Teams & Riders Tadej Pogačar discussion thread

[Boehmand]

I think the gaps in the TT will be small. Just 22 km.

Agreed.

 

[Rob5091]

I think the gaps in the TT will be small. Just 22 km.

If both Pogacar and Vingegaard make it to Paris, the race could be won on bonus seconds and the TT result.

 

[Krzysztof_O]

If both Pogacar and Vingegaard make it to Paris, the race could be won on bonus seconds and the TT result.

This could actually turn out to be true. I definitely think a scenario when both are almost inseparable in the mountains as plausible and then stage finishes and the TT will become crucial. Obviously there are a lot of stages and one can always have a weaker day but Pog's hardest task will be to follow Vingegaard on most difficult stages - he will have to try to save some energy for them and ride defensively just trying to follow Vinge's wheel on them. His versatility will give him some edge during most of other stages.

 

[Peyroteo94]

If Vingegaard can't drop Pogi until the TT, I am convinced Pogi will have a 30 seconds advantage at least. A little bit like Purito in 2012 Vuelta where Contador did everything to drop him and he just outsprinted Contador to win 4/5 seconds on the road in every mountain stage(more bonifications).

 

[fox]

I really can't see how Pogi can win this tour de France. His preparation was just not ideal and Vinge is looking at this race and this race only for a whole year. If nothing happens with Vinge he will drop Pogi a few times.

 

[Cookster15]

We are all guessing here.

Pog’s wrist? Guessing
Jumbo vs UAE? Guessing
Pog on hardest climbs - judging on last year. Guessing.

The hardest stage is 17. If Pog is still in contention after that it’s game on plus he would be confident. But he may not even make it that far.

We will see. But Pog’s wrist means I am leaning towards Vingegaard prevailing again.

The fight for 3rd might be worth following too.

 

[gregrowlerson]

This could actually turn out to be true. I definitely think a scenario when both are almost inseparable in the mountains as plausible and then stage finishes and the TT will become crucial. Obviously there are a lot of stages and one can always have a weaker day but Pog's hardest task will be to follow Vingegaard on most difficult stages - he will have to try to save some energy for them and ride defensively just trying to follow Vinge's wheel on them. His versatility will give him some edge during most of other stages.

I think there are too many potentially decisive mountain stages for one of them not to be dropped significantly at some point.

 

[Miha81]

I think there are too many potentially decisive mountain stages for one of them not to be dropped significantly at some point.

Exactly. Everyone can have a bad day that decides the whole Tour.

I am curious if UAE tries to downplay Pogi's chances and exaggerate the effect of injury on his preparation but we will soon see.

I heard from internal source that Pogi was doing 6 hour motor pacing simulation day ahead of NC road race. Then he basically drove away next day like it was a training run with amateurs. There is also a rumor tha he lost around 7kg compared to last years TDF so if this is true they are targeting his weak points in mountains (at least weak compared to Vinge).

 

[SafeBet]

SEVEN kg???
Sounds absurd to me.

 

[fox]

Exactly. Everyone can have a bad day that decides the whole Tour.

I am curious if UAE tries to downplay Pogi's chances and exaggerate the effect of injury on his preparation but we will soon see.

I heard from internal source that Pogi was doing 6 hour motor pacing simulation day ahead of NC road race. Then he basically drove away next day like it was a training run with amateurs. There is also a rumor tha he lost around 7kg compared to last years TDF so if this is true they are targeting his weak points in mountains (at least weak compared to Vinge).

He didn't lose it in winter because he needed the weight in Flanders. And I can't believe he lost that much between Liege and the Tour either.

 

[Miha81]

SEVEN kg???
Sounds absurd to me.

It also sounds too much for me. But he showed me the pictures and he is skeleton like.

Maybe they are exaggerating a bit as this is 10% of his weight.

 

[KZD]

I really can't see how Pogi can win this tour de France. His preparation was just not ideal and Vinge is looking at this race and this race only for a whole year. If nothing happens with Vinge he will drop Pogi a few times.

I see Pogačar being able to win if he is able to stay with Vingegård and then beating him in the TT or in bonus seconds, where he is faster. And while I agree Vingegård is more likely to drop Pogačar, the reverse is still a possibility, especially if the weather is cooler.

Then there is always the chance Vingegård falls or gets sick which nobody wants, of course.

 

[Rob5091]

Exactly. Everyone can have a bad day that decides the whole Tour.

I am curious if UAE tries to downplay Pogi's chances and exaggerate the effect of injury on his preparation but we will soon see.

I heard from internal source that Pogi was doing 6 hour motor pacing simulation day ahead of NC road race. Then he basically drove away next day like it was a training run with amateurs. There is also a rumor tha he lost around 7kg compared to last years TDF so if this is true they are targeting his weak points in mountains (at least weak compared to Vinge).

Yeah, everyone can have a "bad day", or get the dreaded covid. If Pogacar has lost 7kg compared to last year's TdF, then it'll be pretty obvious to see. Losing weight might help in the mountains but how about his sprint/attack? Will we see a "stick insect Teddy" and full on mountain train? Does not sound like Pogacar's style but UAE have paid out big bucks for domestiques (and with Soler being Soler) so we might be in for some entertainment.

 

[Miha81]

Yeah, everyone can have a "bad day", or get the dreaded covid. If Pogacar has lost 7kg compared to last year's TdF, then it'll be pretty obvious to see. Losing weight might help in the mountains but how about his sprint/attack? Will we see a "stick insect Teddy" and full on mountain train? Does not sound like Pogacar's style but UAE have paid out big bucks for domestiques (and with Soler being Soler) so we might be in for some entertainment.

I think it is more hearsay. It sounds too much to me TBH. But sources are close to "Slovenian UAE cell"...

 

[Rackham]

Pog is ready.

SEVEN kg???
Sounds absurd to me.

 

[Cookster15]

7Kg? Yeh, battle of the skeletors is on!

But seriously he could only lose 7 Kg by also shedding lean muscle mass. It does look like the mind games have started.

 

[Miha81]

7Kg? Yeh, battle of the skeletors is on!

But seriously he could only lose 7 Kg by also shedding lean muscle mass. It does look like the mind games have started.

It seems little too much. Judging by this picture after last weeks national ITT Urška looks like she has massive legs compared to him

https://siol.net/sportal/kolesarstvo/tadej-pogacar-za-minuto-in-pol-hitrejsi-kot-2020-609784

 

[gregrowlerson]

I thought such obsessive weight discussion was reserved solely for the Remco thread.

 

[Rob5091]

7Kg? Yeh, battle of the skeletors is on!

But seriously he could only lose 7 Kg by also shedding lean muscle mass. It does look like the mind games have started.

I'm waiting to hear Vingegaard's lost 10 kg!

 

[Andy schleck]

Exactly. Everyone can have a bad day that decides the whole Tour.

I am curious if UAE tries to downplay Pogi's chances and exaggerate the effect of injury on his preparation but we will soon see.

I heard from internal source that Pogi was doing 6 hour motor pacing simulation day ahead of NC road race. Then he basically drove away next day like it was a training run with amateurs. There is also a rumor tha he lost around 7kg compared to last years TDF so if this is true they are targeting his weak points in mountains (at least weak compared to Vinge).

7 kg?!!!! It can't be true. Maybe 1/2 kg.

 

[gregrowlerson]

George Castanza: "Seven!"

 

[pelotonIQ]

It makes sense to be a bit skinnier than last year because the TT is mountainous and the lack of punchy sprint finishes.

 

[Red Rick]

Lol 7kg never makes any sense

 

[johnymax]

I've heard he lost 27kg

 

[gregrowlerson]

I've heard he lost 27kg

He looks about as comfortable on that bike as Jonas did on his on the cobblestone stage last year.