Teams & Riders Tadej Pogačar discussion thread

[Andy schleck]

Well, Vingo only has Kelderman and Kuss for the high mountains, so we may see a fun situation where the best riders are isolated early.

Benoot is a decent climber and van aert will be more strong in the mountains this year.

 

[Boehmand]

I think UAE has a slightely better team in the mountains (only slightly), but Jumbo has a slightly better team for flat and puncheur stages.

However we all know that crashes and injuries will completely mess up that prediction, before we get to the end of the race.

In really the Courchevel stage is where it really matters, provided both captains are still in contention then.

 

[KZD]

Benoot is a decent climber and van aert will be more strong in the mountains this year.

Its difficult to imagine a rider as big as Van Aert being stronger in the mountains than in the last two Tours. What could happen is him being more focused in helping Vingegård instead of going for the green jersey.

 

[fox]

Well, Vingo only has Kelderman and Kuss for the high mountains, so we may see a fun situation where the best riders are isolated early.

Van Aert should be the first guy to make tempo on the last climb. And then he still has Kelderman and Kuss.

 

[RedheadDane]

Dude, he had a wrist injury. He couldn't eat for 3 months, no wonder he's so skinny.

I like the idea of Pogacar being so sophisticated, he insists on eating everything with a knife and fork. Even soup.

 

[danielovichdk2]

I think UAE has a slightely better team in the mountains (only slightly), but Jumbo has a slightly better team for flat and puncheur stages.

However we all know that crashes and injuries will completely mess up that prediction, before we get to the end of the race.

In really the Courchevel stage is where it really matters, provided both captains are still in contention then.

Jumbo slighty better on the flat ? They have a major upper hand in my view. Sure Trentin and Bjerg are great riders. But I know which team I would pick for racing on flat and hilly terrain. Any day of the week.

 

[Red Rick]

I'm very surprised they looked at McNulty last year and said: "That's the one we can do without"

 

[Rackham]

I think UAE are trying to keep everyone happy in the team. McNulty won a stage in the Giro (& he had more freedom there).

Yates I believe is a rider contracted to be super domestique specifically for Pogacar. He'll be doing the Kuss job, which is something they've lacked.

 

[Aimar16]

Yates is a big upgrade from McNulty

 

[Nick2413]

Yates is a big upgrade from McNulty

Depends how consistent he can be. McNulty was Kuss-like a couple days last year.

 

[Aimar16]

Depends how consistent he can be. McNulty was Kuss-like a couple days last year.

Consistency is not McNulty's strong trait. As you said he had a good day or two in week three last year, but other than that he wasn't a factor. So I think Yates is the better choice in that aspect as well.

 

[Krzysztof_O]

I think UAE are trying to keep everyone happy in the team. McNulty won a stage in the Giro (& he had more freedom there).

Yates I believe is a rider contracted to be super domestique specifically for Pogacar. He'll be doing the Kuss job, which is something they've lacked.

Yup. Yates at his best is a great climber. Obviously he's not a GT monster and will have some weaker days but still he should be up there with Pogacar most of the time.

 

[Boehmand]

Yup. Yates at his best is a great climber. Obviously he's not a GT monster and will have some weaker days but still he should be up there with Pogacar most of the time.

I think the way the route is this year, is a great advantage to Yates - and to UAE.

I think he can stay up there on GC all the way to the 2nd rest day, and thus be someone Jumbo needs to worry about.

We might even see the reverse 1-2 punch this year.

 

[Cookster15]

I think the way the route is this year, is a great advantage to Yates - and to UAE.

I think he can stay up there on GC all the way to the 2nd rest day, and thus be someone Jumbo needs to worry about.

We might even see the reverse 1-2 punch this year.

Yates was 4th on GC at the 2016 TdF, 4th at the 2021 Vuelta and 9th at last year’s TdF. He is still only 30. If he’s in top shape he should be able to ride strongly for Pogacar deep into the 3rd week and the Queen stage where he will be really needed.

Would be good to see UAE reverse the tables on Jumbo and this added team strength reduces the advantage JV had last year.

We will see but I still worry about his wrist reading his comments today. Hopefully this is just to deflect pressure and expectations.

 

[Tonton]

The team strength discussion comes down to no-Roglic: even hurt as he was last year, he had to be accounted for. This year, Tadej will have to watch Jonas and Jonas only. I really like his chances.

 

[Peyroteo94]

Jumbo only has Kuss for the mountains. I'm pretty sure Keldermann will find a way to crash.

 

[red_flanders]

Jumbo only has Kuss for the mountains. I'm pretty sure Keldermann will find a way to crash.

Wout? Did some yeoman's work last year.

 

[Andy schleck]

Jumbo only has Kuss for the mountains. I'm pretty sure Keldermann will find a way to crash.

Vingegaard just needs van aert and kuss.

 

[Peyroteo94]

Vingegaard just needs van aert and kuss.

I think Vingegaard will be fine too. However he will need his team to put a hard tempo on long climbs. He will not win the Tour without dropping Pogacar. I think all of us can agree on this one.

 

[Boehmand]

Yates was 4th on GC at the 2016 TdF, 4th at the 2021 Vuelta and 9th at last year’s TdF. He is still only 30. If he’s in top shape he should be able to ride strongly for Pogacar deep into the 3rd week and the Queen stage where he will be really needed.

Would be good to see UAE reverse the tables on Jumbo and this added team strength reduces the advantage JV had last year.

We will see but I still worry about his wrist reading his comments today. Hopefully this is just to deflect pressure and expectations.

Yeah, hard to know if it's gamesmanship or an actual problem, we will all know soon enough.

If he is in top condition, I'm very interesting in seeing if we will see the usual Pogacar firing on all cylinders the first week, or if they have planned a more conservative strategy, to save more strength for week 3.

 

[Boehmand]

I think Vingegaard will be fine too. However he will need his team to put a hard tempo on long climbs. He will not win the Tour without dropping Pogacar. I think all of us can agree on this one.

Well, he beat Pogacar in the week 3 ITT last year, so don't think that is a given.

However the ITT being after a rest day this year, might very well change the outcome.

 

[Peyroteo94]

Well, he beat Pogacar in the week 3 ITT last year, so don't think that is a given.

However the ITT being after a rest day this year, might very well change the outcome.

Don't forget how well all UAE riders are riding this year in TT. They are flying!! UAE invested a lot (Gianetti said this) in new equipment for TT.

 

[Andy schleck]

I think Vingegaard will be fine too. However he will need his team to put a hard tempo on long climbs. He will not win the Tour without dropping Pogacar. I think all of us can agree on this one.

Even if jumbo cannot do a hard tempo, emirates will make a hard tempo to pogacar. Pogacar will also attack. He will not wait for the final bonus.

 

[Boehmand]

Don't forget how well all UAE riders are riding this year in TT. They are flying!! UAE invested a lot (Gianetti said this) in new equipment for TT.

True... so really, with Pog's wrist, the ITT being after a rest day, and equipment changes, none of us know f*ck all

 

[Andy schleck]

Well, he beat Pogacar in the week 3 ITT last year, so don't think that is a given.

However the ITT being after a rest day this year, might very well change the outcome.

I think the gaps in the TT will be small. Just 22 km.