Teams & Riders Tadej Pogačar discussion thread

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Objectively the competition was not up to par, but this isn't Tadej's fault. The stars have aligned with him thus far, let's see if on Sunday as well.
A mid-week race before a Monument never has attracted everybody that is highlighting Sunday's effort. Pogacar is demonstrably stronger and tactically skilled/lucky that anyone that has a shot at beating him needs their best legs.
 
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Suppose he wins on sunday, that would argubly make this the greatest spring a rider has had since when?
There have been a few riders with two monuments in one spring somewhat recently. But I'd argue that plus AGR, FW and PN is worth more than anything guys like Cancellara or Boonen (or Degenkolb lol) have achieved in their respective best springs. And I think the fact that Pogacar won on completely different terrain also adds to the greatness of his season so far.

With LBL how far back would you have to go to find something similar? Maybe Kelly? It's honestly insane that he actually managed to make a clear jump in performance compared to his last two springs.
 
A mid-week race before a Monument never has attracted everybody that is highlighting Sunday's effort. Pogacar is demonstrably stronger and tactically skilled/lucky that anyone that has a shot at beating him needs their best legs.
There have been Bigs against Bigs that contested Fleche and then went on to score big at Liege, Valverde first and foremost. And that is what was lacking today. At any rate, I'm curious to see if Pog will continue his dominance Sunday.
 
Suppose he wins on sunday, that would argubly make this the greatest spring a rider has had since when?
There have been a few riders with two monuments in one spring somewhat recently. But I'd argue that plus AGR, FW and PN is worth more than anything guys like Cancellara or Boonen (or Degenkolb lol) have achieved in their respective best springs. And I think the fact that Pogacar won on completely different terrain also adds to the greatness of his season so far.

With LBL how far back would you have to go to find something similar? Maybe Kelly? It's honestly insane that he actually managed to make a clear jump in performance compared to his last two springs.
Nobody has ever won Flanders and the Ardennes hat-trick in one season, not even Merckx.
 
Suppose he wins on sunday, that would argubly make this the greatest spring a rider has had since when?
There have been a few riders with two monuments in one spring somewhat recently. But I'd argue that plus AGR, FW and PN is worth more than anything guys like Cancellara or Boonen (or Degenkolb lol) have achieved in their respective best springs. And I think the fact that Pogacar won on completely different terrain also adds to the greatness of his season so far.

With LBL how far back would you have to go to find something similar? Maybe Kelly? It's honestly insane that he actually managed to make a clear jump in performance compared to his last two springs.
Since ever I'm not even sure why it's a question.
 
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Suppose he wins on sunday, that would argubly make this the greatest spring a rider has had since when?
There have been a few riders with two monuments in one spring somewhat recently. But I'd argue that plus AGR, FW and PN is worth more than anything guys like Cancellara or Boonen (or Degenkolb lol) have achieved in their respective best springs. And I think the fact that Pogacar won on completely different terrain also adds to the greatness of his season so far.

With LBL how far back would you have to go to find something similar? Maybe Kelly? It's honestly insane that he actually managed to make a clear jump in performance compared to his last two springs.
Gilbert 2011 is up there: Won Strade Bianche & the Ardennes Quadruple, podium at San Remo.
 
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Yawn, was it even a fast Huy?
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Since ever I'm not even sure why it's a question.
I mean Mercx won MSR, Ronde and LBL in one season twice, so I'd feel pretty confident putting those above Pogacar's 2023 no matter what happens on Sunday. But other than that, I'm not sure anyone has ever had a better spring.

Concerning Gilbert, I think you could easily make the argument this spring by Pogacar is already better than Gilbert's in 2011. There is absolutely no question about whose season is better if Pogacar wins LBL.
 
I mean Mercx won MSR, Ronde and LBL in one season twice, so I'd feel pretty confident putting those above Pogacar's 2023 no matter what happens on Sunday. But other than that, I'm not sure anyone has ever had a better spring.

Concerning Gilbert, I think you could easily make the argument this spring by Pogacar is already better than Gilbert's in 2011. There is absolutely no question about whose season is better if Pogacar wins LBL.
No you can't.

I think you're forgetting that El Pistolero proved that Phil's 2011 season was without doubt the greatest season ever,