Teams & Riders Tadej Pogačar discussion thread

[jmdirt]

I love seeing him racing hard even on days like today!

 

[Extinction]

Not sure he'd say anything if it was really the case. I've raced long enough to know that "oh man you're killing me" means "I'm good back here keep hammering".

Nonsense, he was on the limit, sorry. And I've probably raced just as long, if not longer unfortunately, because it shows I'm getting old.

In Thomas's own words (which totally confirm my initial thought on the matter and confute yours): "Thymen [Arensman] set a great pace and then I saw Honoré and Pogačar going for it, and I thought, I might as well just go. But jeepers, man, they were solid - he was kicking my head in."

Asked if they talked on their move - and some brief communication was visible in the TV images - Thomas said "I just told him I was quite tired, in a few less words." As for whether he was thinking about the win, he said "I was just thinking about holding his wheel."

 

[Extinction]

From tactical point of view such move does protect you from crashes and the main rival was tired down. Still mostly likely such moves are all about entertaining the fans and to have fun on the bike. On how much it will cost Pogi in terms of Euros and fatigue. Looks like that is less relevant and not a part of some serious strategy.

As for my initial impression for this years GT strategy. Looks like they are prepared to sacrifice a bit of punch to try to do better on climbs.

Nah, the punch is there, it's just he had to attack from the bottom of San Vito and the whole world knew it. A GT isn't like a classic, not enough distance on a stage like that to soften everybody enough. Whereas yesterday he had to hold off the chasing sprint for over 2 k on the flat, again without the distance of MSR in the legs to break the chase. His punch is just fine.

 

[Cassirer]

Every hill? I don't think so?

And I don't think he is a robot. Maybe we both used hyperbole

 

[Pantani_lives]

If I were Pogacar's DS I'd hold him on a leash and let him loose when it really matters.

 

[AmRacer]

If I were Pogacar's DS I'd hold him on a leash and let him loose when it really matters.

He wants to have fun, which is important to stay motivated.

 

[Peyroteo94]

If he wants to do the double, he needs to be more mature. Of course he is incredible if we talk about entertainment but he seems to be the same little kid (since his 20's) who attacks every hill to fight his boredom.

 

[tobydawq]

Actually a bit surprising that he followed Mikkel Honoré given that last time he rode behind him, he crashed on broke his wrist.

 

[hfgon1]

If he wants to do the double, he needs to be more mature. Of course he is incredible if we talk about entertainment but he seems to be the same little kid (since his 20's) who attacks every hill to fight his boredom.

I dont think that a 5min effort will be a issue for the rest of the season and the Giro. Its not like he fought 50km alone against a peloton. He will surely try again today and he is right to do so.

 

[Berniece]

Hes clearly become much stronger this year too, thats a scary thought honestly.

Where did he show according to you that he is much stronger this year? I haven't really seen that yet.

 

[velaso montador]

Where did he show according to you that he is much stronger this year? I haven't really seen that yet.

Strade for me was another level of display and Catalonya was also a epic showcase of strenght imo. But ofc hard to say with certainty indeed for me so clearly may be something which remains to be seen yet. But what riders say about him this year tells alot and i believed they have said it themself the team.

 

[stonerider]

Not sure its wise to be making such efforts like today* when you are attempting the double but just noticed that Pog has dropped down to 165mm cranks. The reasoning is to improve his cadence, reduce the load on his leg muscles and improve aerodynamics. Marginal gains.

But the higher cadence will cost more from his aerobic system. I guess each racer needs to address their weakness and make changes to compensate. I guess if leg muscles were stronger relative to cardio then a longer crank might help.

 

[Peyroteo94]

Where did he show according to you that he is much stronger this year? I haven't really seen that yet.

Just a die hard fan talking. Wishful thinking to be more precise. If he is better, is not by a significant margin. I think even this Giro will not tell us a lot because the preparation for Giro was clearly affected by the Tour too.

 

[Gargamel35]

He just values "having fun while doing your job" a lot higher than some other riders. Or he doesn't need to be as serious because he's so good. People here hate on riders who try to play on their strengths and don't waste energy for no apparent reason (Roglič,..) but now people also hate on riders that do something out of people expectations and imagination.

He's just in great form and bored to death in long "sprint" stages so he tries to entertain himself. Are you not entertained?

 

[Krzysztof_O]

If I were Pogacar's DS I'd hold him on a leash and let him loose when it really matters.

DS can't do anything when Teddy wants to attack. This Giro will be an epic display by him but we will see what is left for the Tour.

 

[Samu Cuenca]

DS can't do anything when Teddy wants to attack. This Giro will be an epic display by him but we will see what is left for the Tour.

Maybe there's a secret password which deactivates him?
But then the radio signal will probably be too weak for him to receive the message anyway,

 

[Extinction]

If he wants to do the double, he needs to be more mature. Of course he is incredible if we talk about entertainment but he seems to be the same little kid (since his 20's) who attacks every hill to fight his boredom.

Not to mention interfering with the sprinters' turf in a GT, which could decide next year's contract for some. You start to annoy colleagues that way.

 

[Poursuivant]

Done nothing on that last hill, boring rider.

 

[Miha81]

Done nothing on that last hill, boring rider.

He said that he is prolonging vacation until stage 6

 

[CyclistAbi]

Came too hot to the race and is now paying for it at stage 4.

 

[Tim Cahill]

Italians gotta be the most prickly nation in the world when it comes to food and fashion, they take it ultra-serious

Jury threatens Tadej Pogačar with Giro d’Italia disqualification over Castelli two-tone maglia rosa skinsuit with purple shorts

'I have my pants but no skin suit, so maybe I can’t attack because I'm not fast’ jokes race leader

www.cyclingnews.com

Edit: Nvm its actually the UCI, [MOD:Content deleted]

 

[CyclistAbi]

Imagine UCI woudl really disqualify Pogi for it, no recovering from that.

 

[red_flanders]

Italians gotta be the most prickly nation in the world when it comes to food and fashion, they take it ultra-serious

Jury threatens Tadej Pogačar with Giro d’Italia disqualification over Castelli two-tone maglia rosa skinsuit with purple shorts

'I have my pants but no skin suit, so maybe I can’t attack because I'm not fast’ jokes race leader

www.cyclingnews.com

Edit: Nvm its actually the UCI, [content deleted]

This is the kind of nonsense that makes this sport too often seem ultra bush-league. But then it's the UCI...

 

[wheresmybrakes]

Imagine UCI woudl really disqualify Pogi for it, no recovering from that.

What if the rider wasn't Pogi, but a lower league rider? Would that be ok?

 

[samhocking]

Gonna be tough for the UCI as the regulations have always been DQ or Elimination. In fact they added to the rule in January where it also comes with a 50 to 2000 fine. I'm guessing they'll only fine him given it was RCS decision to break the rules technically but done so in good faith it seems. But that would set a new precedent that race organisers could try all sorts of things for marketing purposes and simply absorb the riders fines as a cost.