Teams & Riders Tadej Pogačar discussion thread

[Luthor]

There is a small possibility UAE could consider a Giro Vuelta double. It's the easiest double and definitely doable without risking of burning out. At the same time he could become the youngest to hold all 3 GTs, something that Bernal also has the chance at the current Vuelta. That's quite an interesting record, and if he does it next year, it would be a record very hard to beat.

While Tour is the most important overall, Giro and Vuelta are beating Tour in terms of viewership in their own countries and maybe some others as well. If you combine them, the viewership difference is not that large. After already winning 2 TdFs and therefore already well known to TdF public, I think the reach for new viewers would be higher with Giro-Vuelta. You would also get 2 big focal points in terms of coverage.

I still think he would go for Tour but going for Giro-Vuelta also makes sense.

 

[SafeBet]

I feel like Tour favorites always talk about doing the Giro before making the schedule and going to the Tour.

Unless your name is Tom Dumoulin.

 

[Red Rick]

Unless your name is Tom Dumoulin.

Could've won all of 2017-2019 Tours tbh.

 

[bNator]

That's the problem with not going to the Tour. Once you're second best, you're not likely to win it anymore. It may turn out that 2019 was the only chance for Roglič...

 

[dusty red roads]

Nah, look at Cadel!

 

[SHAD0W93]

I think next year focusing on the hilly classics, Tour, and then going to the Vuelta to see what happens would be good.

 

[Bolder]

It's going to be very difficult to persuade UAE that he should be allowed to skip the Tour. It's by far the most exposure a nonindigenous sponsor can get.

 

[yaco]

The most important race by far for the UAE is the Tour of the UAE.

 

[Lequack]

The most important race by far for the UAE is the Tour of the UAE.

It's probably important but definitely not more than TDF.

 

[yaco]

It's probably important but definitely not more than TDF.

Strange how their marquee rider is always on the start line.

 

[Krzysztof_O]

There is a small possibility UAE could consider a Giro Vuelta double.

From a secret source I got a chat transcription between the two Slovenian stars. Their plans are clear now:

Pog: Hey Primoz, how are you doing? What are the plans for 2022?
Rog: Hey. Obviously the Tour. Finally I have to win it, eh. Hopefully I'll stay on my bike. And yours?
Pog: Not sure yet. I'm hesitating.
Rog: Giro is a beautiful race, you should try it. Remco will be there and cold weather as well!
Pog: You are right. It's time to dent Remco's growing ego before it's too late. I'll do a Coppi on some snowy day!
Rog: That's great and don't forget about Vuelta. I beat you there 2 years back and you haven't won it yet.
Pog: This is a great plan, the double. How about you, Primoz? Your further plans.
Rog: No worries, I will win the Tour easily (the strongest rival will be my helper) and then I'm gone to restart my ski-jumping career and get another Olympic Gold. The floor will be all yours.
Pog: What if you fall at the Tour?
Rog: No risk, no fun, eh. After ski-jumping seasons maybe I'll be riding Tour of Basque Country, just for fun. Maybe I will win it 10 times in a row.
Pog: So all 3 GT for Slovenia in 2022!
Rog: Why not, eh?

 

[bNator]

Strange how their marquee rider is always on the start line.

So that’s proven then. UAE tour > TDF.

 

[IndurainsTdF1994]

A

From a secret source I got a chat transcription between the two Slovenian stars. Their plans are clear now:

Pog: Hey Primoz, how are you doing? What are the plans for 2022?
Rog: Hey. Obviously the Tour. Finally I have to win it, eh. Hopefully I'll stay on my bike. And yours?
Pog: Not sure yet. I'm hesitating.
Rog: Giro is a beautiful race, you should try it. Remco will be there and cold weather as well!
Pog: You are right. It's time to dent Remco's growing ego before it's too late. I'll do a Coppi on some snowy day!
Rog: That's great and don't forget about Vuelta. I beat you there 2 years back and you haven't won it yet.
Pog: This is a great plan, the double. How about you, Primoz? Your further plans.
Rog: No worries, I will win the Tour easily (the strongest rival will be my helper) and then I'm gone to restart my ski-jumping career and get another Olympic Gold. The floor will be all yours.
Pog: What if you fall at the Tour?
Rog: No risk, no fun, eh. After ski-jumping seasons maybe I'll be riding Tour of Basque Country, just for fun. Maybe I will win it 10 times in a row.
Pog: So all 3 GT for Slovenia in 2022!
Rog: Why not, eh?

The use of English makes me suspect this is a fake, though the "eh"s are convincing.

 

[SHAD0W93]

A


The use of English makes me suspect this is a fake, though the "eh"s are convincing.

Everyone would suspect Slovene, no one is expecting English. The perfect trap.

 

[yaco]

So that’s proven then. UAE tour > TDF.

The UAE tour is a very important race for the sponsor - The prestige of their team winning this race is high on their wish list - Or to put it another way, then if Pogacar is fit, he will always ride the UAE Tour.

 

[BlueRoads]

The UAE tour is a very important race for the sponsor - The prestige of their team winning this race is high on their wish list - Or to put it another way, then if Pogacar is fit, he will always ride the UAE Tour.

True, although it might be better for Pogacar not to do it in regard to whole-season planning.

 

[Bonimenier]

True, although it might be better for Pogacar not to do it in regard to whole-season planning.

Maybe that's why they got Almeida. Almeida leader at the UAE Tour, Pogacar everywhere else.

 

[TourOfSardinia]

Pogacar will race tomorrow the men's-women's relay (over 44.8 km: two laps of the time trial route) together with his girlfriend Urska Zigart, Slovenian national time trial champion in 2020, with whom he often trains by bicycle in the free time.

it says in Italian here: https://www.gazzetta.it/Ciclismo/07...giano-anche-ganna-pogacar-4201047263475.shtml

 

[Lequack]

Today he's riding the European champs Mixed Relay TTT (mixed women/men TT), together with his girlfriend.
Tomorrow he also does the ITT and then the road race on Friday.

 

[Krzysztof_O]

Today he's riding the European champs Mixed Relay TTT (mixed women/men TT), together with his girlfriend.
Tomorrow he also does the ITT and then the road race on Friday.

Nah, Slovenia is not on the list anymore. Pogi must have argued with Urska. He'll start in tomorrow's TT though.

 

[Lequack]

Nah, Slovenia is not on the list anymore. Pogi must have argued with Urska. He'll start in tomorrow's TT though.

Oh well thats unfortunate.

 

[Red Rick]

Oh well thats unfortunate.

He thought it was a single TTT with no relays so he could just stare at Urska's hindquarters when not taking a turn.

 

[Krzysztof_O]

He thought it was a single TTT with no relays so he could just stare at Urska's hindquarters when not taking a turn.

Or other girls'

 

[Red Rick]

Or other girls'

Mixed relay only a reaction to the Babes on bikes thread being removed.

 

[johnymax]

Don't worry, he is still on track to win the WC ITT title. Like before the Tour when he gets beaten by Tratnik and Polanc in the TT nationals, then two weeks later destroys everybody in the first ITT of the Tour.