Teams & Riders Tadej Pogačar discussion thread

[scribers]

Why not race the cobbled classics with his stage race weight then? With the insane wattage he can push, he'd still stand a chance. Surely the form he had in Strade and Liège this year was good enough to at least podium Ronde.

I've seen or heard a comment from a pro (Sean Kelly?) where his weight doesn't matter so much as the wattage generated over a long period of time.

 

[Peyroteo94]

Pogacar is better than ever. I think he will race Flanders next year. He just love that race!

 

[2WpK]

I've seen or heard a comment from a pro (Sean Kelly?) where his weight doesn't matter so much as the wattage generated over a long period of time.

Weight matters a lot on uneven surfaces. The lighter rider loses a lot of forward energy due to vertical movement (bouncing). (Vingo during the gravel stage of the TDF). Same reason why lower tire pressures are faster=less bouncing. Also, if you are bouncing a lot, it is more difficult to position your bike. This is why the conventional wisdom is that Pogi needs to gain some weight to have a chance at PR.

 

[Krzysztof_O]

Weight matters a lot on uneven surfaces. The lighter rider loses a lot of forward energy due to vertical movement (bouncing). (Vingo during the gravel stage of the TDF). Same reason why lower tire pressures are faster=less bouncing. Also, if you are bouncing a lot, it is more difficult to position your bike. This is why the conventional wisdom is that Pogi needs to gain some weight to have a chance at PR.

Stabiilzation by larger mass makes sense - it enables the rider to utilize his power more efficiently. As for Vingo, I think the reason there was something else - too thick layer of sand, requiring a lot of power to keep going.

 

[Peyroteo94]

I think Pogacar can be competitive in Flanders with 2024 weight. What is more impressive about him is how strong is his explosiveness without hurting his endurance. The harder a race gets, the stronger Pogacar become. His endurance is off charts and for that reason I would like to see a good old mountain stage with a lot of climbing during 220 km

 

[Krzysztof_O]

I think Pogacar can be competitive in Flanders with 2024 weight. What is more impressive about him is how strong is his explosiveness without hurting his endurance. The harder a race gets, the stronger Pogacar become. His endurance is off charts and for that reason I would like to see a good old mountain stage with a lot of climbing during 220 km

Flandres, undoubtedly. His w/kg and endurance are great. His explosivity might by a bit weaker but still very good. PR is another beast though with no hills to feed his huge w/kg engine. His lower mass can affect him there but another (maybe bigger) problem is that he'll be heavily marked by other riders (no accidental solo win possible) and his chief rivals (MVP an WVA) are normally faster at the finish.

 

[hayneplane]

I think this need to be heavier to go well on cobbles/gravel is outdated nonsense based on reinforcement of preconceptions as largely only those heavier riders focus on the cobbles so it becomes viewed that they are the best suited to them.

You only have to look at the gravel stage and ignore Pogacar because he is an exceptional outlier in all areas and look at the flyweight Vingegaard who was easily among the 10 strongest in the race that day on the sectors.

On a super aggressively raced Strade Bianchi with Pogi lighting it up on the Santa Maria climb I would genuinely give Jonas a bigger chance of staying close to him than Van Aert nowadays.

 

[Low is rhe new high]

Pogacar future is to become cycling's equivalent of Ronaldo? He believes himself larger then the national team , trying to dictate who will be given the right to compete in the Olympics RR for woman. His employer lacks respect for democracy and human right and the funding is purely based on an industry that will change the climate and in a few decades destroy the cycling. He seems to developed a very grandiose self image where he is obsessed with the concept of being the goat and publishing pictures of himself flexing his muscles.

 

[Escarabajo]

Pogacar future is to become cycling's equivalent of Ronaldo? He believes himself larger then the national team , trying to dictate who will be given the right to compete in the Olympics RR for woman. His employer lacks respect for democracy and human right and the funding is purely based on an industry that will change the climate and in a few decades destroy the cycling. He seems to developed a very grandiose self image where he is obsessed with the concept of being the goat and publishing pictures of himself flexing his muscles.

???
Poor analogy TBH.
Maybe the federation shouldn't be stupid. That would help.

 

[hayneplane]

???
Poor analogy TBH.
Maybe the federation shouldn't be stupid. That would help.

Exactly this. The only way the accusation of Tadej trying to distort things would hold any weight would be if Urska was clearly much worse than those selected but having just won both national championships then objectively she should clearly have been selected on her own merits.

 

[VayaVayaVaya]

Pogacar future is to become cycling's equivalent of Ronaldo? He believes himself larger then the national team , trying to dictate who will be given the right to compete in the Olympics RR for woman. His employer lacks respect for democracy and human right and the funding is purely based on an industry that will change the climate and in a few decades destroy the cycling. He seems to developed a very grandiose self image where he is obsessed with the concept of being the goat and publishing pictures of himself flexing his muscles.

I agree with the employer comment but everything else…oh boy. It seems most agree Urksa should have been selected. She dominated the national road race and ITT, for example. I respect that Pogacar supported his partner at his own expense.

 

[Unchained]

Exactly this. The only way the accusation of Tadej trying to distort things would hold any weight would be if Urska was clearly much worse than those selected but having just won both national championships then objectively she should clearly have been selected on her own merits.

You are correct but..there is something very very myopic about federation decisions on team selection. If anyone associated with Pogacar is even remotely close, qualified, competitive, you pick that person for the good of national cycling campaign, today and ongoing. Pog at 25 will be major driver in national races and sponsorship. Pro teams know..if a rider wants a mechanic, chef,support rider or staff, it's a no brainer. Peter Sagan for example was always a package deal, if you pick him, want to be in his good graces you hire his encourage to some extent.. His brother, his mechanic, Danny Oss,ect
I can't imagine having Pogacar as an enemy or on his schit list. And for what?

 

[hayneplane]

You are correct but..there is something very very myopic about federation decisions on team selection. If anyone associated with Pogacar is even remotely close, qualified, competitive, you pick that person for the good of national cycling campaign, today and ongoing. Pog at 25 will be major driver in national races and sponsorship. Pro teams know..if a rider wants a mechanic, chef,support rider or staff, it's a no brainer. Peter Sagan for example was always a package deal, if you pick him, want to be in his good graces you hire his encourage to some extent.. His brother, his mechanic, Danny Oss,ect
I can't imagine having Pogacar as an enemy or on his schit list. And for what?

Didn’t Sagan join Total Energies as part of a 12 person package of him looking out for those around him in his career.

 

[James M]

WC gonne be nothing but a epic race this year. And unlike OL in the WC the apex predator will also join.

 

[Peyroteo94]

WC gonne be nothing but a epic race this year. And unlike OL in the WC the apex predator will also join.

Forget that. Pogacar will kill Remco, no doubt about that.

 

[James M]

Forget that. Pogacar will kill Remco, no doubt about that.

Forget what? Never said he wouldnt just said the Apex predator will join and that it will be a epic race.
Everyone knows who the apex predator is.

 

[Peyroteo94]

Forget what? Never said he wouldnt just said the Apex predator will join and that it will be a epic race.
Remco is clearly the second best rider in the world and when nr 1 and 2 go at it at the WC it will most likely be a good race.

Pogacar is in a league of his own. Remember when some people say Remco is a superb engine (he is), the best engine in the world, etc but Pogacar close a 15 seconds gap to him in the Tour (gravel stage) with one leg? Yes, he is a different beast this year. I have a hard time seeing Remco beating Pogacar, specially because he can't play 2x1 card (WVA won't be there).

 

[James M]

Pogacar is in a league of his own. Remember when some people say Remco is a superb engine (he is), the best engine in the world, etc but Pogacar close a 15 seconds gap to him in the Tour (gravel stage) with one leg? Yes, he is a different beast this year. I have a hard time seeing Remco beating Pogacar, specially because he can't play 2x1 card (WVA won't be there).

I dont disagree, Pogacar is clearly in a league of his own never said anything else hence the Apex predator reference. But Remco arguably and for me the second best rider in the world overall now, he has taken leaps and especially in GT so when they both are in the lineup for WC its gonne be a cool race it wasnt deeper than that.

 

[ppanther92]

Pogacar future is to become cycling's equivalent of Ronaldo? He believes himself larger then the national team , trying to dictate who will be given the right to compete in the Olympics RR for woman. His employer lacks respect for democracy and human right and the funding is purely based on an industry that will change the climate and in a few decades destroy the cycling. He seems to developed a very grandiose self image where he is obsessed with the concept of being the goat and publishing pictures of himself flexing his muscles.

Absurd interpretation of being upset and showing support about your girlfriend, who by the way is by far the best cyclist of her country, is not nominated for the Olympics due to political reasons (national team coach being involved in the team of one of the starters that was nominated over her). But hey, go ahead with abstruse takes. Some might even be fun.

 

[mariosommelier]

Forget that. Pogacar will kill Remco, no doubt about that.

Totally agree. Pogacar won't be denied.

 

[mariosommelier]

I dont disagree, Pogacar is clearly in a league of his own never said anything else hence the Apex predator reference. But Remco arguably and for me the second best rider in the world overall now, he has taken leaps and especially in GT so when they both are in the lineup for WC its gonne be a cool race it wasnt deeper than that.

Can't agree, since Remco was slaughtered by Vingegaard in the Tour, and it was not funny to see.

 

[mariosommelier]

Pogacar future is to become cycling's equivalent of Ronaldo? He believes himself larger then the national team , trying to dictate who will be given the right to compete in the Olympics RR for woman. His employer lacks respect for democracy and human right and the funding is purely based on an industry that will change the climate and in a few decades destroy the cycling. He seems to developed a very grandiose self image where he is obsessed with the concept of being the goat and publishing pictures of himself flexing his muscles.

But the hard truth is.....he is.

Even the Slovenian riders were telling: you must bring Pogacar, whatever it takes.

About your other statements, just horseshit.

 

[tobydawq]

Pogacar is in a league of his own. Remember when some people say Remco is a superb engine (he is), the best engine in the world, etc but Pogacar close a 15 seconds gap to him in the Tour (gravel stage) with one leg? Yes, he is a different beast this year. I have a hard time seeing Remco beating Pogacar, specially because he can't play 2x1 card (WVA won't be there).

He used both legs.

 

[KZD]

Can't agree, since Remco was slaughtered by Vingegaard in the Tour, and it was not funny to see.

Finishing 3 minutes behind is not what I would call getting slaughtered...

Plus Vingegaard has zero wins in major one-day races.

 

[mariosommelier]

Finishing 3 minutes behind is not what I would call getting slaughtered...

Plus Vingegaard has zero wins in major one-day races.

Yes he was.

Did you see Stage 20?