Teams & Riders Tadej Pogačar discussion thread

[Peyroteo94]

How can you claim that this era is stronger when a ski jumper turns into cycling in his mid 20s and becomes a multiple GT winner?
You have more riders and more nations competing, that's true, but that's not a proof for a stronger era.

Riders turning to cycling from other sports and starting to win, however, makes you ask how strong the era actually is?
(both of these are legit questions)

And then you can bring the argument that riders nowadays can't compete in GTs and cobbled classics (except for Pogacar) and you can conclude, based on everything above, that today's era is actually weak in competition.

See how twisted can the "weak era" argument can be and how it can work in both directions?

No mate. A rider like WVA would be a multiple GT and classics winner in the 70s. But nowadays, he is a "specialist" in cobbled classics despite being a good all around. However in this era, he can only fight for wins in cobbled classics (or races like MSR). He can't win Gts or hilly classics like LBL or GdL but I strongly believe he could do that in the 70s. Specialization is a proof how cycling has becoming harder and better.
But let's move on, this is pointless. You will never agree with me.

 

[YavorD]

No mate. A rider like WVA would be a multiple GT and classics winner in the 70s. But nowadays, he is a "specialist" in cobbled classics despite being a good all around. However in this era, he can only fight for wins in cobbled classics (or races like MSR). He can't win Gts or hilly classics like LBL or GdL but I strongly believe he could do that in the 70s. Specialization is a proof how cycling has becoming harder and better.
But let's move on, this is pointless. You will never agree with me.

You are the one comparing era's. I simply gave you enough arguments to support a theory that today's era may be actually weak.

Then you started projecting Van Aert's s palmares in the 70s which is as solid argument, as me saying "With the training methods and nutrition of today Merckx would run circles around Pogacar and win every bike race he attends".

 

[ChewbaccaDefense]

All this talk of the capra aegagrus hircus has me confused??

 

[Salvarani]

Specialization is a proof how cycling has becoming harder and better.

Absolutely, saying anything else is like saying the earth is flat.

Thats why it so special to see what a rider like Pog is doing at the moment. Incredible rider .

 

[Peyroteo94]

Absolutely, saying anything else is like saying the earth is flat.

Thats why it so special to see what a rider like Pog is doing at the moment. Incredible rider .

Yep. We are living in a era where we have a rider who is not gonna last forever and we probably won't see another rider like him for the next 20/30 years (I don't know how many years).

 

[Peyroteo94]

I saw PCS startlist for MSR and McNulty is expected to race MSR? It would be better to see him in Catalunya. He can't move a finger for other rider as we will see in PN.

 

[Salvarani]

I saw PCS startlist for MSR and McNulty is expected to race MSR? It would be better to see him in Catalunya. He can't move a finger for other rider as we will see in PN.

Unless he helps early on the Capos... I definitely think he will get lost in the mix in the positioning before Cipressa and will be far back going into it. Wont be of much help.

This will likely be key for UAE. Last year the others all crowded UAE and then spread out on the road in Cipressa. They will try do that again. It took a while before Covi, Del Toro and so on could get to the front. Ulissi and Hirschi completely useless.

UAE need to thin out the peloton a bit on the Capos. Drop some roulers.

 

[Netserk]

I saw PCS startlist for MSR and McNulty is expected to race MSR? It would be better to see him in Catalunya. He can't move a finger for other rider as we will see in PN.

As we saw last year in PN, he is their best card for GC. Rain, wind, splits and Almeida is gone.

 

[Poursuivant]

Unless he helps early on the Capos... I definitely think he will get lost in the mix in the positioning before Cipressa and will be far back going into it. Wont be of much help.

This will likely be key for UAE. Last year the others all crowded UAE and then spread out on the road in Cipressa. They will try do that again. It took a while before Covi, Del Toro and so on could get to the front. Ulissi and Hirschi comletely useless.

UAE need to thin out the peloton a bit on the Capos. Drop some roulers.

I have thought this year is Pog’s to win MSR, but The closer it gets I am changing my mind, it will be very difficult to drop Ganna, MVDP, Even Phillipsen on Cipressa or Poggio, the climbs just aren’t very hard for him. I predict a second place to one of the above.

Having said that, I do think to wait for Poggio would be a mistake and he should at least try on Cipressa.

 

[Gratemans]

I really enjoy these new viewpoints on who's the greatest of all time. Some very interesting arguments I never heard before..

 

[Rob5091]

I expect everyone here is pumped for Pogi Team starting tomorrow?
https://www.procyclingstats.com/race/istrian-spring-tour/2025/startlist

 

[Peyroteo94]

I have thought this year is Pog’s to win MSR, but The closer it gets I am changing my mind, it will be very difficult to drop Ganna, MVDP, Even Phillipsen on Cipressa or Poggio, the climbs just aren’t very hard for him. I predict a second place to one of the above.

Having said that, I do think to wait for Poggio would be a mistake and he should at least try on Cipressa.

MSR will be very tough to win. Race is too easy, probably they will introduce Manie in the future but right now, Pogi doesn't have a chance.

 

[Peyroteo94]

As we saw last year in PN, he is their best card for GC. Rain, wind, splits and Almeida is gone.

McNulty is a very overrated climber.
Edit: unreliable and not overrated (a little bit)