Teams & Riders Tadej Pogačar discussion thread

[Peyroteo94]

I think already at the start of last year he looked skinny without much baby fat. But he doesn't seem bigger this year ahead of cobbled classics.

He looks very skinny. Maybe it is his bib however he doesn't look so bulky (in the legs) like he was in 2023 for example.

 

[Peyroteo94]

His TT looks like other years. He will never be good enough to challenge top guys like Remco, Ganna or Tarling in these flat TTs.

 

[Red Rick]

His TT looks like other years. He will never be good enough to challenge top guys like Remco, Ganna or Tarling in these flat TTs.

Probably not.

But I would also think he prepared less for UAE than the previous times he's raced it because it's a dumb sandbox race that's zone 1 for 90% of the time. So I think it's not great for the rest of your spring if you actually go and do specific prep and taper a lot for this race.

 

[James M]

But I would also think he prepared less for UAE than the previous times he's raced it because it's a dumb sandbox race that's zone 1 for 90% of the time. So I think it's not great for the rest of your spring if you actually go and do specific prep and taper a lot for this race.

Its a long spring for him. Strade to Liege, a very long stretch. Sure Pogacar is at the lower end of the trajectory than Tarling is on the form curve, he looked really good to me for a feb flat 12km TT.

 

[Peyroteo94]

Probably not.

But I would also think he prepared less for UAE than the previous times he's raced it because it's a dumb sandbox race that's zone 1 for 90% of the time. So I think it's not great for the rest of your spring if you actually go and do specific prep and taper a lot for this race.

I think he never prepared UAE Tour or other race in February. His base level is just so good and better than everyone else, he just wins easily. One thing I notice is his trunk looks more flexible and this increase his aerodynamics.

 

[BubbaChuck]

First time pog went over 55kmh.he looks helluva strong for that gc body.

 

[BubbaChuck]

fastest tt in pogs career.but he is bulit for climbs,dont get it twisted.showdown is coming in vuelta nad tour.

 

[Peyroteo94]

First time pog went over 55kmh.he looks helluva strong for that gc body.

Oh, great. But I think this has more to do with faster bikes year after year than a massive improvement from him. Tarling went almost 57 kph. Probably the fastest TT ever (or close to).

 

[BubbaChuck]

tarling went same as in vuelta.

 

[Monsi]

Nevertheless, I won't look too much into Pogi's performance today. He did a great TT and took a lot of time from the other GC contenders. But we know his best TTs will come in the Grand Tours, especially the Tour, where he's at his peak.

 

[Peyroteo94]

tarling went same as in vuelta.

Yes. It is true, Mcnulty went over 57 kph. Insane.
Maybe this 180° bend took a lot of speed, disallowing Tarling to be faster than 57 kph

 

[Peyroteo94]

UAE DS Gianetti assures "Roubaix is not in the planning" for Tadej Pogacar

Mauro Gianetti leads Tadej Pogacar at the UAE Team Emirates - XRG team car throughout most of the year, and this would potentially happen if the World Champion is racing Paris-Roubaix. He didn't give...

cyclinguptodate.com

 

[assisting]

I forget some of the movies were there is some ultra complicated equation on a blackboard and a non student, janitor, casual passersby solves the problem.

Nice movie. Jason Bourne hunts good will.

What's up with the handlebars? Are riser bars more aero?

Looks like it. Cervelo uses a similar solution. Form follows function.

 

[James M]

fastest tt in pogs career.but he is bulit for climbs,dont get it twisted.

Seems leaner this year at this stage and yet really impressive power numbers for a flat 12 KM tt in februar. Looking good. He is gonne rip the mountains apart this season.

 

[jmdirt]

Form follows function.

Not always...

 

[Peyroteo94]

Seems leaner this year at this stage and yet really impressive power numbers for a flat 12 KM tt in februar. Looking good. He is gonne rip the mountains apart this season.

He seems more aero which means less power at the same speed compared to previous years

 

[Tanakka]

Here are Pog's results in ITTs in UAE:
In 2021 he finished 4th, 24 secs behind the winner on a 13 km time trial.
In 2022 he finished 4th, 18 secs behind the winner on a 9 km time trial.
I'm writing this so we can have a reference for tomorrow's ITT.

In 2025 he finished 3rd, 18 secs behind the winner on a 12.2km time trial.

 

[Krzysztof_O]

Decent TT by Pogi but nothing spectacular. On par with his previous UAE Tour TTs.
We won't know anything regarding his form (compared to last year) until at least Jebel Hafeet or Strade.

 

[James M]

Early early days. Imo seems very decent and above anything sensible. If he would beat Tarling in a 12KM flat tt in feb I might be alone but would get worried. Strade/MSR to Liege is a long stretch.

 

[Unchained]

Early early days. Imo seems very decent and above anything sensible. If he would beat Tarling in a 12KM flat tt in feb I might be alone but would get worried. Strade/MSR to Liege is a long stretch.

I am almost sure that it's the internet and not Pogacar that expects him to win every race he enters.
Guy has great speed, losing to Tarling is an expected outcome to all but a very elite few..and lots of data showing Pog has lots of volume so he may lose in 12k all out, but when he races in 200k events results will be different

 

[Krzysztof_O]

I am almost sure that it's the internet and not Pogacar that expects him to win every race he enters.
Guy has great speed, losing to Tarling is an expected outcome to all but a very elite few..and lots of data showing Pog has lots of volume so he may lose in 12k all out, but when he races in 200k events results will be different

Make no mistake, Pog has incredible 10-15 minute power. He's a VO2max monster. It wasn't his profile though (compared to pure flat TT specialist like Tarling or Remco) plus his form isn't the highest yet of course.

 

[Peyroteo94]

Yup, everyone expect to him everything. He can't. He is a top10 time triallist on flat roads, probably top5 in long flat TTs but he can't compete with 3 guys.

 

[Peyroteo94]

Make no mistake, Pog has incredible 10-15 minute power. He's a VO2max monster. It wasn't his profile though (compared to pure flat TT specialist like Tarling or Remco) plus his form isn't the highest yet of course.

No one is in peak shape in February.

 

[Peyroteo94]

I think he will disappoint us tomorrow and do a "Prati di Tivo".

 

[Krzysztof_O]

I think he will disappoint us tomorrow and do a "Prati di Tivo".

He will sprint to the line tomorrow (or at most a stomp from a few hundred maters), Jebel Hafeet should be a solo attack.