Teams & Riders Tadej Pogačar discussion thread

[CyclistAbi]

Agree. But I haven’t read anyone seriously suggesting here that the triple is realistic? Excuse if missed that upthread? I think Sepp Kuss was mentioned only to make the point I made above - if Kuss can ride three strong grand tours and win the last one then surely a rider like Pogacar is a genuine chance to win the double?

In previous reply i gave a link to an article:

'The big goal is the Tour and the Worlds' – Tadej Pogačar rules out Grand Tour treble attempt

Slovenian underlines dominance once more on Passo Brocon on 'strange day' at Giro d'Italia

www.cyclingnews.com

On where Pogi confirms he isn't doing the triple attempt, instead a mere double plus Worlds attempt.

 

[Oldermanish]

Agree. But I haven’t read anyone seriously suggesting here that the triple is realistic? Excuse if missed that upthread? I think Sepp Kuss was mentioned only to make the point I made above - if Kuss can ride three strong grand tours and win the last one then surely a rider like Pogacar is a genuine chance to win the double?

I don't think Kuss' experience last year is any way equivalent to Tadej's current situation. Kuss rode in support on terrain most favorable to him for two of those GTs. The goal was to have impact for your GC leader, then back off to fight another day. His Vuelta win was a piece of well-deserved reward for his prior efforts and should be considered in that light.
Pogacar isn't expecting any gifts in pursuit of the double and he hasn't won the first leg, yet. It's likely he will win the Giro and in fine preparatory shape for the Tour battle. There he will be facing at least one of Jonas' former teammates and a young, recovering Belgian with much he'd want to accomplish. If JV cobbles together a threat that will not be less competition, either.

 

[CyclistAbi]

I mean maybe in some season, due to some special circumstance involved, somebody actually pulls a GT triple. The question is on how would that be perceived. As the greatest achievement of all time or as a devaluation of GT racing. Hopefully we won't go past the double anytime soon and hopefully a double won't become some sort of norm of a successful season anytime soon.

 

[Sciatic]

In previous reply i gave a link to an article:

'The big goal is the Tour and the Worlds' – Tadej Pogačar rules out Grand Tour treble attempt

Slovenian underlines dominance once more on Passo Brocon on 'strange day' at Giro d'Italia

www.cyclingnews.com

On where Pogi confirms he isn't doing the triple attempt, instead a mere double plus Worlds attempt.

Which has also been called “the triple.”

 

[bNator]

I think that was the case when Pogacar first rode away but that group soon settled in and rode their own race, and none seemed particularly close the limit in the last 2km.

I also don't equate affect with effort.

Well I don’t agree they rode cagily in terms they let him go while settling their own disputes doing their own tempo. Based on their facial expressions, there was not a lot of tactics going on - just full gas racing.

I do agree of course they watch each other much more than they watch Pog, but I wouldn’t exactly say they were cagy. They were cagy on stage 15 IMO.

 

[hayneplane]

He just looked bored today as if he genuinely was so easy he was in danger of detraining and he merely rolled off the front without any hint of an attack and was constantly looking round as if to say c’mon guys keep up this is a Sunday stroll pace.

 

[Cookster15]

It's likely he will win the Giro and in fine preparatory shape for the Tour battle. There he will be facing at least one of Jonas' former teammates and a young, recovering Belgian with much he'd want to accomplish. If JV cobbles together a threat that will not be less competition, either.

Yes Remco must think he has a chance to win the TdF now. But so too Roglic. As for “JV cobbles together a threat” please do not repeat the nightmare of Vingo’s rise from obscurity in 2021.

 

[Oldermanish]

Yes Remco must think he has a chance to win the TdF now. But so too Roglic. As for “JV cobbles together a threat” please do not repeat the nightmare of Vingo’s rise from obscurity in 2021.

Sorry to conjure up old dreams for you.
Remco must know he has a chance to get strong enough to contest the Vuelta after winning a stage and maybe a Tour TT. He's seasoned now and has to plan accordingly.
Unless key guys go off the rails; then it's a free for all. He still has to have a team to get him on a step at the Champs. Where's that coming from?

 

[Krzysztof_O]

You can't underestimate how much heat effects different riders, it can be a huge difference racing in 20C cloudy weather, or 40C scorching heat.
This Giro weather is perfect for cycling, apart from the snow and rain.

Definitely lower temperatures are better for long, physical efforts due to reducing body overheat and dehydration. In case of marathons, according to some studies, temperatures in range of 7-15°C are optimal. In case of cycling, due to wind chill, this range can be somewhat higher but obviously temperatures in range 25-30°C (or higher) are way beyond optimal. I can relate to there numbers: when doing a long and intense uphill trek in the mountains temperatures of 10°C or so are very good for such efforts (feeling comfortable in t-shirt if there's no strong wind), 20°C is perceived by me as way too hot and sweaty. This sentiment is shared by running persons I know.

 

[Panda Claws]

But Kuss isn't Pogacar. The point is if a specialist climber and domestique like Sepp Kuss can finish high on GC for all three grand tours and win the Vuelta then why isn't it possible for a rider of Pogacar's caliber to be a big threat for the double? Especially if Vingegaard can't recover peak form by July.

But if I was a betting man I'd put some money on Roglic

Massive difference between finishing high and winning.

 

[Peyroteo94]

He said Monte Grappa is very close to Slovenia so we know what will happen on Saturday. Will he do it during the first climb or will he wait?

 

[Netserk]

After the Giro he will likely improve the previous rolling-CQ record (which he took in 2022 after Ronde) by 400-500 points. Not impossible either that his score this year will break the rolling record (4006 points).

 

[Krzysztof_O]

He said Monte Grappa is very close to Slovenia so we know what will happen on Saturday. Will he do it during the first climb or will he wait?

Yeah, there will be no mercy on Saturday, it seems. He could break Basso's winning margin as the highest in the century but maybe his cautious downhill will reduce the gap.

 

[bNator]

He said Monte Grappa is very close to Slovenia so we know what will happen on Saturday. Will he do it during the first climb or will he wait?

 

[Red Rick]

Very low chance he goes the first lap on Grappa

 

[QueenStagiaire]

Very low chance he goes the first lap on Grappa

Wait, you don‘t expect an 80 k solo from the top of the first Grappa???

 

[dercuforever]

Wait, you don‘t expect an 80 k solo from the top of the first Grappa???

With a rainjacket on he'll go unnoticed into the early breakaway, podium contenders will probably watch themselves when they'll unravel the trap.
Pog will then take a turn in front on the first slope of Grappa. After 15 elbow gesture with noone showing up to relay him, he'll realize he's alone.
Feeling lonely, he'll crank it up a bit to Z3 in order to prepare a surprise win dinner for his teammates.
What a shock will it be to see that only Majka finished in the timelimit.
Yet, with the cyclamen jersey now his, Pog would sleep well, being able to wear a short of the color of his choice to Rome.

 

[shalgo]

But tbf - that might be the only example in the last 70years. Hinault was only up 3 minutes after two weeks in 1981 (and then won by 14 minutes).

I’m a bit late to the discussion, but wanted to point out this one:

Tour de France 1994 Stage 14 results

Rolf Sørensen is the winner of Tour de France 1994 Stage 14, before Neil Stephens and Rolf Järmann. Miguel Indurain was leader in GC.

www.procyclingstats.com

 

[dazaau]

With a rainjacket on he'll go unnoticed into the early breakaway, podium contenders will probably watch themselves when they'll unravel the trap.
Pog will then take a turn in front on the first slope of Grappa. After 15 elbow gesture with noone showing up to relay him, he'll realize he's alone.
Feeling lonely, he'll crank it up a bit to Z3 in order to prepare a surprise win dinner for his teammates.
What a shock will it be to see that only Majka finished in the timelimit.
Yet, with the cyclamen jersey now his, Pog would sleep well, being able to wear a short of the color of his choice to Rome.

He gets into the breakaway I'm not sure if the other GC teams will even care let alone react lol.

 

[solo80k]

He said Monte Grappa is very close to Slovenia so we know what will happen on Saturday. Will he do it during the first climb or will he wait?

Why should he attack on the first ascent?

He somehow "gifted" Passo Brocon win after all, attacking from GC so close to the finish. He could probably grab that stage as well, attacking with 6-5 kms from finish would be enough.

Anyway, Pog wants Monte Grappa so he won't be that merciful on Saturday.

 

[Krzysztof_O]

Why should he attack on the first ascent?

He somehow "gifted" Passo Brocon win after all, attacking from GC so close to the finish. He could probably grab that stage as well, attacking with 6-5 kms from finish would be enough.

Anyway, Pog wants Monte Grappa so he won't be that merciful on Saturday.

From a secret source I know that Teddy has a bet with G. about if he can lap the field on Grappa. Apparently their wives are at stake.

 

[Miha81]

Somebody is enjoying his "vacation"

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[pihi42]

He said Monte Grappa is very close to Slovenia so we know what will happen on Saturday. Will he do it during the first climb or will he wait?

Perhaps he'll stop by Nova Gorica in Slovenija for a coffee break between the two climbs. It's only about 160km.

 

[Peyroteo94]

Tomorrow he will have another rest day. This last week has been perfect, Tour is on track.

 

[Fos]

I'm starting to think, seeing how this Giro is developing, that it's not going to be such a bad preparation for the Tour. He is making the efforts when he wants, how he wants and at the intensity he wants, and he has only really fought anyone in the first stage.