For me a fit Pogacar is always going to be in the shakeup for the Olympics parcours we have this year but to actually win it probably requires dropping MVDP which will be a tough ask given his prep should be far more ideal than Pogs.
- Feb 20, 2012
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I mean, it's basically impossible to have 0 chance. But I think every intangible is stacked against him.
- Mar 20, 2022
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Impressive stuff. I would like to know who holds the record (since the 90's). He has a chance of winning 20 WT races this season.
- Feb 18, 2015
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I don't know, I think people are underestimating the importance of strength even in a race like this. It's not just all a crapshoot. If he gets into a group with Evenepoel, I think Evenepoel works with him and suddenly he is absolutely in a position to win.
- Feb 20, 2012
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Belgian newspapers gonna be on fire if Evenepoel brings Pogacar to the line without Van Aert there.
My overall point is it's probably not hard enough for him to win by brute force, the tactical nature of the race does him no favors, and I think doing both Giro and Tour does him little favors as well.
- Apr 30, 2011
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I would expect him to learn the lesson of Australia 2022 and not be too passive waiting for the last 3 laps while dangerous riders go up the road. This time if Remco anticipates Tadej will jump on it.
- Feb 20, 2012
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Actually the field being as small as it is should probably make it slightly easier to control with 4 man teams than what it was in previous Olympics.
- May 22, 2024
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- May 8, 2014
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You can clearly hear from his voice... he knows he has little to no chance against Rogla.
- Aug 13, 2011
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I hear regret of having to beat the old man again.
- Jul 7, 2013
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Olympics is pure speculation at the moment. Let's see how dead he is after Giro-Tour double first. Last year he prepared a mini-peak for WC but it cost him a lot, he almost passed out after the race. I still think it's likely he will skip Olympics after the double (regardless of the outcome).
He shouldn't race ITT in Olympics and Worlds.
- Nov 16, 2013
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It's more like on how realistic it will be to perform good, decision likely to be made after the Tour. If Pogi would ride through the Tour and to win it by minutes, then he likely will be fresh enough for Olympics. If his form instead fades at the Tour, then giving it a crack at Worlds RR is pretty much it. And this year i am sure that Rogla will go for both too, so there is that. All in all you will still need to be relatively fresh at the Tour and beyond, otherwise chances for results and participations are low.
Most likely he will want to represent his country in the Olympics either way.
In an interview i read yesterday he left this option open. He said he would like to participate at Olympics in some form, still participation is not 100% confirmed yet.
- Jun 6, 2017
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He just finished the Giro tbf and is supposed to rest now for a week or so. Prepare for Tour, ride it and then maybe doing the Olympics.
Who knows, there could still be negotiations about practical things. Bonus if winning a medal and so on. Pog likely holds the cards here.
I dont think he is putting it off because he doesnt know if he physically will be able to unless he just doesnt want to. Nobody who is doing the Tour really knows that. Especially if you are GC-rider and anything can happen in the Tour or before it. Crashes, illness and so on. Same for everyone.
Someone like MVDP probably benefits the most since he will "just" ride Tour as prep and maybe doing something on a stage... then having the Olympics as the big goal.
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@Salvarani
Pogi has never done a GT double before, lets first see on how that goes. On top of that he was in great form through whole spring campaign. There are limits involved, even when it comes to Pogi. So in my opinion Olympics participation will come down to form and freshness left. We'll see.
Pogi has never done a GT double before, lets first see on how that goes. On top of that he was in great form through whole spring campaign. There are limits involved, even when it comes to Pogi. So in my opinion Olympics participation will come down to form and freshness left. We'll see.
Impossible to know that now and most likely that is why he answers it the way he does... I dont know when the deadline is to make a decision for the Olympics, but as I said he will do it if things are ok in every aspect. It is the Olympics and you only get a couple of chances to participate.
@Salvarani
Yes, that is on why it's not confirmed but the doors are left open.
The way i see it is Pogi went all out through the whole spring campaign and continued to do that at the Giro, that is he wasn't riding sparingly at all. In my opinion he will be cooked by the end of the Tour (or sooner) and hence he will focus on Worlds RR as a result. We'll see.
Yes, that is on why it's not confirmed but the doors are left open.
The way i see it is Pogi went all out through the whole spring campaign and continued to do that at the Giro, that is he wasn't riding sparingly at all. In my opinion he will be cooked by the end of the Tour (or sooner) and hence he will focus on Worlds RR as a result. We'll see.
The preliminarly plan is he will likely do it, if nothing else happens. End of.
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