Teams & Riders Tadej Pogačar discussion thread

[Moose McKnuckles]

Babysat him in the end didn't he.

Pretty sure "babysitting" is what Kuss did for both Roglic at the Giro and Vingo at the Tour.
Anyway, let's not pollute the Pog thread with discussions of lesser riders.

 

[mariosommelier]

Pretty sure "babysitting" is what Kuss did for both Roglic at the Giro and Vingo at the Tour.
Anyway, let's not pollute the Pog thread with discussions of lesser riders.

Hahaha loved it.

 

[Oldermanish]

I think we have to take into account that Remco is relatively better one-day racer than GT rider, he's more natural in hilly/rolling terrain. This is not Plateau de Beille, where Pogacar easily prevails in sustained w/kg departement. On those short climbs Pogacar can get some gap on Remco but it's possible that the Belgian (if the gap is small enough i.e. 10-15 seconds) will overcome it on the rolling 10-km section afterwards.

Possibly, but IMO if Pogacar is in a final late-race select group and hasn't overworked; he is capable of a move that Remco couldn't follow nor catch. Probably no one would.
I get the feeling that the race will have some gaps. Favorites left in between will use up what's needed to separate from a group.

 

[snipeheem]

What are you even talking about here? Goat is going to destroy Remco and the rest of the field.. my god he is just on another level…

 

[Peyroteo94]

Yeah I remember the section after San Luca when Vingegaard and Pogacar were working together and Evenepoel closed it on his own.

Pogacar and Vingegaard were not really working together, you know that

 

[Cookster15]

But sure, I'm the guy that's biased, this is just my big blind love of Remco talking

It’s easy to spot those fans who don’t like Pogacar for whatever reason. But I agree with your earlier post that the most likely scenario is Pog attack to get a gap, Remco catches him on the flat and Pog wins the two up sprint.

 

[Peyroteo94]

Remco is a better time triallist than Pogacar on flat terrain. I still don't know if he is better in 4% slopes. And roads at 4% are not rolling terrain? Honest question (without sarcasm).

 

[Peyroteo94]

It’s easy to spot those fans who don’t like Pogacar for whatever reason. But I agree with your earlier post that the most likely scenario is Pog attack to get a gap, Remco catches him on the flat and Pog wins the two up sprint.

I don't believe that at all. Remco will never catch him. I don't know if he will be dropped, but catching Pogacar? Not in a million years, specially in a technical and undulating terrain.

 

[mariosommelier]

I don't believe that at all. Remco will never catch him. I don't know if he will be dropped, but catching Pogacar? Not in a million years, specially in a technical and undulating terrain.

We just saw the last TT, on a rolling terrain, what happened.

And honestly? This WC route is even better for Pogacar.

He will destroy Remco, I can bet my house on that.

 

[Cookster15]

We just saw the last TT, on a rolling terrain, what happened.

And honestly? This WC route is even better for Pogacar.

He will destroy Remco, I can bet my house on that.

I get this but the final TT in the Tour is about who is recovering the best so I don’t read much into that. For the worlds RR they will be fresh.

When Remco won the worlds in 2022 Pogacar was there and Remco rode away to win solo by over 2 minutes on a super hilly course (take a look) - I think Remco is better now?

 

[steffr222]

I like both of them Pogi and Remco. Still I can‘t see why Pogacar should be smashing Evenepoel on that course… won‘t happen. Pretty sure.

 

[mariosommelier]

I get this but the final TT in the Tour is about who is recovering the best so I don’t read much into that. For the worlds RR they will be fresh.

When Remco won the worlds in 2022 Pogacar was there and Remco rode away to win solo by over 2 minutes on a super hilly course (take a look) - I think Remco is better now?

This is 2024, not 2022—are you consciously choosing to overlook Pogacar's form this year? It seems you're thinking statically, forgetting to account for the incredible shape Pogacar has shown throughout 2024. Everyone's entitled to their opinion, and this is mine, just as you have yours.

However, you are selectively disregarding Pogacar's outstanding season, winning Liège-Bastogne-Liège, Strade Bianche, 6 stages in the Giro, 6 stages in the Tour de France, and the GP Montréal.

His form in 2024 is undeniable.

 

[saunaking]

When Remco won the worlds in 2022 Pogacar was there and Remco rode away to win solo by over 2 minutes on a super hilly course (take a look) - I think Remco is better now?

That was tactics and stupidity more than strength

 

[saunaking]

Remco has zero chance vs Teddy as long as Teddy doesn't let him go as part of a break like in Oz

 

[mariosommelier]

Remco has zero chance vs Teddy as long as Teddy doesn't let him go as part of a break like in Oz

For me, Slovenia should put a ferocious pace since the beginning and control the breaks.

Roglic could attack with 2 laps to go and then Pogacar delivering the final blow with 1 lap to go.

 

[Oldermanish]

It’s easy to spot those fans who don’t like Pogacar for whatever reason. But I agree with your earlier post that the most likely scenario is Pog attack to get a gap, Remco catches him on the flat and Pog wins the two up sprint.

...if the race isn't kinky and both are required to spend some energy to get to the final selection. In that case it will likely be Tadej. His season has been free of the catastrophe that Remco and Primoz have dealt with. If all three are there it could be weirdly interesting as an open finish.

 

[Oldermanish]

For me, Slovenia should put a ferocious pace since the beginning and control the breaks.

Roglic could attack with 2 laps to go and then Pogacar delivering the final blow with 1 lap to go.

Should and could. Setting tempo mostly sets up opportunistic breaks as soon as the pace lets up. That's the move I'd be in if I wanted to be in the final selection and hoped for a good finish. Not rocket science on a course like this but difficult to endure.

 

[mariosommelier]

Should and could. Setting tempo mostly sets up opportunistic breaks as soon as the pace lets up. That's the move I'd be in if I wanted to be in the final selection and hoped for a good finish. Not rocket science on a course like this but difficult to endure.

If the team is willing to work for Pogacar and protect him at all costs, they have the talent to endure and to put him in the best position to win the race.

 

[Cookster15]

This is 2024, not 2022—are you consciously choosing to overlook Pogacar's form this year?

No, I am fully aware. But Remco is also a stronger rider too in 2024 than he was in 2022.

Look I am a Pog fan but also a realist - there are Pog fans on here more pessimistic than me. Outside of the final stage TT Remco still beat Pog in the earlier TdF TT on a lumpy course (stage 7). That supports the view that he could ride back to Pog in the worlds race if the gap is under 30sec.

I am just reasoning what I think is most likely to occur. I think you are underestimating what a fresh Remco might be capable of. Logically he should be a stronger rider today at 24 than he was in 2022 aged 22. And he rode his best ever grand tour at the TdF. We also need to keep in mind Pog has been at a high level since the Giro.

 

[Cookster15]

That was tactics and stupidity more than strength

Tactics and stupidity explains how Remco was allowed to get away. But raw strength is how he stayed away for the final 25km.

Remco Evenepoel wins Wollongong World Championships with stunning solo attack

Laporte takes 2nd place from bunch sprint, Matthews takes 3rd, after Belgian rider attacks solo from 25km

www.cyclingnews.com

 

[mariosommelier]

No, I am fully aware. But Remco is also a stronger rider too in 2024 than he was in 2022.

Look I am a Pog fan but also a realist - there are Pog fans on here more pessimistic than me. Outside of the final stage TT Remco still beat Pog in the earlier TdF TT on a lumpy course (stage 7). That supports the view that he could ride back to Pog in the worlds race if the gap is under 30sec.

I am just reasoning what I think is most likely to occur. I think you are underestimating what a fresh Remco might be capable of. Logically he should be a stronger rider today at 24 than he was in 2022 aged 22. And he rode his best ever grand tour at the TdF. We also need to keep in mind Pog has been at a high level since the Giro.

Yes, Remco has certainly improved since 2022, but in my opinion, Pogacar's evolution has been on a completely different level. What he's achieving this year is unprecedented. While Remco's progression is impressive, Pogacar's leap in terms of stamina, tactical mastery, and raw power is unmatched.

He still possesses his explosive acceleration, but now with far greater endurance. Given his current form, it's not unreasonable to imagine he might be planning a long-range attack at Worlds—perhaps two laps from the finish. What he's capable of this year sets him apart in a way we haven’t seen before.

 

[Oldermanish]

If the team is willing to work for Pogacar and protect him at all costs, they have the talent to endure and to put him in the best position to win the race.

it's the talent to endure part that is the wild card. Ask members of Italian, Dutch and Spanish teams of the past.

 

[Peyroteo94]

Remco has zero chance vs Teddy as long as Teddy doesn't let him go as part of a break like in Oz

This. On sheer power, Remco is gonna be slaughtered

 

[Berniece]

This. On sheer power, Remco is gonna be slaughtered

What does being slaughtered mean? Did Pogacar slaughter MVDP in Flanders '22?

 

[Peyroteo94]

What does being slaughtered mean? Did Pogacar slaughter MVDP in Flanders '22?

In 2023 yes. Totally sheer power on Kwaremont. I believe if Remco is dropped, gap will not be under 40 seconds at the finish line