
BTW, Glasgow had those micro hills 30-60 seconds long. Today was different

 

[James M]

Mathieu van der Poel speaks about Pogacar in an interview. Big respect of one great towards another:

On comparison with Merckx:

It is really impressive, and it looks so easy. I have said it before, the new Merckx might not be the right comparison, because his name is Pogacar, but for us it must feel a bit like it did when Merckx was racing. On his terrain, Pogacar can do whatever he wants.

On San Remo and Roubaix victories:

That was on my terrain, and even then it was close. On his terrain I am no threat to him. It does give extra motivation to be ready again next spring. If you can follow Pogacar and beat him, you are close to victory

"On his terrain, Pogacar can do whatever he wants" - Mathieu van der Poel on World Championships, van Aert, rest and Eddy Merckx comparisons

Mathieu van der Poel is perhaps the only rider in the pro peloton that managed to match and beat Tadej Pogacar in a race (two in this case: Milano-Sanremo and Paris-Roubaix) where the Slovenian put hi...

cyclinguptodate.com

He's an absolute all-time great in his own turf, and summarized it perfectly, it's this simple. MvdP is a real one. I really hope he stays at the absolute top level longer than I personally think. This MSR, RVV, and PR were absolute cinema.

 

[Krzysztof_O]

He's an absolute all-time great in his own turf, and summarized it perfectly, it's this simple. MvdP is a real one. I really hope he stays at the absolute top level longer than I personally think. This MSR, RVV, and PR were absolute cinema.

Nowadays MVP is the only guy who can beat Pogacar in races the Slovenian targets and prepares for. If not for him this year would be too boring!

 

[hayneplane]

Mathieu van der Poel speaks about Pogacar in an interview. Big respect of one great towards another:

On comparison with Merckx:

It is really impressive, and it looks so easy. I have said it before, the new Merckx might not be the right comparison, because his name is Pogacar, but for us it must feel a bit like it did when Merckx was racing. On his terrain, Pogacar can do whatever he wants.

On San Remo and Roubaix victories:

That was on my terrain, and even then it was close. On his terrain I am no threat to him. It does give extra motivation to be ready again next spring. If you can follow Pogacar and beat him, you are close to victory

"On his terrain, Pogacar can do whatever he wants" - Mathieu van der Poel on World Championships, van Aert, rest and Eddy Merckx comparisons

Mathieu van der Poel is perhaps the only rider in the pro peloton that managed to match and beat Tadej Pogacar in a race (two in this case: Milano-Sanremo and Paris-Roubaix) where the Slovenian put hi...

cyclinguptodate.com

Game respects game. It has always been a very friendly and respectful rivalry between the pair.

 

[hayneplane]

I imagine WVA will be at MSR next year too.

He should do. Far better chance of sticking with Pog on Cipressa than the final time up Oude Kwaremont.

 

[Cycling111]

Slovenia jersey >>>>>>>>> UAE jersey

Does the UAE one meet the regulations? The stripes seem narrower.

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[pihi42]

This looked like a post Tour/something criterium. Looking at Pogi.
Then the camera switched to the peloton and it looked like 2015 WC RR.

 

[Peyroteo94]

This looked like a post Tour/something criterium. Looking at Pogi.
Then the camera switched to the peloton and it looked like 2015 WC RR.

Pogacar was in recovery mode. The big fish is on Saturday.

 

[pihi42]

Pogacar was in recovery mode. The big fish is on Saturday.

Is it possible that .. I mean .. the motorcade was well organised.
And who was the guy trying to high-five in the middle of the road, after the finish line, but Pogi just ignored him?
Is this all .. ah, nevermind.

 

[pihi42]

I have no idea if they do or not. I dont know a single fan of pole vaulting.

Looks like pole vaulting has it's own stars and fans.

Maybe that's what cycling is missing?

 

[Eddy Evenepoel]

Looks like pole vaulting has it's own stars and fans.

Maybe that's what cycling is missing?

Andrea Piccolo

 

[Peyroteo94]

He beated his best season in PCS points. He will almost reach 5000 points with a GdL win.

 

[Lorzenz08]

He beated his best season in PCS points. He will almost reach 5000 points with a GdL win.

If he wins GdL, best classic season of all time, and among the best overall season of all time

 

[hayneplane]

If he wins GdL, best classic season of all time, and among the best overall season of all time

If he wins it will be back to back 5000+ points CQ Ranking seasons when nobody else has ever exceeded 3300 points in a ranking that dates back to 1999.

 

[Oldman]

If they still needs it explained why Pog is fresher than the others at the end, that its obv because he's relatively not pushing as hard and simply controlling the gap when its that big— the incentive and burden clearly fall on the others to push and close it. If thats not clear by now I wouldn't hold my breath at this point.

At the end of the day hes a special rider on his own but Remco isn't even a rival to Pogacar in any way shape or form atm. It is indeed tedious.

Remco has his WCTT, OCTT and RR and many other serious victories. Pogacar has had some good fortune meeting him on venues that suit Tadej over pretty much all riders. Remco will beat him in the future but GTs will not be the opportunity unless he really wants to dedicate to it. Several here, including me hope that he doesn't wreck a career trying to appease a fan base.

 

[No Excuses]

Pogman eats them all again.

 

[Shortcut]

Remco has his WCTT, OCTT and RR and many other serious victories. Pogacar has had some good fortune meeting him on venues that suit Tadej over pretty much all riders. Remco will beat him in the future but GTs will not be the opportunity unless he really wants to dedicate to it. Several here, including me hope that he doesn't wreck a career trying to appease a fan base.

He won all big RR (Vuelta,LBL 2X, OGRR) except WC when Pogacar was out. It is reasonable to think that Pogacar wouls win at least 3 of those races if not all 4) so don't start with "Pogacar has had some good fortune...". Tell me one RR where Remco would be favourite over Pogacar, just one?

 

[peterfin]

He won all big RR (Vuelta,LBL 2X, OGRR) except WC when Pogacar was out. It is reasonable to think that Pogacar wouls win at least 3 of those races if not all 4) so don't start with "Pogacar has had some good fortune...". Tell me one RR where Remco would be favourite over Pogacar, just one?

MSR. The race and climbs are not hard enough so Remco could benefit from his TT skills in the final and Pogacar has not the benefit of his exceptional recovery vs the field. We have seen that MSR is difficult for Pogacar. I give Remco more chances to win.