Teams & Riders Tadej Pogačar discussion thread

[entre nous]

I recall Wout being by far the strongest rider at Tokyo 2020 RR and everyone marking him and letting him chase and fade alone.
The usual scenario for Pog capitalising on his supremacy only possible if the team controls the race until last 25 km. Pretty insane to expect that.
So he will have to launch from really afar.

 

[Krzysztof_O]

So he will have to launch from really afar.

He can do it. Even more so if he has Remco as his companion.

 

[Krzysztof_O]

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://cyclinguptodate.com/cycling/pogacar-was-very-strong-but-maybe-not-unbeatable-maxim-van-gils-sees-hope-for-other-riders-with-view-to-the-world-championships&ved=2ahUKEwiPyfzu4cmIAxVCRaQEHcJMGfc4ChDF9AEoAHoECAUQAg&usg=AOvVaw16Lr3Ky7_aZlbXiMWGwvXj

This is pretty much what I think as well. Pogacar was good but not at the highest level. Still beatable. I do think he will be stronger in 12 days though.

 

[Salvarani]

7 Tour wins are very far. Let him win 2 more first

I think the poster just said Pog is calm/relaxed about potentially matching or winning five Tours, presently.

And just pointing out that someone has even won more than that. Off the record.

Not talking about that Pog will win 7.

 

[entre nous]

But can he sustain it? Only if big teams are worn out (but for that the pace needs too be really high) or there's a competitive escape group from the bigs in front by then and he manages to cross and then sting again.

Remco's position in that race is similar without Wout, so they are kind a natural allies.

 

[Krzysztof_O]

But can he sustain it? Only if big teams are worn out (but for that the pace needs too be really high) or there's a competitive escape group from the bigs in front by then and he manages to cross and then sting again.

Remco's position in that race is similar without Wout, so they are kind a natural allies.

WC is obviously harder to control due to weaker teams, longer distance and no radios. There's always a possibility that Pog or Remco is left behind some strong group and his support isn't enough (i.e. because other teams have their representatives up the road). However, those two guys have very offensive mindset so there's a good chance they will start the decisive move (or at least won't miss it).

 

[Peyroteo94]

But can he sustain it? Only if big teams are worn out (but for that the pace needs too be really high) or there's a competitive escape group from the bigs in front by then and he manages to cross and then sting again.

Remco's position in that race is similar without Wout, so they are kind a natural allies.

There won't be any teams left after 220 km. Every leader will be alone.

 

[velaso montador]

Finally were able to watch the best cyclist of all time again what a breath of frseh air it was, once your used to watching him watching anyone else race just doesnt feel the same at all. Cant wait to WC

Exactly. Ive said this before but in 50 years people will speak about Pogacar in a way its hard to understand - We get to witness him live, its truly special.

 

[mariosommelier]

There won't be any teams left after 220 km. Every leader will be alone.

This is my dream scenario.

I just want Pogacar to annihilate Remco.

It will be glorious.

 

[Peyroteo94]

This is my dream scenario.

I just want Pogacar to annihilate Remco.

It will be glorious.

He will, Remco can't match his acceleration.

 

[Krzysztof_O]

He will, Remco can't match his acceleration.

No, he can't but he's pretty fast afterwards being the best rouleur in the world.

 

[mariosommelier]

No, he can't but he's pretty fast afterwards being the best rouleur in the world.

Yes, he is.

But the route isn't the best one for a rouleur, there is no flat or slightly rolling terrain.

Pogacar will smash him.

 

[Krzysztof_O]

Yes, he is.

But the route isn't the best one for a rouleur, there is no flat or slightly rolling terrain.

Pogacar will smash him.

The section after the climbs sequence is pretty good for him and he may bridge to Pogacar. If it happens Pogi will be the favourite in the final sprint anyway.

 

[how yes no?]

Not sure how the descent looks, but if by any chance Evenepoel and Pogačar arrive to the final descent together, I can see Tadej testing Remco there too.
Evenepoel lost quite a lot descending Galibier in Tour.
Of course descent here is shorter, but you do not want to be all-in chasing even from 10 meters behind Pogačar up that mini final ascent if you hope to outsprint him after.

 

[velaso montador]

If Evenepoel is at his best or at least the same relative level as Pogacar, I find it very difficult to see Pogacar stay away in a 20km solo.

If Evenepoel is at his best Pogacar will ride away easy how many times you need to be proven wrong before you realise whats right in front of your eyes?

I could bet 100k on Pogacar if I knew hes at his best without dropping a single calori on it even though I rate Evenepoel very very highly more than most its just not feasible or nothing else than wishful thinking, weve seen it over and over like in the Tour and other places.

Let me make this very easy cause it really is, Pogacar now is clear of everyone else in history of cycling its very easy if you think about it no need to make it harder than it is, cheerish it or not but its not gonne be close. And if people will get surprised still after now i mean i dont know what else they gonne tell themself in order to cope.

 

[Salvarani]

If Evenepoel is at his best or at least the same relative level as Pogacar, I find it very difficult to see Pogacar stay away in a 20km solo.

The real RR is back, everyone as you were.

 

[Oldermanish]

He also left the team right after that.

They pretty much showed him the door with lack of support and certainly little gratitude.

 

[Oldermanish]

So Maradona can never be a GOAT because of his handball? Or Messi because of his numerous dives?
If Pog ever gets his 0.00000001 moment because of he a bad steak, he is put in the bin and never talked about?
Armstrong was a cheat at a moment when everybody else was cheating in rather the same way.
I can totally agree that people consider him a cheat and count him out.
I don't;

Very many shades of gray exist for cyclists and other jocks what with potential for testing positive for anything. Maradona's hand ball was a singular event and Messi perfected drama. Fans never forget those relatively rare things.
Then there is the very black world some athletes live in from amateur life through a pro career. Armstrong is definitely king of that world and has done as little as possible to tell real truth or make amends. Not the same thing at all despite newbie fans embracing revisionism.

 

[Oldermanish]

Remco could still win but he has to mark and follow either Roglic or Pog. Both of them could drop him on the steep slopes and then the descent if Remco manages to hold onto their wheel. If Remco attacks first, he'll be followed and allowed to do most of the work. Although, Pog might be Pog and share the work.

If all riders are on top form, Remco comes off third best.

Remco has had difficulty staying on the wheel of either when they are at their best. Red Rick thinks Remco could retrieve Pogacar if he attempts a 20km breakaway.....don't think so if it's anywhere near the last 20km. It's the worlds and there's no holding back on the late attacks.
On the other hand; Remco won Worlds via a long break when almost everyone sat and waited for someone else to chase. Mads Peterson won because no one thought he could stay out in that cold, wet weather with MvP. Weird sh*t can happen if there is too much fussing around and a "nobody" is given some latitude and the favorites rely on their form for the last 40km. It's not a normal pro race.

 

[Krzysztof_O]

Remco has had difficulty staying on the wheel of either when they are at their best. Red Rick thinks Remco could retrieve Pogacar if he attempts a 20km breakaway.....don't think so if it's anywhere near the last 20km. It's the worlds and there's no holding back on the late attacks.
On the other hand; Remco won Worlds via a long break when almost everyone sat and waited for someone else to chase. Mads Peterson won because no one thought he could stay out in that cold, wet weather with MvP. Weird sh*t can happen if there is too much fussing around and a "nobody" is given some latitude and the favorites rely on their form for the last 40km. It's not a normal pro race.

I think we have to take into account that Remco is relatively better one-day racer than GT rider, he's more natural in hilly/rolling terrain. This is not Plateau de Beille, where Pogacar easily prevails in sustained w/kg departement. On those short climbs Pogacar can get some gap on Remco but it's possible that the Belgian (if the gap is small enough i.e. 10-15 seconds) will overcome it on the rolling 10-km section afterwards.

 

[Cookster15]

If Evenepoel is at his best or at least the same relative level as Pogacar, I find it very difficult to see Pogacar stay away in a 20km solo.

I don’t. When has Remco been at the same relative level as this years Pogacar? How is Remco going to stay with Pogacar when he launches his attack on the 2nd last climb? And when has Remco ever chased down another attacker of Pogacar’s quality?

Not saying he can’t do it and I will be the first to congratulate him but all his big wins I recall have been solo off the front of the peloton or a small group (like Wollongong) not closing down a gap on a rider of Pogacar’s level.

There is also the psychological factor. Remco will be put on the defensive. How will his legs respond in that situation?

 

[veganrob]

I just hope it is a good race that is left in doubt till the end

 

[Panda Claws]

First ever real Evenepoel vs. Pogacar one-day race battle?

 

[RedheadDane]

First ever real Evenepoel vs. Pogacar one-day race battle?

Hopefully.
We thought last year's LBL was gonna be...

 

[Salvarani]

Hopefully.
We thought last year's LBL was gonna be...

What about this year?