Winning 3 WC is far easier in a team like Spain (Freire) or Belgium (Merckx) than Slovakia. So Sagan's palmares in WC is more impressive for me.
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But he can't drop a normal WVA or MVP there.I think after reading Pogacar saying “I am already thinking about MSR and trying something different,” it doesn’t take much imagination to mean he will launch on the Cipressa. I think that will be his best chance to win too.
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?But he can't drop a normal WVA or MVP there.
MVP is not going to be dropped by Pogacar unless they bring Manie back.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?
This. And Sagan was a better sprinter than Pogacar. Pogacar has to drop everybody, other teams will not work with him and will try to antecipate Pogacar's attack
Without a guarantee pogi has to focus on the known opportunity this year. No vuelta this yearNo but rumours are that 2026 WC will be hilly like GP Montreal and 2027 WC will be in the French Alps. They will not make a flat course there. It's even possible that we will have the hardest WC ever.
But others will not work with himPogačar doesn't need to drop everyone, he just needs to drop riders that are faster than him like Van der Poel, Van Aert and Pedersen. At least in Rwanda with more than 5000 meters of elevation that shouldn't be an issue
Of course not. Specialization only started in the 90sWere there even sprinters in the 60’s and 70’s? Or is that just what they called good riders who couldn’t climb well?
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.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?
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.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.
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.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.
Basically he needs luck however all eyes will be on himLogically 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.
Or just a moment of hesitation from the others.Basically he needs luck however all eyes will be on him
MDVP sacrificed for Philipsen. He would have won MSR if he wanted in the sprint against pogacar.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.
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.MDVP sacrificed for Philipsen. He would have won MSR if he wanted in the sprint against pogacar.
Next year, Jasper will not be a factor. UAE will make the race harder.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.
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.But others will not work with him
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.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.Not enough.
Merckx won 19 monuments, 3 worlds, 11 Grand Tours.
525 victories.
According to PCS, he has 279 winsHow 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.
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.According to PCS, he has 279 wins
But it has all stage wins of Merckx.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.
It's quite normal, since Merckx is the biggest superstar ever of this sport.But it has all stage wins of Merckx.