Teams & Riders Tadej Pogačar discussion thread

[Salvarani]

Indeed, Pog relied on his explosivity to gain some seconds back on Vingo, but at an extremely high cost. He indepted himself and, when Vingo brought the check at the TT, with a sardonic smile, Pog had no cash left to pay the bill. Vingegaard simply has more stamina, a bigger engine for the third week. And it was a massacre.

Winning stages at the Tour and finishing 2nd is no small feat. He already has two overall wins to fall back on, as well. It is not the end of the world for him if he loses here, I am assuming.

With that said, he should probably take a year off from going to the Tour if he can unless other parties puts the pressure on that he has to go there. He should try to win the Giro now, while he still can next season.

 

[Extinction]

Winning stages at the Tour and finishing 2nd is no small feat. He already has two overall wins to fall back on, as well. It is not the end of the world for him if he loses here, I am assuming.

With that said, he should probably take a year off from going to the Tour if he can unless other parties puts the pressure on that he has to go there. He should try to win the Giro now, while he still can next season.

I agree he should go to the Giro next year, but I bet he's devastated to realize he doesn't have an answer for Jonas.

 

[Salvarani]

I agree he should go to the Giro next year, but I bet he's devastated to realize he doesn't have an answer for Jonas.

He could let that weigh/wear him down or focus on winning a lot of different races, as he has been doing.

 

[Extinction]

He could let that weigh/wear him down or focus on winning a lot of different races, as he has been doing.

Yea, but once you've been the king, it's hard to accept being dethroned.

 

[Krzysztof_O]

That´s not even the point. Vingegaard is better. But Pog´s advantage over other competitors seems to fade.

Not really. Pog did a really good TdF before his collapse all things considered. His climbing speed was very impressive and he was going toe to toe with Vinge even planting the seed of doubt in the Dane (regarding his ability to drop Pog). His cracking could be the result of the crash or not enough preparation before the race. Sure, at the TT Vinge was amazing (still top form Pog should've been closer than that methinks). I still think that Pog with optimal preparation is the only one capable of beating Vinge. The Dane is #1 favourite though (until someone actually beats him).

 

[Salvarani]

Yea, but once you've been the king, it's hard to accept being dethroned.

Already happened last year though. I think this was just for the spectacle.

 

[Extinction]

Already happened last year though. I think this was just for the spectacle.

I think Pog still thought he was better than Vingo after last year, chalking it up to mistakes. This time the verdict is much harsher.

 

[Salvarani]

I think Pog still thought he was better than Vingo after last year, chalking it up to mistakes. This time the verdict is much harsher.

Who knows, if he is done he had a good run.

 

[Extinction]

Who knows, if he is done he had a good run.

I don't say he's done, just no longer king.

 

[Salvarani]

I don't say he's done, just no longer king.

Ok, I think that has been clear when it comes to the Tour after last time but cool.

 

[Peter von]

Last year he could point to the Granon stage and say it was tactics that killed him, this year the wrist or maybe doing classics.

I don’t think Pogi will fold so easy and do the B-race, sorry Giro. Not sure he’ll drop the classics, but he is too strong of a rider to skip the Tour.

 

[Extinction]

Ok, I think that has been clear when it comes to the Tour after last time but cool.

We've been over this before, like it or not, if you win the Tour more than once, with such performances, you are the strongest cyclist in the world. Pog held the coveted kingship until he faced a stronger rider. There is no shame in that, but it is a most bitter pill to swallow.

 

[JimPanzen]

Sowing up in July against that guy in the near future is only to finish 2nd, at best, and putting on a good show.

Next year another guy will win and this forum will again be like "Oh nooo, he's unbeatable. The Tour winner is set for the next gazillion years." 😅

 

[Extinction]

Last year he could point to the Granon stage and say it was tactics that killed him, this year the wrist or maybe doing classics.

I don’t think Pogi will fold so easy and do the B-race, sorry Giro. Not sure he’ll drop the classics, but he is too strong of a rider to skip the Tour.

It's time he does the Giro-Tour set.

 

[Peter von]

It's time he does the Giro-Tour set.

It’s Basso-Time !

 

[Salvarani]

We've been over this before, like it or not, if you win the Tour more than once, with such performances, you are the strongest cyclist in the world. Pog held the coveted kingship until he faced a stronger rider. There is no shame in that, but it is a most bitter pill to swallow.

I have never argued anything else. Vinge became king last year already.

Don’t know what your point is or what are on about.

 

[Extinction]

I have never argued anything else. Vinge became king last year already.

Don’t know what your point is or what are on about.

I don't know, you seem to like to be polemical. I just deal with what comes my way.

 

[Salvarani]

I don't know, you seem to like to be polemical. I just deal with what comes my way.

I honestly have no idea what you are on about here.

 

[saunaking]

We've been over this before, like it or not, if you win the Tour more than once, with such performances, you are the strongest cyclist in the world. Pog held the coveted kingship until he faced a stronger rider. There is no shame in that, but it is a most bitter pill to swallow.

even Horner redid his rankings after Loze.
Pog down to #2, Vingo new #1 leapfrogs Rog & Remco

 

[Cookster15]

I think Pog still thought he was better than Vingo after last year, chalking it up to mistakes. This time the verdict is much harsher.

Not really, just unfortunate reality and everyone is wiser in hindsight.

Pogacar's LBL crash and his wrist injury was a stark reality. I think Pog was hoping this interruption to his training meant he could regain his top level by the 3rd week of the TdF. But he, like us, was guessing. In fact he ran out of base load condition just as Contador warned us (below is the story). On Loze Pog has also earned another black card against his name on his ability at altitude - but again, maybe this was his condition?

So 2023 is another what if. What if no cash? We have to wait until 2024 and a possible three way fight with Remco. Next year Pog will still only be 25. But as of now, yes of course Vingegaard is the strongest rider in the world.

Exclusive: Contador 'worried' about Pogacar's Tour preparations ahead of Vingegaard battle

Alberto Contador has admitted he is worried as to whether Tadej Pogacar’s wrist injury has impacted on his Tour de France preparations.

www.eurosport.com

 

[tretiak]

Winning stages at the Tour and finishing 2nd is no small feat. He already has two overall wins to fall back on, as well. It is not the end of the world for him if he loses here, I am assuming.

With that said, he should probably take a year off from going to the Tour if he can unless other parties puts the pressure on that he has to go there. He should try to win the Giro now, while he still can next season.

 

[tretiak]

He needs to completely overhaul his training. Focus on endurance and constantly think like Jens Voigt "SHUT UP LEGS". You can live on your talent for a long time, but eventually you have to start digging deep to get better.

 

[Andy schleck]

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

I was so wrong.

 

[Andy schleck]

You guys are over complicating things, if Poga can overcome the itch of unnecessarily attacking when he shouldn't, he wins this tour.

You were also wrong.

 

[SHAD0W93]

I was so wrong.

Too be fair, the gaps were small for the majority of the riders.