Teams & Riders Tadej Pogačar discussion thread

[Red Rick]

Nah, he just shouldn't crash and would win Dauphine, Tour, LBL and Vuelta in two months . Annoying thing is crashing without doing anything wrong (mechanical error).

Back on Pogacar. Maybe Pogi will be the greatest classics rider and not GT?

In my opinion, his best performance was in RVV when he rode his tempo on the last hill and turned MvdP into tomato for a moment. My only hope is that losing Tour this year doesn't make him focus only on that and putting one day races a side.

There's not that much cost for the TdF to riding De Ronde and MSR. I think his schedule this year is a very good blueprint long term. The real question is if you double Tour/Vuelta or focus more on Lombardia. And if Pog finds he just isn't built for Tour/Vuelta then he shouldn't really do that.

Maybe he wants to set the GT record, but he sure as hell isn't acting like it. And I don't really believe in chasing Merckx' meme era records anyway.

I'm a bit sceptical about the repeatability of his RvV performance because of MvdPs poor prep and WvAs absence. But if I would change anything about Pogs seasonal planning it would probably be go less hard in UAE/Tirreno

 

[tobydawq]

Easily the 2nd best season of the entire peloton

Well, obviously.

 

[tobydawq]

There's not that much cost for the TdF to riding De Ronde and MSR. I think his schedule this year is a very good blueprint long term. The real question is if you double Tour/Vuelta or focus more on Lombardia. And if Pog finds he just isn't built for Tour/Vuelta then he shouldn't really do that.

Maybe he wants to set the GT record, but he sure as hell isn't acting like it. And I don't really believe in chasing Merckx' meme era records anyway.

I'm a bit sceptical about the repeatability of his RvV performance because of MvdPs poor prep and WvAs absence. But if I would change anything about Pogs seasonal planning it would probably be go less hard in UAE/Tirreno

"Meme era", lol. Very respectful.

But yes, it was easier to win 33 major races back then than now.

 

[Offline]

Top seasons — CQranking pts (2000-2022)

1. 3656—Pogacar 2021
2. 3398—Pogacar 2022
3. 3307—P.Sagan 2016
4. 3235—Roglic 2019
5. 3212—Evenepoel 2022
6. 3180—Gilbert 2011
7. 3152—Valverde 2014
8. 3118—J.Rodriguez 2012
9. 3022—Roglic 2020
10. 2976—Valverde 2015

 

[hayneplane]

There's not that much cost for the TdF to riding De Ronde and MSR. I think his schedule this year is a very good blueprint long term. The real question is if you double Tour/Vuelta or focus more on Lombardia. And if Pog finds he just isn't built for Tour/Vuelta then he shouldn't really do that.

Maybe he wants to set the GT record, but he sure as hell isn't acting like it. And I don't really believe in chasing Merckx' meme era records anyway.

I'm a bit sceptical about the repeatability of his RvV performance because of MvdPs poor prep and WvAs absence. But if I would change anything about Pogs seasonal planning it would probably be go less hard in UAE/Tirreno

I think actually Wout being there would help Pogacar as Wout and Mathieu are often too focused on each other allowing others to slip away while they stare each other down. A 3 up sprint is also a more slippery dynamic too.

 

[Krzysztof_O]

There's not that much cost for the TdF to riding De Ronde and MSR. I think his schedule this year is a very good blueprint long term. The real question is if you double Tour/Vuelta or focus more on Lombardia. And if Pog finds he just isn't built for Tour/Vuelta then he shouldn't really do that.

Maybe he wants to set the GT record, but he sure as hell isn't acting like it. And I don't really believe in chasing Merckx' meme era records anyway.

I'm a bit sceptical about the repeatability of his RvV performance because of MvdPs poor prep and WvAs absence. But if I would change anything about Pogs seasonal planning it would probably be go less hard in UAE/Tirreno

I agree that this year was a good balance between stage races and classics. As for RvV, he's definitely able to be one of favourites for years to come but victory will be difficult for a simple reason - he was in amazing form this year (TdF form in the spring) and still didn't win it (the same regarding MSR).

 

[Mayomaniac]

I think after Lombardia I can once again say that they should take Formolo to the Tour. He's friends with Pogacar and his biggest strengths, endurance and being able to ride hard for a long time when the race explodes far from the finish, match the formers strengths perfectly.
When he did his final pull only Mas and Landa were left on Pogacar's wheel. He was also crucial and super strong on 2 of his most impressive rides last year, the hilly Tirreno stage and Le Grand Bornard at the Tour. I think as a domestique he adds more than a Mas or a Hirschi.

 

[Offline]

I think after Lombardia I can once again say that they should take Formolo to the Tour. He's friends with Pogacar and his biggest strengths, endurance and being able to ride hard for a long time when the race explodes far from the finish, match the formers strengths perfectly.
When he did his final pull only Mas and Landa were left on Pogacar's wheel. He was also crucial and super strong on 2 of his most impressive rides last year, the hilly Tirreno stage and Le Grand Bornard at the Tour. I think as a domestique he adds more than a Mas or a Hirschi.

Without knowing anything of the 23 route. I would still say it's pretty clear what's the strongest team around Pogacar. And I agree Formolo need to be in the lineup.

 

[Offline]

Yates, Majka for the mountains. Yates best in first part and Majka in last part.
McNulty, Formolo and Soler for a bit of everything.
Bjerg and Trentin for the flats and Trentin as road captain.

 

[pink_jersey]

Or maybe Hirschi replacing Soler if Hirschi finds his 2020 legs. Also, maybe Wellens instead of Trentin.

Nvm, just hope that Pogi will not change anything in his schedule for next year. Just imagine RVV with him, MVDP and WVA. Also, LBL battle with Alaphilippe

 

[hayneplane]

Or maybe Hirschi replacing Soler if Hirschi finds his 2020 legs. Also, maybe Wellens instead of Trentin.

Nvm, just hope that Pogi will not change anything in his schedule for next year. Just imagine RVV with him, MVDP and WVA. Also, LBL battle with Alaphilippe

Wouldn’t mind him being allowed to drop the UAE Tour given they have Adam Yates who can be relied to be on flying firm there and uphold team honour.

It might just give him an extra edge of freshness for MSR and the spring classics.

 

[Lequack]

GCN talked to Pogacars/UAE coach Dr Iñigo San Millán about some benefits of low intensity training, pretty interesting.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=at3MPoK53dU

 

[Tinnekeisabella]

I think after Lombardia I can once again say that they should take Formolo to the Tour. He's friends with Pogacar and his biggest strengths, endurance and being able to ride hard for a long time when the race explodes far from the finish, match the formers strengths perfectly.
When he did his final pull only Mas and Landa were left on Pogacar's wheel. He was also crucial and super strong on 2 of his most impressive rides last year, the hilly Tirreno stage and Le Grand Bornard at the Tour. I think as a domestique he adds more than a Mas or a Hirschi.

Fully agree! Formolo is often laughed at because of his dramatic facial expressions. But he is one loyal domestique who can give it his all.

Ok, on paper he is weaker that Hirschi and Soler for example, but when have we seen those guys do what Formolo does? Just totally giving himself for Tadej.

He is not confirmed for UAE yet for next year but I certainly hope they will keep him and upgrade his schedule again. He could def be a good help for Tadej in the Tour.

 

[Tinnekeisabella]

Or maybe Hirschi replacing Soler if Hirschi finds his 2020 legs. Also, maybe Wellens instead of Trentin.

Nvm, just hope that Pogi will not change anything in his schedule for next year. Just imagine RVV with him, MVDP and WVA. Also, LBL battle with Alaphilippe

No Soler for the tour in my opinion. He was just invisible and gives me the impression to still mainly want to go for his own changes. Which with Tadej in the team, none of them should.

Tour team should be in my opinion: Pogi, Majka, Formolo, Yates, Bjerg, Wellens/Trentin, mcnulty a,d maybe Ayuso/almeida if they are willing to go in the domistique role

And I indeed hope Tadej keeps his schedule more or less the same. He is so damn talented in the flemish classics that it would be sad to not see him there. His show at RVV this year was incredible.

 

[Ilmaestro99]

Fully agree! Formolo is often laughed at because of his dramatic facial expressions. But he is one loyal domestique who can give it his all.

Ok, on paper he is weaker that Hirschi and Soler for example, but when have we seen those guys do what Formolo does? Just totally giving himself for Tadej.

He is not confirmed for UAE yet for next year but I certainly hope they will keep him and upgrade his schedule again. He could def be a good help for Tadej in the Tour.

Formolo has a contract for next year, he signed a multi year deal to continue with the team after 2021

 

[Tinnekeisabella]

Formolo has a contract for next year, he signed a multi year deal to continue with the team after 2021

Ok that is good news! They never announced him staying last year either and procyclingstats only has him for 2021,

 

[Elos Anjos]

Pogacar's sucessful season puts a shadow on one of the worst team tactics I have ever seen on display (bar Movistar). UAE does not act like a team outside of Pogi's objectives. In all other races it is every man for himself. Hell, even Soler had his brain melting in the Tour.

 

[Tinnekeisabella]

Pogacar's sucessful season puts a shadow on one of the worst team tactics I have ever seen on display (bar Movistar). UAE does not act like a team outside of Pogi's objectives. In all other races it is every man for himself. Hell, even Soler had his brain melting in the Tour.

They are in desperate need of some good tactical DS’s for sure.

Even when Tadej is racing, he is often left to himself. Ok, at Lombardia they did a great job, but the tour….

I saw Tadej riding alone in the front of the peloton like 99% of the time during the first week.

It was almost a joke seeing him to try to hang himself on the jumbo train. Luckily his friends Mathieu and Jasper were nice enough for him to hang on the alpecin train.

Ok, there were injuries and sickness, but still…outside amazing days from Mcnulty and Bjerg they were nowhere to be seen.

 

[Lequack]

A very fine article today about Tadej, by the one and only Kate Wagner! Very suggested read.

The losses driving Tadej Pogačar

In the wake of the 2022 Tour de France, there’s a lot to ask Tadej Pogačar. And for once, he has quite a lot to say.

cyclingtips.com

“I got this amazing opportunity to be at the top of my sport,” he says. “I’m really grateful that I can do things that help others and give back. It feels like I need to do something, not just to sit on my sofa and enjoy the success because that’s not the point, because not everyone gets the same chances that I get.”
...
“For sure,” he answers. “When you win, it changes you. You get your confidence. But when you lose, sometimes you need that reality check … That was done to me this year. I know better what to do next year. I’m happy that I lost.”
..
“You’re a cyclist’s cyclist.”
“I know, a cyclist’s cyclist. We’re stubborn.”

https://twitter.com/x/status/1580018112757346305

View: https://twitter.com/derailleurkate/status/1580018112757346305

 

[Krzysztof_O]

A very fine article today about Tadej, by the one and only Kate Wagner! Very suggested read.

The losses driving Tadej Pogačar

In the wake of the 2022 Tour de France, there’s a lot to ask Tadej Pogačar. And for once, he has quite a lot to say.

cyclingtips.com

“I got this amazing opportunity to be at the top of my sport,” he says. “I’m really grateful that I can do things that help others and give back. It feels like I need to do something, not just to sit on my sofa and enjoy the success because that’s not the point, because not everyone gets the same chances that I get.”
...
“For sure,” he answers. “When you win, it changes you. You get your confidence. But when you lose, sometimes you need that reality check … That was done to me this year. I know better what to do next year. I’m happy that I lost.”
..
“You’re a cyclist’s cyclist.”
“I know, a cyclist’s cyclist. We’re stubborn.”

Good piece of reading. Till this Tour Pogacar won majority of big races when in form: the two previous Tours, monuments. It looked almost too easy. In the spring he looked unbeatable at times but Vingegaard took his aura of invincibility and we will see how Tadej responds next year. How motivated he will be to get the 3rd Tour title. Judging by his autumn races (3 one-day races won) the loss didn't discourage him, maybe the opposite.

 

[Lequack]

Interesting fashion at TDF2023 route presentation

 

[tobydawq]

Interesting fashion at TDF2023 route presentation

Once again, Vingegaard glimmers with his absence. That guy, honestly...

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

They are in desperate need of some good tactical DS’s for sure.

Even when Tadej is racing, he is often left to himself. Ok, at Lombardia they did a great job, but the tour….

I saw Tadej riding alone in the front of the peloton like 99% of the time during the first week.

It was almost a joke seeing him to try to hang himself on the jumbo train. Luckily his friends Mathieu and Jasper were nice enough for him to hang on the alpecin train.

Ok, there were injuries and sickness, but still…outside amazing days from Mcnulty and Bjerg they were nowhere to be seen.

He isn't without blame himself. The way he races also puts his team on the spot often and early. He knows their weaknesses but he can't wait to go toe to toe with Jumbo even when it's unnecessary.

 

[Jan the Man]

He isn't without blame himself. The way he races also puts his team on the spot often and early. He knows their weaknesses but he can't wait to go toe to toe with Jumbo even when it's unnecessary.

it’s refreshing to see someone race without the fear of failure. Compared to the orthodoxy we’ve seen the past decade.

 

[sir fly]

He isn't without blame himself. The way he races also puts his team on the spot often and early. He knows their weaknesses but he can't wait to go toe to toe with Jumbo even when it's unnecessary.

Yeah... Shenanigans while cresting Galibier weren't necessary.
Not with the descent ahead and the spring behind.