Teams & Riders Tadej Pogačar discussion thread

[scribers]

Can you imagine being in a group that large with a 3 1/2 minute lead and watching it reduce so fast? It’s like listening to King Kong moving through the jungle and things are shaking

 

[Peyroteo94]

Best engine in the world with the best punch in the world (in climbs longer than 1 km). He is the perfect rider

 

[Berniece]

It's the perfect opportunity for a double WC. He will be clearly the number one favourite for both races and after seeing 2024 Zurich road race, I can see him destroying the field in Kigali with 90 km to the finish line

Depends a bit on his schedule. Obviously if he prepares like he did this year, he's the biggest favourite, BUT he's going for a different double next year. TDF + Vuelta.

Just like he said this year that he was very tired after Giro + TDF, I would expect something similar next year. Even more so if Vingegaard is also going for the TDF + Vuelta double.

Basically everything comes down to the big 4 GT rider's schedule to see how hard the season will be, which will impact his chances in the WC.

 

[Krzysztof_O]

Depends a bit on his schedule. Obviously if he prepares like he did this year, he's the biggest favourite, BUT he's going for a different double next year. TDF + Vuelta.

Just like he said this year that he was very tired after Giro + TDF, I would expect something similar next year. Even more so if Vingegaard is also going for the TDF + Vuelta double.

Basically everything comes down to the big 4 GT rider's schedule to see how hard the season will be, which will impact his chances in the WC.

Is it confirmed that Pog is doing the Vuelta? Maybe he will have a more standard one-GT schedule or decide to repeat Giro-Tour? Obviously WC shortly after the Tour + Vuelta combo can create fatigue (the way he was fatigued at Glasgow) but maybe he can still keep enough form for a one-day intense race (after 2 week rest).

 

[Berniece]

Is it confirmed that Pog is doing the Vuelta? Maybe he will have a more standard one-GT schedule or decide to repeat Giro-Tour? Obviously WC shortly after the Tour + Vuelta combo can create fatigue (the way he was fatigued at Glasgow) but maybe he can still keep enough form for a one-day intense race (after 2 week rest).

Nothing is confirmed yet. It’ll take a couple of months before we’ll know officially. These are rumours.

 

[Salvarani]

Best engine in the world with the best punch in the world (in climbs longer than 1 km). He is the perfect rider

Do I dare say it?

GOAT GOAT GOAT

 

[ppanther92]

Depends a bit on his schedule. Obviously if he prepares like he did this year, he's the biggest favourite, BUT he's going for a different double next year. TDF + Vuelta.

Well, some Vuelta riders did quite good here. O'Connor, Mas, Adria

 

[Salvarani]

Is it confirmed that Pog is doing the Vuelta? Maybe he will have a more standard one-GT schedule or decide to repeat Giro-Tour? Obviously WC shortly after the Tour + Vuelta combo can create fatigue (the way he was fatigued at Glasgow) but maybe he can still keep enough form for a one-day intense race (after 2 week rest).

I think he might only do Tour + Worlds. Then a break.

He will go for Dauphine next season before the Tour.

No Giro or Vuelta.

 

[Berniece]

Well, some Vuelta riders did quite good here. O'Connor, Mas, Adria

If he wouldn't do the TDF, and only the Vuelta, I would agree. It's also how Evenepoel won is WC, after the Vuelta.

But I'm talking about the fatigue after such a long period. O'Connor and Adria didn't ride the TDF, and while Mas did he also finished 19th, so it was more as a build up to Vuelta.

He might approach the Vuelta like he did the Giro though, and no one else of the big 4 GT riders is riding the Vuelta he can take it easy, and use that extra energy for the WC.

 

[Peter von]

I think he might only do Tour + Worlds. Then a break.

He will go for Dauphine next season before the Tour.

No Giro or Vuelta.

Very possible.

For now I guess all is on the table, they'll evaluate a few weeks after Lombardia and run down every ounce of data they have about his fitness levels throughout the year and asses how to proceed. They'll probably have some season suggestions lined up for him and have a long talk.
Typically athletes are less focused on long term planning than the fans are, they have to focus on what's in front of them, so I am not even sure Pogi has more than a rough idea of what he wants to do next season.

Pogi want's to win all the big races, but even he can't peak for everything.

I am sure however that his goals next season will be spectacular in some way. It's wild we already forgot that a TdF contender is not supposed to win a race like RVV.

 

[hayneplane]

If Pog wins Lombardy #4 this year then winning 7 of them will be quite realistic. He still needs to get it done OFC.



Coppi won Lombardia 4 times in a row actually.

It would be a far bigger achievement to win 4 in a row in the 2020s than in Coppi era.

Between 1931 and 1950 only 3 different nations won monuments. Starting just from 2020 even with the incredible dominance of Pogacar and MVDP 6 different nations have won a monument.

 

[Krzysztof_O]

It would be a far bigger achievement to win 4 in a row in the 2020s than in Coppi era.

Between 1931 and 1950 only 3 different nations won monuments. Starting just from 2020 even with the incredible dominance of Pogacar and MVDP 6 different nations have won a monument.

Yes. It seems that Lombardia is like Pogi's home race. He can win it uphill, he can win it in a sprint and he can even win it after downhill attack (last year). It's really hard to find a way to beat him there. Let's see if this year he can continue the streak, he's the favourite OFC.

 

[Jan the Man]

Yes. It seems that Lombardia is like Pogi's home race. He can win it uphill, he can win it in a sprint and he can even win it after downhill attack (last year). It's really hard to find a way to beat him there. Let's see if this year he can continue the streak, he's the favourite OFC.

Traditionally it is the most hilly/mountainous of the monuments so naturally where he is strongest. It is difficult to see who beats him given the strength of his team and form, but always possible.

 

[Peyroteo94]

Pogacar can win 2025 WC even exausted. He is so much better than everybody else. He came 3rd in Glasgow and was terrible but only the best MVP we ever saw, was able to beat him (in fact, destroyed him). WVA and Pedersen were equal in a course tailormade for them (WVA, Mads and MVP) and not for Pogacar

 

[Peyroteo94]

Yes. It seems that Lombardia is like Pogi's home race. He can win it uphill, he can win it in a sprint and he can even win it after downhill attack (last year). It's really hard to find a way to beat him there. Let's see if this year he can continue the streak, he's the favourite OFC.

Only Mas can follow him if Pogacar isn't at his best. I don't know if he is partying too much.

 

[Peyroteo94]

Very possible.

For now I guess all is on the table, they'll evaluate a few weeks after Lombardia and run down every ounce of data they have about his fitness levels throughout the year and asses how to proceed. They'll probably have some season suggestions lined up for him and have a long talk.
Typically athletes are less focused on long term planning than the fans are, they have to focus on what's in front of them, so I am not even sure Pogi has more than a rough idea of what he wants to do next season.

Pogi want's to win all the big races, but even he can't peak for everything.

I am sure however that his goals next season will be spectacular in some way. It's wild we already forgot that a TdF contender is not supposed to win a race like RVV.

He said Vuelta and Tour Down Under are races he is looking forward.

 

[2WpK]

In 2025 he wins MSR, Tour, Vuelta and World's. That will be good enough.

 

[Peyroteo94]

In 2025 he wins MSR, Tour, Vuelta and World's. That will be good enough.

Let him win the Tour and his season will already be a success. I want him to win 5 Velo d'Or and break Contador's record.

 

[Eddy Evenepoel]

I hope he does as many one day races as possible until Liege, would be great to se the rainbow as much as possible. During one week races and Le Tour he’ll probably be wearing other jerseys…

 

[Oldermanish]

Very interesting to hear how Tratnik knew about Pogacar's attack. A true and inteligent racer if you ask me

Probably some fan, wearing a UAE polo shirt a feed zone yelled out "Go Pavel! There is a guy from Slovenia chasing at 45 seconds behind and the field is another minute."

 

[scribers]

I

Probably some fan, wearing a UAE polo shirt a feed zone yelled out "Go Pavel! There is a guy from Slovenia chasing at 45 seconds behind and the field is another minute."

There are certainly fans along the road who can see the situation in real time on their phones.

 

[RedheadDane]

Very interesting to hear how Tratnik knew about Pogacar's attack. A true and inteligent racer if you ask me

Probably some fan, wearing a UAE polo shirt a feed zone yelled out "Go Pavel! There is a guy from Slovenia chasing at 45 seconds behind and the field is another minute."

I think Tratnik would have been somewhat annoyed about being called 'Pavel'...

 

[Oldermanish]

I think Tratnik would have been somewhat annoyed about being called 'Pavel'...

Perhaps but the same guy was probably repeating himself to anyone that looked familiar? The moto guys in each group know, too.

 

[gunara]

The procycling Manager series. Just like Football Manager. But better obviously.

No way, FM is far from perfect, but comparing it to PCM is an insult.

(my last two posts are related to video games, rather embarassing for someone born in the 70s)

 

[Peyroteo94]

No way, FM is far from perfect, but comparing it to PCM is an insult.

(my last two posts are related to video games, rather embarassing for someone born in the 70s)

FM is the best game ever, way more complete than PCM. Still remember the time "Lance Niilstrung" was 85 in the mountains back in 2004 PCM.