Teams & Riders Tadej Pogačar discussion thread

[Krzysztof_O]

Wednesday will be a recovery ride, he will only have to go deep the last km.

Physically one can treat a race like a training session (with a strong interval at the end in this case). However, there's a mental aspect as well - pressure to compete and get the desired result. So no rest on Wednesday. Freshness in this aspect is important as well cause next Sunday he will likely have to face a red-hot Evenepoel.

 

[Netserk]

Physically one can treat a race like a training session (with a strong interval at the end in this case). However, there's a mental aspect as well - pressure to compete and get the desired result. So no rest on Wednesday. Freshness in this aspect is important as well cause next Sunday he will likely have to face a red-hot Evenepoel.

Pogi has the mentally needed to pin on a number and race whenever and whereever.

 

[Didinho]

His season looks ridiculous so far. 17 race days and 11 wins.

I'm a bit disappointed there won't be Roglic to stomp him on Mur de Huy this time. Who can beat him...Teuns, Woods?

Teuns has not been good mentally the last weeks, split with his girlfriend and got sick this week.

 

[Salvarani]

Pogi has the mentally needed to pin on a number and race whenever and whereever.

He wins a lot, but does not seem to crumble on the pressure he has on his shoulders. He seems to like taking on a challenge and think it is fun, he looks like he just has fun when he rides, and if he doesnt win there is always the next race.

 

[gunara]

Liking him used to be okay, even almost cool just three years ago, now it feels like cheating. All these console-command level of easiness...

 

[Peyroteo94]

Even today he was on training mode. The way he finished Amstel (very relaxed) was very different from the way he finished Flanders

 

[Netserk]

He wins a lot, but does not seem to crumble on the pressure he has on his shoulders. He seems to like taking on a challenge and think it is fun, he looks like he just has fun when he rides, and if he doesnt win there is always the next race.

Yes, he is always floating, almost totally weightless. The unbearable lightness of being Pogi.

 

[Monsi]

Chapeau Pogi! Another amazing ride to get his 11th win of the season. I really think he can win the Ardennes triple now. His form is still looking impressive.

 

[Krzysztof_O]

I expected a gradual form decline but he doesn't seem to be slowing down. If he keeps his level until Liege (regardless of FW result) it will be amazing. How long one can be in such a form without any weak day? He started his season in mid February...I still think he might have a lapse in LBL if it's his peak end.

 

[Netserk]

I expected a gradual form decline but he doesn't seem to be slowing down. If he keeps his level until Liege (regardless of FW result) it will be amazing. How long one can be in such a form without any weak day? He started his season in mid February...

Jalabert was outside the top-10 (12th) in Zürich, but was otherwise on for the whole season in 1995.

 

[Keram]

With this level of PCM form he can try to attack on penultimate Mur de Huy. Would be fun

 

[CyclistAbi]

In regards to FW and LBL. The "problem" is who? The field is not as strong as it could be. Realistically we can expect something from Remco at LBL. Beyond that it's hard to imagine on who could survive first UAE and after Pogi going all out. As he can crack rivals on much easier terrain. Top form Rogla or Alaphilippe could be a match. So for FW i would say that most likely Pogi this year unless he comes short out of some tactical games. Said that and considering the field he and his team can just drill it and there goes tactics altogether.

On the other hand nobody wins all races. So best to wait and see.

 

[SHAD0W93]

The way he’s going in the classics, it could be a long time before he attempts the Giro.

 

[Krzysztof_O]

In regards to FW and LBL. The "problem" is who? The field is not as strong as it could be. Realistically we can expect something from Remco at LBL. Beyond that it's hard to imagine on who could survive first UAE and after Pogi going all out. As he can crack rivals on much easier terrain. Top form Rogla or Alaphilippe could be a match. So for FW i would say that most likely Pogi this year unless he comes short out of some tactical games. Said that and considering the field he and his team can just drill it and there goes tactics altogether.

On the other hand nobody wins all races. So best to wait and see.

Pog will have it harder at FW as it's not an attrition race with zillion hills and many guys will be fresh at the end. There's a reason why he hasn't succeeded in this race so far. Liege obviously suits him well but I'm expecting a very strong rival there (Remco OFC).

 

[Miha81]

Once again he made it look so easy. When he is in top shape, there are only handful of race profiles he could not get a win.

 

[Peyroteo94]

I think he will focus in the Giro when he hit his ultimate spring goal, winning scheldeprijs!

 

[CyclistAbi]

Pog will have it harder at FW as it's not an attrition race with zillion hills and many guys will be fresh at the end. There's a reason why he hasn't succeeded in this race so far.

Still the times he didn't succeed in my opinion the field was stronger.

 

[Extinction]

Pog looks like the Greatest Ever..., but we have to see how he does against Smokin Joe, Ernie Shavers, Forman

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

His season looks ridiculous so far. 17 race days and 11 wins.

I'm a bit disappointed there won't be Roglic to stomp him on Mur de Huy this time. Who can beat him...Teuns, Woods?

the kinda numbers you expect to see from a sprinter or something

 

[Krzysztof_O]

Still the times he didn't succeed in my opinion the field was stronger.

Sure, peak Roglic and Alaphilippe are tough customers but last year Ala wasn't at his peak while Rogla was missing and still no top10 for Pog. I think he underperformed in this race (and is able to get a win) but nonetheless it's more difficult for him than other classics he races.

 

[Miha81]

Slovenian beers Laško and Union are owned by Heineken, just like Amstel. So Tadej is probably used to the watery taste.

It was his recovery beer

 

[CyclistAbi]

@Krzysztof_O

A bit harder to reduce the group on this race and hence being more exposed to tactics of other riders and teams at the end. But still no Valverde, Alaphilippe, Roglič ... For me the question is who has the kick to put Pogi under difficulty? As even Alaphilippe in "bad shape" will do damage somewhere on the final climb. Regardless if it's for the win or not.

We'll see.

 

[Krzysztof_O]

@Krzysztof_O

A bit harder to reduce the group on this race and hence being more exposed to tactics of other riders and teams at the end. But still no Valverde, Alaphilippe, Roglič ... For me the question is who has the kick to put Pogi under difficulty?

We'll see.

Yeah, there is simply a big group at the bottom but the pace is really nuclear only at the end. So positioning is important and the moment one goes for it (not too early, not too late). Pog has one of the best uphill kicks surely (in theory none in this FW has better) but it seems more evident in mountain stages than in this race with only one very short effort starting from a big group and after an easy race.

 

[Põhja Konn]

How much of a gap would Pog need at the bottom of the last Mur to hold on should he get away solo earlier? Not that the change of usual scenario is particularly likely on wednesday, but given the level he has shown in those last weeks banking on uphill sprint from a more or less fresh peloton doesn't look that much safer of a bet than forcing it from further out.

 

[Salvarani]

How much of a gap would Pog need at the bottom of the last Mur to hold on should he get away solo earlier? Not that the change of usual scenario is particularly likely on wednesday, but given the level he has shown in those last weeks banking on uphill sprint from a more or less fresh peloton doesn't look that much safer of a bet than forcing it from further out.

Who knows, but maybe they will try to make the race harder than it usually is. The harder it gets, the better it should be for Pog.

Or he will treat Fleche like MVDP treated Scheldeprijs and ride for Hirschi or something.

Or... he will try to win the triple like Gilbert. Like Rebellin.