Teams & Riders Tadej Pogačar discussion thread

[James M]

Pogi is #1 by far, and everyone else is a distant second, but wouldn't MVDP still be the favorite in P-R and even other classics if they were to face?

Putting aside the kind of races were Tadej would obviously have a hard time beating Pedersen, Philipsen, Girmay or certain pure sprinters.

I dont know abuot P-R if Pog wanted I would maybe take him over I dont know though I have to admit (and im a big MVDP fan) but the engine of Pog and even though as impressive and good MVDP is in that race (you could argue of the best in recent history even) I still would take Pog over him if he had it as a goal while admiting I dont know.

I think the hardest part for Pog to win is gonne be Sanremo and mainly duo the the downhill section and ofc the part that Poggio has no gradients and very easy to stay on wheel relative speaking. But the downhill if you get a seperation of 5sec you gonne have to lay the season on the line in order to stay ahead and even then it might not be enough for him vs MVDP on a downhill like that.

 

[James M]

The best scenario Pog can hope for in MSR is MVDP, he is for me both the wall who stops him and the guy who can help him. Best case scenario for Pog is IF MVDP rides with him when they get a seperation which is likely and that he dont wait for Philippsen(and that he is in contetion next time) And somewhat beat him in the sprint as a underdog but I think thats the best case scenario he can hope for.

Unless he next year gets a seperation big enough but then again how can he vs Mvdp on a hill as Poggio etc I just cant, physiological that shouldnt be possible. Maybe as someone said he actually launch early on Cipressa when he has gotten this good who knows but damn.

 

[Samu Cuenca]

I don't think you need to have anything against the guy to find the idea of the same guy winning all the time rather boring.

But if you had one of his bones, it would level the playing field again.

 

[scribers]

I dont either I meant especially then. But ofc I agree as I hope i said I get no problem if anyone think that I get it, its not hard to get its not everyone cup of tea thats fine and understandable.

You don’t have to apologize in this thread. If they have a problem with pog’s display of dominance they should stay away from this thread and go watch races he’s not in. He cant race them all so the sport has a lot to offer them still.

 

[RedheadDane]

But if you had one of his bones, it would level the playing field again.

It wasn't about having one of his bones, it was about having a bone against him. And... why would I do that?

He can race them all so the sport has a lot to offer them still.

Come again?

 

[Rule #9 apostle]

I don't think you need to have anything against the guy to find the idea of the same guy winning all the time rather boring.

Tbh, I find the endless postulations over what constitutes or not boring cycling far more mindnumblingly boring (and predictable) than anything happening in the races... And anyways, Pog races like 50 days a season, and wins 25. Theres hundreds of races on the calendar, plenty to choose from the rest of the year if your tired of watching him.

 

[Red Rick]

Positioning leading to the cipressa is everything. I did a review of last years race. Before the cipressa pogis team was driving hard at the front. Cameras could stay in the village bottle neck so we couldn’t see what happened, but at the base of the cipressa i think it was a few EF guys, all of the favorites, and pogi stuck behind them. Because pogi’s cipressa attempt was the worst kept secret in the peloton.

If pog and two capable climbers come out of that bottle neck first, he can gap and stay away.

Cipressa is a 9 minute 36kph climb.

Do people seriously believe anyone can make a race winning gap there?

 

[scribers]

Cipressa is a 9 minute 36kph climb.

Do people seriously believe anyone can make a race winning gap there?

It’s been done before. Or at least bruyneel says as much. A rather long time ago. But pogi does things that haven’t been done since a long time ago

 

[Armchair Cyclist]

Yes ofc. But nothing new either just more extreme imo since he raised the level a few bars even.
Im sure some dont like the predictability I get that no problem,
if I was given a choice to watch Thos Hushovd vs Niki Terpstra go at it in the biggest stage in the sport and it was really close and the suspension who was gonne win was high or watch Eddy Merckx plummet someone. I personally would choose to watch the latter

So you don't think it is more competitive (despite what you said), or that competitiveness is a good thing. Thanks for clarifying.

 

[Red Rick]

It’s been done before. Or at least bruyneel says as much. A rather long time ago. But pogi does things that haven’t been done since a long time ago

He does them on parcourses that favor individual strength.

I don't know if you've ever watched Milano Sanremo, but the peloton fighting for positioning before the Poggio alone kills any successful Cipressa move.

 

[RedheadDane]

For instance im only talking about myself if I was given a choice to watch Thos Hushovd vs Niki Terpstra go at it in the biggest stage in the sport and it was really close and the suspension who was gonne win was high or watch Eddy Merckx plummet someone. I personally would choose to watch the latter anyday of the week,

How old are you?
You know you're only allowed to watch replays of Merckx racing when you're 60, right? Those are the rules.

 

[Salvarani]

I don't think you need to have anything against the guy to find the idea of the same guy winning all the time rather boring.

For some it may be like that.

But a lot of people seemed to like Bolt and someone like Duplantis now. Wants to follow them and creates a big interest that draws people in. They want to see them win.

There is two sides of the spectrum here and I think the ones finding it boring in the real world, outside of this forum, is in the minority.

However, on this kind of niche message board with a longstanding community with knowledgable posters... there will probably be a lot closer in the opinion of an individual. More black or white so to speak. There is not the same type of rivarly or like/dislike amongst the general public. They are not dying on a hill because of their take or opinion on something, which be rooted in other things.

 

[James M]

How old are you?
You know you're only allowed to watch replays of Merckx racing when you're 60, right? Those are the rules.

Early 20. Yeah those are the rules thats why I havent

 

[RedheadDane]

Early 20. Yeah those are the rules thats why I havent

Yeah, you'll have to wait another 40ish years. Sorry, kiddo!

 

[Rule #9 apostle]

I dont know abuot P-R if Pog wanted I would maybe take him over I dont know though I have to admit (and im a big MVDP fan) but the engine of Pog and even though as impressive and good MVDP is in that race (you could argue of the best in recent history even) I still would take Pog over him if he had it as a goal while admiting I dont know.

I think the hardest part for Pog to win is gonne be Sanremo and mainly duo the the downhill section and ofc the part that Poggio has no gradients and very easy to stay on wheel relative speaking. But the downhill if you get a seperation of 5sec you gonne have to lay the season on the line in order to stay ahead and even then it might not be enough for him vs MVDP on a downhill like that.

I think both seem pretty unlikely actually. Probably stupid to bet against him at this point, but if you gave me the over/under on pog winning either (never mind both) I would probably opt against it (and look really stupid)

PR is such a specialized PR, I only see it happen in years time, when Pog's bored of the Tours and just gives it one go for the sake of it. By then, Mvpd might be over the top, and who knows. But I cant see him do it unless he bulks up quite a bit.

With MSR, I don't see him riding everyone off his wheel. It seems impossible. However, if he tries for the next 7 years, who knows, one year they might crash, or puncture, or get group 2 syndrome or whatever behind him. But Sagan was a lab-built San Remo winner, and even he could not get even one after close to a decade as the out and out favourite.

 

[Armchair Cyclist]

You don’t have to apologize in this thread. If they have a problem with pog’s display of dominance they should stay away from this thread and go watch races he’s not in. He cant race them all so the sport has a lot to offer them still.

No. Anyone can post in any thread, and rider theads are not only for fans of said rider.

 

[scribers]

No. Anyone can post in any thread, and rider theads are not only for fans of said rider.

I didn’t say that

 

[YavorD]

They should just make a jersey of Giro, Tour, WC in same season tribute to him. It wont happen again in our lifetime unless he does it..

In 2018 Dumoulin was 2nd 2nd, 4th. I know that's not exactly winning but if Dumoulin, without being great 1 day racer and in a weak team can be that close, it's certainly possible in our lifetime. If we assume we'll live for 30-40 years more.

 

[Salvarani]

In 2018 Dumoulin was 2nd 2nd, 4th. I know that's not exactly winning but if Dumoulin, without being great 1 day racer and in a weak team can be that close, it's certainly possible in our lifetime. If we assume we'll live for 30-40 years more.

Great example. Riders have been close or had it in their locker at least.

Riders like Valverde and Nibali could have been able.

Contador.

Cadel.

Schleck brothers.

 

[James M]

In 2018 Dumoulin was 2nd 2nd, 4th. I know that's not exactly winning but if Dumoulin, without being great 1 day racer and in a weak team can be that close, it's certainly possible in our lifetime. If we assume we'll live for 30-40 years more.

Sure is possible. Its just a rare feat and up untill now deemed impossible in modern day cycling. But lets hope for that as nothing would be better imo.

 

[YavorD]

Sure is possible. Its just a rare feat and up untill now deemed impossible in modern day cycling. But lets hope for that as nothing would be better imo.

The double was also deemed impossible but nobody had the perfect conditions Pogacar had this year (not taking anything from his level in 2024). Peak Froome was capable of doing it, peak Contador as well, possibly Armstrong as well had he cared about anything else than the Tour.

Winning the WC is situational, however (that's why I don't think we have to put so much emphasis on that). You ready depend on the course. Put a Copenhagen, Doha or Glasgow course this year and Pogacar doesn't win the triple crown.

 

[James M]

The double was also deemed impossible but nobody had the perfect conditions Pogacar had this year (not taking anything from his level in 2024). Peak Froome was capable of doing it, peak Contador as well, possibly Armstrong as well had he cared about anything else than the Tour.

Love me some Contador prime that was a awesome rider. Agree what your saying but its still different for me from that to Pogacar , also the way he did it in what manner stands out, numbers etc which are out of this world and never been seen. That beeing said I agree with what your saying though. Lets just hope for that as cycling can become dull going from getting spoiled from this to something else very fast.

 

[RedheadDane]

Put a Copenhagen, Doha or Glasgow course this year and Pogacar doesn't win the triple crown.

Are you sure about that?

 

[James M]

Are you sure about that?

Agree, this Pogacar in Glasgow without the nagging injury from last year and the crazy level he is now. My money is on him there for sure. Copenhagen etc indeed. To go at that distance he did in WC this year and stay away I think its hard to grasp how much better he is to be able to do that like other have said too, thats just pure another level.

 

[Salvarani]

Agree, this Pogacar in Glasgow without the nagging injury from last year and the crazy level he is now. My money is on him there for sure. Copenhagen etc indeed. To go at that distance he did in WC this year and stay away I think its hard to grasp how much better he is to be able to do that like other have said too, thats just pure another level.

GOAT level.