Teams & Riders Tadej Pogačar discussion thread

[Salvarani]

Jan Christen looked really good in Strade Bianchi. Is he also doing mailand sanremo?

Not listed to do so atm.

His ride here in SB was probably the best I have seen him. His pull on Sante Marie was huge. Rode really well in the second group after that. I think it may be he his best performance so far. Pog was quick to thank him after the finish.

Very good start from him. See if he can continue to be consistent.

 

[Barkintheeye]

This year's Pog looks insanely strong. Seixas and Pidcock tried but to no avail. Many other solid riders looked like amateurs. Not only does Pog ride hard on the ascents but he smashes the others on the descents too. Will he make a clean sweep of all Monuments this year and be the first to do it?

 

[Jan the Man]

This year's Pog looks insanely strong. Seixas and Pidcock tried but to no avail. Many other solid riders looked like amateurs. Not only does Pog ride hard on the ascents but he smashes the others on the descents too. Will he make a clean sweep of all Monuments this year and be the first to do it?

Extremely unlikely. MvP is clear favourite for MSR and PR.

Ronde is the one where Pog and MvP are more evenly matched.

LBL and Lombardia, Pog is obviously the overwhelming favourite, but it is racing and anything can happen.

 

[The bald fraud]

According to PCS, Novak is riding MSR.

If McNulty and Politt are riding MSR, it can still be a good team. I do hope Christen is also there after his performance at Strade. Even without Wellens and Narvaez, it is still a solid squad to try and do damage on the Capi and Cipressa. Definitely not as good compared to if those two were there but still a nice squad. Just a matter getting those guys into a good position entering Cipressa.

I do not think Politt is riding MSR. He is a workhorse, but they do not need one in MSR. They need explosiveness and positioning. That is why the loss of Wellens and Narvaez is a huge blow for MSR as they excel in both.

Christen certainly did an excellent job on both of those aspects on Saturday and I will be surprised if he is not selected for MSR. Him and McNulty will be crucial for any chance of success in Cipressa. Unfortunately, Del Toro normally has difficulties with positioning (which was visible again in Strade), so I do not think they should count on him too much, but have a strong plan B regarding the leadout for Pogačar.

 

[Barkintheeye]

Extremely unlikely. MvP is clear favourite for MSR and PR.

Ronde is the one where Pog and MvP are more evenly matched.

LBL and Lombardia, Pog is obviously the overwhelming favourite, but it is racing and anything can happen.

I'm not as sure. Pog was close last year on both occasions. If he actually is stronger now is for later but it looks promising from his perspective. To be fair MVDP also have had a solid start winning his eight CX WC and Omloop.

 

[Krzysztof_O]

Extremely unlikely. MvP is clear favourite for MSR and PR.

Ronde is the one where Pog and MvP are more evenly matched.

LBL and Lombardia, Pog is obviously the overwhelming favourite, but it is racing and anything can happen.

It's true that MVP is #1 favourite in MSR and PR until proven otherwise (but Pog could be close this year). Flandres is the race where in theory they both should be the closest to each other. LBL and Lombardy are no contest: VdP has zero chance vs Pog.

 

[Jan the Man]

It's true that MVP is #1 favourite in MSR and PR until proven otherwise (but Pog could be close this year). Flandres is the race where in theory they both should be the closest to each other. LBL and Lombardy are no contest: VdP has zero chance vs Pog.

Yes agreed- i was not suggesting that MvP could challenge Pog in LBL or Lombardia his nearest challengers would obviously be Remco, Sexias etc in those hilly races

 

[hayneplane]

Extremely unlikely. MvP is clear favourite for MSR and PR.

Ronde is the one where Pog and MvP are more evenly matched.

LBL and Lombardia, Pog is obviously the overwhelming favourite, but it is racing and anything can happen.

I wouldn’t describe it as extremely unlikely. He is almost unbeatable in LBL and GDL barring crashes, heavy favourite in RVV and given he got a podium in both MSR and PR last year only a small swing in his favour in those races is needed.

It would be the most impressive achievement ever in cycling if he was to manage it. Way above Giro/Tour/WC triple crown considering the different skill sets needed.

 

[AmRacer]

I wouldn’t describe it as extremely unlikely. He is almost unbeatable in LBL and GDL barring crashes, heavy favourite in RVV and given he got a podium in both MSR and PR last year only a small swing in his favour in those races is needed.

It would be the most impressive achievement ever in cycling if he was to manage it. Way above Giro/Tour/WC triple crown considering the different skill sets needed.

5 monuments, Tour, WC and EC.

 

[canina82]

Extremely unlikely. MvP is clear favourite for MSR and PR.

Ronde is the one where Pog and MvP are more evenly matched.

LBL and Lombardia, Pog is obviously the overwhelming favourite, but it is racing and anything can happen.

I think they are more even in PR than RVV and this year we will have the confirmation.

 

[jono]

I wouldn’t describe it as extremely unlikely. He is almost unbeatable in LBL and GDL barring crashes, heavy favourite in RVV and given he got a podium in both MSR and PR last year only a small swing in his favour in those races is needed.

It would be the most impressive achievement ever in cycling if he was to manage it. Way above Giro/Tour/WC triple crown considering the different skill sets needed.

For me, Pogacar beating MVDP in Roubaix is equally likely to the inverse result in Flanders.

 

[canina82]

he did not harm is chances of riding if he was a maybe. Looked strong and helped make the selection.

Pog
del Torro
Christen
McNulty
Vermeersch
Pollitt
?

Oliveira and Novak will be there IMO.

 

[Red Lobster]

It's true that MVP is #1 favourite in MSR and PR until proven otherwise (but Pog could be close this year). Flandres is the race where in theory they both should be the closest to each other. LBL and Lombardy are no contest: VdP has zero chance vs Pog.

It's kind of stunning to think MVP is our last and sole line of defense against Pogacar domination of the monuments. God forbid MVP gets hurt or something - hard to imagine anyone else going toe-to-toe.

 

[Krzysztof_O]

It's kind of stunning to think MVP is our last and sole line of defense against Pogacar domination of the monuments. God forbid MVP gets hurt or something - hard to imagine anyone else going toe-to-toe.

Last year it would've been all monuments + WC + Tour.

 

[James M]

For me, Pogacar beating MVDP in Roubaix is equally likely to the inverse result in Flanders.

To me not really and you know I rate MvdP as highly as possible. I just stopped getting surprised by Poggo hes still improving too. We also have to remember he raced his first PR last year and wasnt particularly well‑prepared either.

I think its more likely he beats him in PR than MvdP beats him in RVV. Mvdp is favorite sure just wouldnt surprise me at all if Pog wins PR this year. MSR tho I cant see him beat MvdP without mishaps.

 

[AmRacer]

It's kind of stunning to think MVP is our last and sole line of defense against Pogacar domination of the monuments. God forbid MVP gets hurt or something - hard to imagine anyone else going toe-to-toe.

It is just the best validation for how good Mathieu really is.

 

[canina82]

How reliable are these sources of Velon? Sounds a little bit crazy this increase in performance. 40 watts is a huge improvement even if he is 3 kg heavier.

340 watts for a 65 kg rider = 5,23 w/kg
380 watts for a 68 kg rider = 5,59 w/kg
And I don't think Pogacar is 68 kg (probably 67 kg and this would mean a 5,67 w/kg performance for 2 hours).

 

[Red Lobster]

It is just the best validation for how good Mathieu really is.

For sure. Anyone who can get into the ring with Pogacar and prevail (or even put up something resembling a fight) has incredible class. MVP is an absolute unit.

 

[rafa92]

How reliable are these sources of Velon? Sounds a little bit crazy this increase in performance. 40 watts is a huge improvement even if he is 3 kg heavier.

340 watts for a 65 kg rider = 5,23 w/kg
380 watts for a 68 kg rider = 5,59 w/kg
And I don't think Pogacar is 68 kg (probably 67 kg and this would mean a 5,67 w/kg performance for 2 hours).

I think they are pretty reliable, they are based on the power meter of pogacar. Keep in mind in 2025 he crashed and he was not going solo so he did not push at the same intensity, simply because he was taking turns with pidcock on the flat. So it's not a fair comparison (last year he could have pushed more). Plus he has very likely improved a bit. It's very unlikely he is 68 kg, 66-67 is more likely

 

[canina82]

I think they are pretty reliable, they are based on the power meter of pogacar. Keep in mind in 2025 he crashed and he was not going solo so he did not push at the same intensity, simply because he was taking turns with pidcock on the flat. So it's not a fair comparison (last year he could have pushed more). Plus he has very likely improved a bit. It's very unlikely he is 68 kg, 66-67 is more likely

This is why I used 2024 as an example. He also pushed 340 w during 80 kms.

 

[rafa92]

This is why I used 2024 as an example. He also pushed 340 w during 80 kms.

well that's 2 years ago, the jump in performance since then is probably important, plus the level of the competition was clearly higher in 2026 than in 2024, he has to adjust to that. Also for 2024 the weight factor is higher imo. In 2025-2026 he seemed similar, in 2024 he was clearly lighter, probably 2-2.5 kg

 

[James M]

"Stronger than ever..." - UAE not only dominate competition but cast warning over Tadej Pogacar's evolution

It comes to the surprise of no-one that UAE Team Emirates - XRG dominated the 2026 Strade Bianche, matching last year's first and third place with Tadej Pogacar and Isaac del Toro. However, it was a n...

cyclinguptodate.com

 

[canina82]

well that's 2 years ago, the jump in performance since then is probably important, plus the level of the competition was clearly higher in 2026 than in 2024, he has to adjust to that. Also for 2024 the weight factor is higher imo. In 2025-2026 he seemed similar, in 2024 he was clearly lighter, probably 2-2.5 kg

Did you read my post? I said he was lighter (65 kg) compared to 2026 (67 or 68 kg).

 

[rafa92]

Did you read my post? I said he was lighter (65 kg) compared to 2026 (67 or 68 kg).

yes, that's one of the factors, if you add the other 2 (his improvement and better competition) you can explain the difference in watts

 

[canina82]

yes, that's one of the factors, if you add the other 2 (his improvement and better competition) you can explain the difference in watts

The difference is massive, that's my point.
40 watts is a huge difference like I said in my post.