Teams & Riders Tadej Pogačar discussion thread

[tobydawq]

You have to be prepared to loss the race to win. Pogacar has more chances of winning from a 4 man group than from a 2

Yes, I know, that's why I said that in theory class, it could be the right thing to do but in reality it is never going to happen.

 

[gregrowlerson]

Yeah.

It was also a very clear tactic by Pog to go as early as possible on every hill to make the sharp efforts longer. Normally you'd sort of see some hills be a bit of a waiting game until the steep part, like the Muur van Geraardsbergen would always be. Also Pog has huge seated power.

I think this trend of De Ronde being much more of a hilly classic in scenarios will continue in the coming years. It's different from the other Flemish ones due to the much harder hilly zone, and it's a bit hidden by the fact that we see VdP and WvA primarily as cobbled riders, but they're a lot more versatile than Boonen and Cancellara were.

I really don't remember that when Boonen and Canc dominated De Ronde they would just go and crush every hill they could.

Red Rick's new signature: Fabian Cancellara AND Tom Boonen are like The Black album...

 

[gregrowlerson]

How easier/harder would it be in his body constantly riding a schedule like this every year vs like Contador when he’d ride at least 4 stage races plus one day sometimes before June? Crashes aside.

My guess is that it would be similarly physically taxing for Pogacar, but even more mentally draining.

 

[Blanco]

You have to be prepared to loss the race to win. Pogacar has more chances of winning from a 4 man group than from a 2

I don't think so. That only increases Van Baarle's chances. Van Der Poel wouldn't let Pogacar go no matter what.
Pogacar, if he was the stronger one, and I think he slightly was, should've kept the pace high and do the longer spint. That was his best chance.

 

[topt]

How would that work? So, after making him die a thousand deaths on the Paterberg, Pogacar - the reigning double Tour champion and double reigning monument winner - should just say, nah, now you're the best, and I expect a ride home to the line.

Maybe that works in theory class but in practice it's never going to happen.

Well, I dont think Pog really cares if he is second or 10th, If VDP wanted to win (and he was the big favorite after the last climb) he would work; I never understood why would you lead a sprinter to the finish line

 

[topt]

Exactly. Also MvDP could just have sat up as well, knowing he had the best sprint and waited for the chasers, why would he give a ***, Pog would have been the one to lose out.

not really based on the end result

 

[Blanco]

Well, I dont think Pog really cares if he is second or 10th, If VDP wanted to win (and he was the big favorite after the last climb) he would work; I never understood why would you lead a sprinter to the finish line

Van Der Poel would've wait for Van Baarle and Madouas, those 2 will work together with him, and ultimately Pog would start to work also. Outcome would probably be the same.

 

[Peyroteo94]

Can he win fleche? I don't think so but if somehow he manage to win it, we will probably look for the most dominant season in the last 30 years

 

[Krzysztof_O]

Can he win fleche? I don't think so but if somehow he manage to win it, we will probably look for the most dominant season in the last 30 years

He's one of top contenders for sure, I rate only Ala's chances a bit higher (and Rog's chances similar if he's healthy).

 

[Red Rick]

Normally I'd rate Rog higher than Pog for Fleche specifically. But this year not for obvious reasons. I think only Alaphilippe can stop Pog unless Pog decides to randomly have an off day or ride for Hirschi or something like taht.

I'm curious I can see Pog actually ride it a bit like AvdB and just accelerate seated at like 500m to go

 

[KZD]

Normally I'd rate Rog higher than Pog for Fleche specifically. But this year not for obvious reasons. I think only Alaphilippe can stop Pog unless Pog decides to randomly have an off day or ride for Hirschi or something like taht.

I'm curious I can see Pog actually ride it a bit like AvdB and just accelerate seated at like 500m to go

I still think Alaphilippe should beat Pogi under normal circumstances but it wouldn't surprise me to see him attacking before Mur d'Huy to create some selection

 

[Monsi]

Weather forecast in Liege a week before the race indicates possible rain. And we know someone who definitely loves the rain.

 

[Red Rick]

Weather forecast in Liege a week before the race indicates possible rain. And we know someone who definitely loves the rain.

Might get 2nd after Nibali

 

[gregrowlerson]

Might get 2nd after Nibali

That would be most memorable.

 

[Skijumper Roglic fan]

Tadej‘s Fleche Wallonne today was not so good… 12th rank, beaten by riders like Molard or Vuillermoz.

Tadej is often slow on Wednesdays before a big race on Sunday. On Sunday, however, he normally is much better then. I expect a top shape Tadej next Sunday in LBL.

 

[Monsi]

Tadej‘s Fleche Wallonne today was not so good… 12th rank, beaten by riders like Molard or Vuillermoz.

Tadej is often slow on Wednesdays before a big race on Sunday. On Sunday, however, he normally is much better then. I expect a top shape Tadej next Sunday in LBL.

Yeah that is Pogi's MO right now ahead of a Monument. He shows some sort of "weakness" on a race close to the big race and then on the Monument itself, he turns up in tip top shape. But then again, he has not yet really contended for a podium spot at Fleche.

 

[Krzysztof_O]

Tadej‘s Fleche Wallonne today was not so good… 12th rank, beaten by riders like Molard or Vuillermoz.

Tadej is often slow on Wednesdays before a big race on Sunday. On Sunday, however, he normally is much better then. I expect a top shape Tadej next Sunday in LBL.

So true! Tadej doesn't like Wednesdays, he prefers weekends like all of us. He cracked on Ventoux on Wednesday, he was distanced on Loze on Wednesday as well as in Milano-Torino (before Lombardia). He even had fake COVID on Wednesday (before Liege victory). Can't wait to Sunday demolition, bring it on!

 

[Extinction]

Whatever the reasons behind Pogcar's performance, it was notheless surprising that he was outgunned by so many to the line. Perhaps being in such good form from UAE Tour through TA and Flanders indicates he is in a downward turn? Or maybe he just isn't good on the Mur de Huy? Only a first go at it, but he was certainly below expectations. On the other hand, Alaphilippe wasn't in the race either at the end, although perhaps this has to do with marking Tadej too long, thus betting on the wrong horse in a manner of speaking. Whatever the case, suddenly Liege is looking a more open race than previoulsy expected.

 

[Red Rick]

It was apparently too hot for Pog today luckily colder weather and rain is predicted for Sunday.

 

[Extinction]

It was apparently too hot for Pog today luckily colder weather and rain is predicted for Sunday.

Well if it were too hot today, what is he to do in July in France?

 

[Red Rick]

Well if it were too hot today, what is he to do in July in France?

Be only slightly overpowered

 

[Lequack]

His biggest rival Vingegaard was dropped, so he didn't need to push it any more.

 

[JosefK]

His biggest rival Vingegaard was dropped, so he didn't need to push it any more.

Yes, I was surprised to see Jonas dropping so early. Maybe an off day or maybe he is doing something different with training to peak for other goals.

 

[Lequack]

‘I’m fully motivated for Sunday. I don’t see this as a weakness. It’s a one-day race and this happens,’ says two-time Tour de France winner.

Tadej Pogačar shrugs off suggestions of weakness after fading in La Flèche Wallonne

‘I’m fully motivated for Sunday. I don’t see this as a weakness. It’s a one-day race and this happens,’ says two-time Tour de France winner.

www.velonews.com

 

[bNator]

Whatever the reasons behind Pogcar's performance, it was notheless surprising that he was outgunned by so many to the line. Perhaps being in such good form from UAE Tour through TA and Flanders indicates he is in a downward turn? Or maybe he just isn't good on the Mur de Huy? Only a first go at it, but he was certainly below expectations. On the other hand, Alaphilippe wasn't in the race either at the end, although perhaps this has to do with marking Tadej too long, thus betting on the wrong horse in a manner of speaking. Whatever the case, suddenly Liege is looking a more open race than previoulsy expected.

He did try in 2020 soon after he won TDF but his performance was very similar to what he showed today…