Teams & Riders Tadej Pogačar discussion thread

[Potomac]

Honestly, if Ayuso had gone to this Giro instead of Pogacar he would have likely won it. Roglic won't be around for much longer and Vingegaard and Pogacar won't win everything forever.

He would have finished fourth behind
Jorgenson
Powless
and Gee

Since they too would have gone to the Giro without Pogacar there.

 

[Extinction]

Maxtin also says that Pogi is tired and that Vingo is the Tour favourite. While in case of the DS I think it's some kind of game (to take the pressure off) in case of Pogi I tend to believe him.

I'd take Maxtin's word with a grain of salt. He's probably sandbagging Pogacar to make Visma think Jonas can win, even on rushed prep.

 

[Escarabajo]

So no Majka in the Tour team. Is that good or bad for Pogi?

It should be bad. IMHO. But again, if we believe he is really above all by far, then it should not be a problem.

 

[Krzysztof_O]

So no Majka in the Tour team. Is that good or bad for Pogi?

Majka is not needed as Pogi will be an even better super-domestique (for Ayuso OFC).

 

[solo80k]

So no Majka in the Tour team. Is that good or bad for Pogi?

If UAE turns up being weak on mountain stages, that decision will be questioned. But we need to remember, it's up to Pogacar to be in the top from. Time will tell.

 

[solo80k]

Speaking of tired Pogi. I hope UAE learned something from last year. In a lot of the stages in the Tour he finished looking pale and sickly. It was one of the few times I legitimately worried about a rider and his health.

Then you probably noticed that Fisherman looked as bad as Pogi on many stages but still "Show the world you are the strongest" unlocked the Beast. 😜

 

[Salvarani]

Then you probably noticed that Fisherman looked as bad as Pogi on many stages but still "Show the world you are the strongest" unlocked the Beast. 😜

Netflix script writers did a great job.

 

[Monsi]

If UAE turns up being weak on mountain stages, that decision will be questioned. But we need to remember, it's up to Pogacar to be in the top from. Time will tell.

If UAE becomes weak on mountain stages, then you have to get those climbers off the team apart from Pogi. I refuse to believe that that UAE TDF team won’t have 4 of the 10 or 15 best climbers in the race without crashes or illnesses.

 

[Peyroteo94]

UAE will be very strong in the mountains, this is a sure bet and they won't miss Majka at all because there is at least Yates, a very loyal and strong mountain helper (better than Majka). The problem is if Wellens or Pollits crash out.

 

[rm2021]

Tragic?
Jumbo in 2019 sent Roglic to a Giro which was rightfuly his if not for the usual crashes.
In the 2018 Tour Roglic was 4th just because Bernal towed Froome to his 3rd place. And because Roglic crashed.
Roglic crashed in Tour 2021 and in the Tour and Vuelta 2022.
That's what is tragic.
Ayuso will likely never win a GT unless he is lucky with which riders avoid it.

Luck or bike handling?

 

[Elos Anjos]

Luck or bike handling?

It doesn't matter. It's tragic because Roglic didn't do anything to deserve such punishment.

 

[rm2021]

It doesn't matter. It's tragic because Roglic didn't do anything to deserve such punishment.

He is a bad bike handler, that's why is tragic. Cycling is not just about good legs, it can also be about being a good bike handler, position himself in the right place in the peloton, to avoid crashes, things Roglic can' t do well.

 

[Elos Anjos]

He is a bad bike handler, that's why is tragic. Cycling is not just about good legs, it can also be about being a good bike handler, position himself in the right place in the peloton, to avoid crashes, things Roglic can' t do well.

Of course it's not about having just good legs.
I'm not into discussing the reasons why Roglic crashes a lot. I think he has to learn a bit more the arcane arts of positioning in the peloton and handling is bike a bit better, but of course he was insanely unlucky in several of his crashes, crashes that had nothing to do with his positioning.

 

[Peyroteo94]

Luck merchant!

 

[JimPanzen]

With all his major competitors coming to the TdF banged up, having the Giro in his legs might be smaller burden for Pogacar. Crazy season.

 

[velaso montador]

Everyone of em seems fine after the crash in dauphine. Also their A++ on route from yesterdays TT in terms of the tour. Compared that with a less than 100% Teddy after the giro and it equals the field somewhat. Gonne be exciting.

 

[AmRacer]

Everyone of em seems fine after the crash in dauphine. Also their A++ on route from yesterdays TT in terms of the tour. Compared that with a less than 100% Teddy after the giro and it equals the field somewhat. Gonne be exciting.

Tadej will be at 100% for the first stage.

 

[velaso montador]

Tadej will be at 100% for the first stage.

Maby for the first stage but thats not the point. The giro- Tour in modern time has never been done and been seen as impossible for a reason and regardless is not the best optimal preperation for the Tour its nothing else to say. That he is Pogacar and better than everyone else doesnt change that equation, the giro is not the optimal prep for the tour. It just evens the playing field so more excitment tho so all good.

 

[Peyroteo94]

He just needs to stay on his bike. Roglic and Remco are very likely gonna fell. These dudes can't stay out of trouble for a single week

 

[Lorzenz08]

Personally I'm of the opinion that Vingegaard will be in relatively great shape for the Tour.

Probably not as good as last year, but from what we've seen these previous 2 years unless Pogi is going to be significantly better, I think Vingo can edge Pogi in the third week even if he's not 100%.

That's why I really hope Pogi will be in superb shape, he's going to need it !

 

[rm2021]

That he is Pogacar and better than everyone else doesnt change that equation, the giro is not the optimal prep for the tour. It just evens the playing field so more excitment tho so all good.

No, he is not, since he is not the defending champion. Don't act like he wasn't humilliated in the last two Tours.

 

[Fos]

No, he is not, since he is not the defending champion. Don't act like he wasn't humilliated in the last two Tours.

Being defending champion does not tell anything at all.

 

[Oldermanish]

With all his major competitors coming to the TdF banged up, having the Giro in his legs might be smaller burden for Pogacar. Crazy season.

And having half a Giro in his legs is even less....no burden. He's trained to perfection and hasn't broken anything in a year or so. Good prep for LeTour.
Hope I haven't jinxed this upcoming Boucle'.

 

[Oldermanish]

No, he is not, since he is not the defending champion. Don't act like he wasn't humilliated in the last two Tours.

Humiliated? Not sure what perspective suggests anyone that rides the Tour isn't subject to pressures, illnesses and bad days. Humiliation isn't the same as disappointment, is it?

Being defending champion does not tell anything at all.

Particularly if last year's DC is on the sidelines or trying to recover.

 

[Berflamand]

I guess he knows which wheel to follow at the Tour.

Soler miraculously (and/or with a lot of skill) avoided crashing in both the mass crash at Itzulia as at Dauphiné while both times being caught right in the middle of it.