Teams & Riders Tadej Pogačar discussion thread

[Peyroteo94]

Pog did more for the promotion of our country than anyone except maybe Doncic. He's the reason for all the Slovenian flags you saw on your television on Sunday. Noone here thinks he's letting anyone down.

If anything, it's Slovenia who is letting him down by not selecting his partner to join him in the olympic team though she deserved it by merit. Did you check the results of other two girls that were selected? It's a travesty!

Finally a post from a slovenian who completely silence these haters. They are trying everything to make him a bad guy but He is no Lance. He is Tadej! And he is a joy for cycling, on and off the bike!

 

[Peyroteo94]

One thing is clear, Pogacar is a lot more popular than Roglic abroad.

 

[James M]

One thing is clear, Pogacar is a lot more popular than Roglic abroad.

I think Pogacar is unquestionable the most popular rider in the peloton thats just a fact nothing else.
The most liked and its not hard to see why from the way he races. Van der Poel second and its telling isnt it.
Ofcourse will always be a few for different reasons such as dont like he wins over their rider that's normal but that just the way it is.

Dare I say it almost feels like he is the chosen one, I think he can basically can do whatever he wants since he is the chosen one and public opinion wont change, its weird. Its just hard to not like him.

 

[Lequack]

Backstage pass last episode

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UJItKgBS73s

 

[samhocking]

Olympics is not the end of/be all for him and he has a medal.

This route doesnt favor him. Difficult to make much of a difference on the climbs to get away for him and it will be very hard to control.

Winning worlds would be bigger than the Olympics.

Olympics would simply be a nice touch and a nice stat, when it comes to cycling.

Winning worlds after winning the double would mean so much more.

He probably needs a break now mentally more than anything else. Do some crit races and enjoy himself.

Sure, but Olympics is far more important than the Worlds outside of Cycling at National level. Afterall in Slovenia the most popular sports are Football, basketball, volleyball, ice hockey, and handball before cycling.
The ability to hit such form is not a guarantee in 4 years as we saw with Froome, Bernal, Dumoulin, Roglic etc one day you are at the top 12 months later out of the game completely not looking like ever returning. The sports marginal gains is moving so fast now and physiological and psychological level so demanding, you won't have a career that will be peaking across more than 2 Olympic cycles / Gold medal chances.

 

[BullsFan22]

One thing is clear, Pogacar is a lot more popular than Roglic abroad.

Well, he is more successful. And Roglič is very successful. Pogačar has just been crushing it.

 

[James M]

UAE boss excited to have taken the Giro-Tour double with Tadej Pogacar: "We knew that there was the possibility of doing it with Tadej because he is a phenomenon"

After two years of losing to Jonas Vingegaard, Tadej

cyclinguptodate.com

Tadej Pogacar's calendar between now and the end of 2024: World Championshps and Lombardia are the major goals

Gazzetta dello Sport has previewed Tadej Pogacar's c

cyclinguptodate.com

 

[samhocking]

Does anyone know what the route will be for LA 2028? Will it be hilly? I don't know exactly what the geography of the region is but I just searched and it says there are "San Gabriel and San Bernardino mountains" which sound promising. How about Brisbane 2032? I think he really screwed up in 2021. That route was perfect for him. This year he would have a chance but he probably wouldn't have won

Not announced yet. I'd assume they're gonna take in the sites through the multiple national parks, but equally it could just be a pan flat LA Crit for 200km haha!

 

[Brullnux]

I don't agree with the reason for cancellation. We can all pretend that this is because he's "tired", but it's because of his girlfriend. It's childish, and diva behaviour. When the WC comes up, then he does want to represent his country, because it suits him more.

I don't think it's diva of him. I'm sure a lot of people here have been talked out of a trip by a significant other/partner when the destination is known for its hedonism.

If anything, it's sign that Tadej puts family and monogamy before everything else. Reminds me of Bartali with his dedication to Christian democratic values.

 

[Miha81]

I thought Roglic was more popular in Slovenia compared to Pogacar? Or that's what I read on this forum. I'm not from Slovenia, so I can't really say much about it.

I would say Rogla is more popular with "newborn cyclist fans" that follow cycling since 2018 or so.

We have a group of ex cyclists that follow the sport for many decades and everyone favourite Slovenian cyclist in terms of pure cycling is Pog. Rogla is maybe more likeable due to the fact that he put Slovenian cycling on the map, his unconventional background and never give up attitude if that makes sense.

It was a case in 2020 that Pog was thrown under the bus for what happened in that edition of tour but mostly fueled by Rogla die hard fans.

 

[samhocking]

I don't think it's diva of him. I'm sure a lot of people here have been talked out of a trip by a significant other/partner when the destination is known for its hedonism.

If anything, it's sign that Tadej puts family and monogamy before everything else. Reminds me of Bartali with his dedication to Christian democratic values.

Surely Pogacar would have said it was for family reasons and people would understand. Saying he's too fatigued when even after 3 weeks of GT racing he is producing the best numbers a couple of weeks to go and the race is an hours flight away seems unlikely to be the reason.

 

[Salvarani]

Sure, but Olympics is far more important than the Worlds outside of Cycling at National level. Afterall in Slovenia the most popular sports are Football, basketball, volleyball, ice hockey, and handball before cycling.
The ability to hit such form is not a guarantee in 4 years as we saw with Froome, Bernal, Dumoulin, Roglic etc one day you are at the top 12 months later out of the game completely not looking like ever returning. The sports marginal gains is moving so fast now and physiological and psychological level so demanding, you won't have a career that will be peaking across more than 2 Olympic cycles / Gold medal chances.

Roglic already won a gold for Slovenia. Pog has a bronze.

He just won them the double as well, which is huge and being reported all over the world.

What more can he do?

Are you Slovenian? Or why are making it seem like he is letting anyone down? Just curious

If anyone deserves a break… it’s him.

And this Olympics could be Mohoric chance. Good route for him. He gets a chance to shine and the team riding for him. Could be his only chance to make the country proud in the Olympics.

 

[Armchair Cyclist]

Pog did more for the promotion of our country than anyone except maybe Doncic. He's the reason for all the Slovenian flags you saw on your television on Sunday. Noone here thinks he's letting anyone down.

If anything, it's Slovenia who is letting him down by not selecting his partner to join him in the olympic team though she deserved it by merit. Did you check the results of other two girls that were selected? It's a travesty!

So what would have been the grounds for selecting Pintar and Bujak?
My impression of Zigart is that she is a pure climber, and so Paris route not well suited to her. Does the route suit Pintar and Bujak better?
Is it a case of "We have no hope at all of a medal, so let's give these women, probably not far off retirement, a chance to call themsleves Olympians" (I realise that doesn't really apply to Bujak, she was in Tokyo)
Is there some beef between Zigart and the federation? There might be now, but was there before the selection?

I know national federations are neither obliged nor accustomed to defending themselves, but if there were to do so, what rationale would they give?

 

[velaso montador]

Surely Pogacar would have said it was for family reasons and people would understand. Saying he's too fatigued when even after 3 weeks of GT racing he is producing the best numbers a couple of weeks to go and the race is an hours flight away seems unlikely to be the reason.

He just won the double has more reason to rest than anyone.

His fiancé he has also every right to stand up for I think most of us would like what are you saying man? Also the route is not the best for him and even though he is Tadej Pogacar he also needs rest for what clearly is his next goal which he has said.

Beside all nonsense its the smartest move.

 

[Armchair Cyclist]

I don't think it's diva of him. I'm sure a lot of people here have been talked out of a trip by a significant other/partner when the destination is known for its hedonism.

If anything, it's sign that Tadej puts family and monogamy before everything else. Reminds me of Bartali with his dedication to Christian democratic values.

That's a new take. The implication is that it is impossible to be an Olympian and remain honest to a partner. I would suspect that someone of Pogacar's means would be unlikely to be staying in the Olympic Village unless by choice anyway.

 

[scribers]

I’ve been saying dump the Olympics forever now.

I say it. Mou hears it. They do it.

 

[velaso montador]

So what would have been the grounds for selecting Pintar and Bujak?
My impression of Zigart is that she is a pure climber, and so Paris route not well suited to her. Does the route suit Pintar and Bujak better?
Is it a case of "We have no hope at all of a medal, so let's give these women, probably not far off retirement, a chance to call themsleves Olympians" (I realise that doesn't really apply to Bujak, she was in Tokyo)
Is there some beef between Zigart and the federation? There might be now, but was there before the selection?

I know national federations are neither obliged nor accustomed to defending themselves, but if there were to do so, what rationale would they give?

Zigart is Pogacar fiancé that in itself is reason alone to be just give her the gold alone dont you agree armchair?

Couldnt care less about women cycling myself but that Pogacar if that's what it is stands up for his fiancé thats hardly nothing but respectable. Also the slovenians have spoken this is a nothing burger just give the gold to Zigart already and move on.

 

[velaso montador]

On real note.

Besides who are we to say he isnt tired I cant remember anyone in recent time doing what he just did, The double nevermind the fashion he did it in. Also his goals have been clear since day 1 this year and its never been the OL.

Next big goals always been WC and Lombardia.

 

[scribers]

I would take a crack at the vuelta. This season GT triple opportunity may never come up again for him. And no one may be able to do it.

 

[Brullnux]

That's a new take. The implication is that it is impossible to be an Olympian and remain honest to a partner. I would suspect that someone of Pogacar's means would be unlikely to be staying in the Olympic Village unless by choice anyway.

It isn't serious ;-)

 

[RedheadDane]

That's a new take. The implication is that it is impossible to be an Olympian and remain honest to a partner. I would suspect that someone of Pogacar's means would be unlikely to be staying in the Olympic Village unless by choice anyway.

Aren't the rules similar to GT racing - and cycling in general? With athletes having to sleep in the Olympic Village?

But, yeah... I'm definitely baffled why some people seem to have a hard time believing that a guy who did the Giro-Tour double could be tired.

 

[Salvarani]

It makes sense to skip for many reasons.

Route doesnt suit him.
He just finished a historic double.
His spouse wasnt picked, which seems extremely unfair based on her results. It is admirable for him to stand up for her.

Take some time to rest instead and spend time together. Enjoy and celebrate what has been achieved. Instead of spending the next week and a half preparing for something that probably wont yield more than another medal at best.

Worlds is bigger than the Olympics in cycling and Mohoric is a good friend who gets his opportunity to shine now on a route that suits him.

It only seems to be non-fans of the rider who wants him to do it or being negative on it. Wonder why... because they know it would be a bad idea or doesnt want to let go of an opportunity to be critical, most likely. Fair enough.

 

[velaso montador]

If he was to win either Lombardia or WC one of em wouldnt that then be the best season in history?

Not only the double but 12 stage wins aswell, 1 or 2 monuments depending or WC surely that would be the best in history?

Add in what era he does it and its bonkers. Forgot strade aswell...

 

[Armchair Cyclist]

Aren't the rules similar to GT racing - and cycling in general? With athletes having to sleep in the Olympic Village?

But, yeah... I'm definitely baffled why some people seem to have a hard time believing that a guy who did the Giro-Tour double could be tired.

No. My nephew went to Brazil in 2016 as a training partner to a member of the Ireland team; most of the team were a three hour plane ride from Rio in Uberlandia, just went down as needed for competition, and most were in Brazil for no longer than necessary.

 

[dacooley]

Pogacar is right skipping the Olympics and Vuelta. Proving the superiority on any day on any type of race and on any terrain is far harder than it seems. Time to relax, rest and recharge the body before the next season's feats...