Teams & Riders Tadej Pogačar discussion thread

[Red Rick]

Cote de La Redoute KOM. 14 sec faster than Remco last year.
Don't remember wind conditions last year, but strong headwind today.

Big difference is that Pogacar attacked from before the halfway point while Evenepoel attacked quite late on it. In fact, he did the same time on the final 2 minute section.

 

[kn0s]

Big difference is that Pogacar attacked from before the halfway point while Evenepoel attacked quite late on it.

Yeah, and no wheel spin, not boss enough.

 

[hayneplane]

Cycling is not a truly global sport now. The 8 strongest nations are all European. It's a niche sport in most parts of the world (by population).

And so what? It's still a great sport.

Of sports with a significant team element I would say it is behind only Football for global reach.

 

[Berniece]

Big difference is that Pogacar attacked from before the halfway point while Evenepoel attacked quite late on it. In fact, he did the same time on the final 2 minute section.

And a big difference in weather. Last year it was raining way more

 

[Valv.Piti]

Of sports with a significant team element I would say it is behind only Football for global reach.

Basketball >>>>> cycling. And probably others too. But that one being the most obvious.

 

[bNator]

Based on what we saw in the cobbled stage in TdF 2022, I’m convinced Pog can win PR without blowing up his GT campaign too much. And he can definitely win MSR. If he ever manages to win those two and is equal-ish to MvdP in total monuments win count, I’m sure he will go down as the best classics rider of his generation. But first, let’s fry them bigger fish…

 

[AmRacer]

Based on what we saw in the cobbled stage in TdF 2022, I’m convinced Pog can win PR without blowing up his GT campaign too much. And he can definitely win MSR. If he ever manages to win those two and is equal-ish to MvdP in total monuments win count, I’m sure he will go down as the best classics rider of his generation. But first, let’s fry them bigger fish…

Poggi want to win everything.
Next year, MSR, PR, Vuelta and one world tour week GC he hasn't yet won.

 

[Cookster15]

Cote de La Redoute KOM. 14 sec faster than Remco last year.
Don't remember wind conditions last year, but strong headwind today.

I changed from a "like" to a "wow" when I read your 2nd sentence. I guess its doubtful Remco could have held his wheel today.

 

[proffate]

Of sports with a significant team element I would say it is behind only Football for global reach.

I don't think cycling has a significant team element nor do I see how it's relevant to popularity nor does "global reach" have a meaningful definition.

Also, doubles tennis no doubt has more reach, whatever it is, than cycling. Even pickleball is probably ahead at this point.

 

[Fos]

Matxin commented in an interview with RTVE that Pogi only went to Sierra Nevada because Urska was there, and that a concentration at altitude was not planned.

Said by the commentator on the LBL broadcast.

 

[hayneplane]

I don't think cycling has a significant team element nor do I see how it's relevant to popularity nor does "global reach" have a meaningful definition.

Also, doubles tennis no doubt has more reach, whatever it is, than cycling. Even pickleball is probably ahead at this point.

Doubles tennis lol no elite male singles player ever competes in doubles outside of an occasional Davis Cup match. It is not contested by the best tennis players. It would be like comparing track endurance events to road racing in cycling.

 

[Cookster15]

I don't think cycling has a significant team element nor do I see how it's relevant to popularity nor does "global reach" have a meaningful definition.

I disagree. Depends upon which riders and circumstances but in some cases the contribution of the team to results is huge.

 

[Didinho]

Cote de La Redoute KOM. 14 sec faster than Remco last year.
Don't remember wind conditions last year, but strong headwind today.

From Strava he went 10” faster than Remco on Redoute. But with the downhill and next climb combined Pogi was only 6” faster in a 9’40” effort. So pretty equal performance from the attack and the Cornemont afterwards in their winning move.

Next in line Joseph Blackmore 40” down, in his LBL win 10 days earlier.

A level above the rest in these races.

 

[Savant12]

Nice, but predictable win at LBL. Bring on the Giro!

Wonder if we'll see less attacking from him at the Giro so he can recover better for the Tour. Or will he just blow the field apart as he (probably) doesn't need to worry about Vingo being there.

 

[Cookster15]

Nice, but predictable win at LBL. Bring on the Giro!

Wonder if we'll see less attacking from him at the Giro so he can recover better for the Tour. Or will he just blow the field apart as he (probably) doesn't need to worry about Vingo being there.

I hope he holds back. Even if Vingo can’t be at 90% for the TdF there is still Roglic who has unfinished business and would be eager for revenge.

 

[scribers]

Nice, but predictable win at LBL. Bring on the Giro!

Wonder if we'll see less attacking from him at the Giro so he can recover better for the Tour. Or will he just blow the field apart as he (probably) doesn't need to worry about Vingo being there.

Knowing pog he’ll be in pink right away, will stay in it, and will look for ways to affirm his authority on it

 

[Fos]

From Strava he went 10” faster than Remco on Redoute. But with the downhill and next climb combined Pogi was only 6” faster in a 9’40” effort. So pretty equal performance from the attack and the Cornemont afterwards in their winning move.

Next in line Joseph Blackmore 40” down, in his LBL win 10 days earlier.

A level above the rest in these races.

But headwind for longer time

 

[Roku]

Tadej Pogacar "Whole Calendar" Slam Watchlist (also considering podiums)

1. Grand Tours:
Tour de France X3 (2020, 2021, 2024), 2nd (2022, 2023)
Giro de Italia: X (2024)
Vuelta a España: 3rd (2019)

2. Monuments:
Milano San Remo: 3rd (2024)
Ronde Van Vlaanderen: X (2023)
Paris Roubaix: TBA
Liege Bastogne Liege: X2 (2021, 2024), 3rd (2020)
Giro di Lombardia: X3 (2021,2022,2023)

3. World Championships and Olympic Races:
Olympic Road Race: 3rd (Tokyo 2020 -held in 2021-)
Olympic Time Trial: TBA
World Championship Road Race: 3rd (2023)
World Championship Time Trial: -

4. One Week Races:
París Nice: X (2023)
Tirreno-Adriático: X2 (2021, 2022)
Volta a Catalunya: X (2024)
Itzulia: 3rd (2021)
Tour de Romandie: TBA
Criterium du Dauphine: -
Tour de Suisse: TBA

5. Other Significant Races:
Omloop Het Volk / Het Nieuwsblad: TBA
UAE Tour (sigh): X2 (2021, 2022)
Strade Bianche: X2 (2022, 2024)
E3 Harelbeke: 3rd (2023)
Gent Wevelgem: TBA
Brabantse Pijl: TBA
Amstel Gold Race: X (2023)
Fleche Wallone: X (2023)
San Sebastian: -
Giro dell Emilia: 2nd (2022, 2023)
París - Tours: TBA

6. Stage Wins:
Giro de Italia Stage Wins: 6
Tour de France Stage Wins: 14
Vuelta a España Stage Wins: 3
Total GT Stage Wins: 23
Total Pro Wins: 80

7. "Minor" Accolades:
GP Montréal (2022), x2 Tour of Slovenia (2021, 2022), Tre Valli Varesine (2022), Tour of California (2019), Volta ao Algarve (2019), x2 Slovenian ITT Championships (2019, 2023), Slovenian Road Race Championships (2023).

Notes:
(1) "Other Significant Races" is a non-comprehensive list of races outside the well established and common accepted three categories (GT, Monuments, Seven "Historically/Traditional" One Week Races)
(2) "Minor Accolades" include another non-comprehensive list of other races won that might be missed by some users.
The aim is not to argue about which are the most relevant races but to keep track of which I feel are the most prestigious events regardless of the current official category.

 

[SHAD0W93]

Could honestly get TotBC, TdR, TdS, and VaE all cleaned up next year if he wants to.

 

[Peyroteo94]

From Strava he went 10” faster than Remco on Redoute. But with the downhill and next climb combined Pogi was only 6” faster in a 9’40” effort. So pretty equal performance from the attack and the Cornemont afterwards in their winning move.

Next in line Joseph Blackmore 40” down, in his LBL win 10 days earlier.

A level above the rest in these races.

But he was 14 seconds faster, I already confirmed that.

 

[Gigs_98]

Could honestly get TotBC, TdR, TdS, and VaE all cleaned up next year if he wants to.

Yeah I've been wondering if he will plan his spring that way too. However that would most likely again mean a spring with very few classics.

 

[Barkintheeye]

No matter how hardcore fan you might be in favor of MVDP it’s hard to look past the achievements of Pog. He is definitely more versatile (on the road) than MVDP and he has beaten Mathieu at least once (RVV 2023) on his own ground. Should Pog continue to win spectacularly other classics such as MSR and PR (not too unlikely) he will clearly be the best Classics rider in this lifetime. Yet the next major showdown between these two is another divider: the next Road WC. Can Pog put that one down after having completed the Giro and the Tour? If yes then it’s something otherworldly to behold.

 

[Krzysztof_O]

After missing two Liege battles (due to very different but very bad factors) good to see Pog having a proper shot at LBL again and no bad luck in Ardennes this time. 3rd consecutive podium and 2nd victory in his last 3 finished editions. Giro is almost around the corner!

 

[velaso montador]

Its like Luke Rowe said on Eurosport during the race '' theres just isnt anyone who can do anything to him, hes that special ive never seen anything like him''

As long as ive watched cycling i havent seen anyone like this guy either hes truly something to behold beeing able to witness him is a pleasure and like someone typed in previous pages closest thing to Merckx there properly ever been indeed.

 

[velaso montador]

6 monuments 2 GT by age 25 and in which style he does it.

What a performance again, chapeau too Bardet and Van der Poel too that was really impressive stuff from both of em!