Teams & Riders Tadej Pogačar discussion thread

[Peyroteo94]

Were there even sprinters in the 60’s and 70’s? Or is that just what they called good riders who couldn’t climb well?

Of course not. Specialization only started in the 90s

 

[hayneplane]

It will be hard but not impossible. But even if a small group of 4/5 go with him and reach the Poggio before the peloton, surely his chances are higher in that situation than if it’s a group of 30/40?

It would certainly be advantageous for him if riders like Van Gils and Healy could cling onto his back wheel as they are good enough to be their teams best card at a top result from that point in the race, have a current palmares where riding to secure a monument podium would be huge for them and heavily favoured to be dusted in any final sprint by Pogacar.

 

[Poursuivant]

It would certainly be advantageous for him if riders like Van Gils and Healy could cling onto his back wheel as they are good enough to be their teams best card at a top result from that point in the race, have a current palmares where riding to secure a monument podium would be huge for them and heavily favoured to be dusted in any final sprint by Pogacar.

If there was a small group, you would imagine WVA and MVDP would be in there, MVDP might sit on if Phillipsen is behind but it would be in WVA’s best interests to get to the Poggio without any top sprinters latching on.

 

[hayneplane]

If there was a small group, you would imagine WVA and MVDP would be in there, MVDP might sit on if Phillipsen is behind but it would be in WVA’s best interests to get to the Poggio without any top sprinters latching on.

Logically yes they could expect to still be there. My scenario imagined that they are either not able to follow immediately or opt to trust in their teammates to lead a chase. It would be far more in Wouts interests tactically to put Philipsen, Pedersen, Girmay etc fully out the back.

 

[Peyroteo94]

Logically yes they could expect to still be there. My scenario imagined that they are either not able to follow immediately or opt to trust in their teammates to lead a chase. It would be far more in Wouts interests tactically to put Philipsen, Pedersen, Girmay etc fully out the back.

Basically he needs luck however all eyes will be on him

 

[Salvarani]

Basically he needs luck however all eyes will be on him

Or just a moment of hesitation from the others.

Last year on Poggio... MVDP had to sacrifice himself in the end. Otherwise Pog would have been gone.

Small margins and the race is unpredictable that way.

What works one year, might not work the other. Depending on many different factors.

 

[Froome]

Or just a moment of hesitation from the others.

Last year on Poggio... MVDP had to sacrifice himself in the end. Otherwise Pog would have been gone.

Small margins and the race is unpredictable that way.

What works one year, might not work the other. Depending on many different factors.

MDVP sacrificed for Philipsen. He would have won MSR if he wanted in the sprint against pogacar.

 

[Cookster15]

MDVP sacrificed for Philipsen. He would have won MSR if he wanted in the sprint against pogacar.

Maybe. Depends what legs Phillipson still had after the Cipressa, Poggio and 300km @ 45km/h. In a normal sprint you’d be right. But not MSR.

 

[Peyroteo94]

Maybe. Depends what legs Phillipson still had after the Cipressa, Poggio and 300km @ 45km/h. In a normal sprint you’d be right. But not MSR.

Next year, Jasper will not be a factor. UAE will make the race harder.

 

[YavorD]

But others will not work with him

I can perfectly well see a situation where a rider or 2 of "lesser calibre" could work with Pogacar in order to guarantee a medal for themselves.
For plenty of riders Worlds silver could be career achievement.

G1 dynamic is different to G2 dynamic.

 

[2WpK]

Not enough.

Merckx won 19 monuments, 3 worlds, 11 Grand Tours.

525 victories.

If Pogi has a few more totally dominant seasons like 2024, he will likely be regarded as the GOAT. Numbers wise, no one will ever catch Merckx....that era was totally different and will not return.

 

[SHAD0W93]

Not enough.

Merckx won 19 monuments, 3 worlds, 11 Grand Tours.

525 victories.

How many of the 525 were criteriums though. Not to mention there was multiple stages on one day for stage races. You can’t argue with his monument, worlds, and grand tour win success but numbers were inflated in other ways.

 

[Peyroteo94]

How many of the 525 were criteriums though. Not to mention there was multiple stages on one day for stage races. You can’t argue with his monument, worlds, and grand tour win success but numbers were inflated in other ways.

According to PCS, he has 279 wins

 

[SHAD0W93]

According to PCS, he has 279 wins

PCS isn’t complete all the time though for that time period and previously, I think someone before said 1990 or 1995 is when it starts becoming all incumbent. Not to mention some of the Giro or Vuelta editions it doesn’t have some stage results.

 

[Peyroteo94]

PCS isn’t complete all the time though for that time period and previously, I think someone before said 1990 or 1995 is when it starts becoming all incumbent. Not to mention some of the Giro or Vuelta editions it doesn’t have some stage results.

But it has all stage wins of Merckx.

 

[Froome]

But it has all stage wins of Merckx.

It's quite normal, since Merckx is the biggest superstar ever of this sport.

 

[Salvarani]

So happy that Pog is now recognized as the undisputable GOAT after his historic season.

Just amazing.

THE GOAT

 

[scribers]

Cavendish would have thumped Merckx in a fantasy matchup at the Singapore criterium

 

[James M]

He seems to be hanging around in the jungle

Now ive seen that too, a Goat in the jungle. Didnt know Goats inhabited and thrive in the jungle.

 

[SHAD0W93]

But it has all stage wins of Merckx.

Tour was bigger than them so it maybe made it easier to get.

 

[Peyroteo94]

He is training in Italy. I thought he was in Slovenia

 

[Peyroteo94]

“Jonas Vingegaard needs to move up in all areas" to match Tadej Pogacar admits the Dane's coach Tim Heemskerk

The epic Maillot Jaune rivalry between Tadej Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard took another twist in 2024 as the Slovenian leader of UAE Team Emirates regained cycling's most iconic jersey. If Vingegaard i...

cyclinguptodate.com

Vingegaard is downplaying his chances and putting pressure on Pogacar. Smart move!

 

[scribers]

That makes a lot of us smart too

 

[Oldermanish]

Well Slovakia had a worse team than Slovenia and Sagan manage to win it 3 times so I wouldn't rule out Pogi winning it 4 times. Even if he wins it 'just' 3 times, he would already equal Merckx and he can also get something like a WCTT or the Olympic RR gold too.

Sagan's career proved he was a self-sufficient animal. He lulled the competition to sleep and made decisive moves at the end of the race. He was magical in that sense for the WC's.
Pogacar, as much as he can do couldn't beat MvP in a small break. After this year's title I doubt anyone will give him any slack at all making future titles tougher to come by. That said; if the competition doesn't race to win but only not to lose too badly then he can do whatever he wants.

 

[Oldermanish]

“Jonas Vingegaard needs to move up in all areas" to match Tadej Pogacar admits the Dane's coach Tim Heemskerk

The epic Maillot Jaune rivalry between Tadej Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard took another twist in 2024 as the Slovenian leader of UAE Team Emirates regained cycling's most iconic jersey. If Vingegaard i...

cyclinguptodate.com

Vingegaard is downplaying his chances and putting pressure on Pogacar. Smart move!

It's reality. He has to rebuild his confidence and his form so self-realization is the first step. The other steps are much bigger, though.
Pogacar, Remco, Primoz will all be tests for Jonas.