Teams & Riders Tadej Pogačar discussion thread

[Salvarani]

Probably need one more good leadout before Narvaez takes over. If they nuke Berta (which they should), I think Wellens will have to takeover on the flat to keep the pace going.

Maybe Christen or Morgado could do Wellens part, that he did today, in the future. They are inexperienced, as of now, though.

 

[Sciatic]

He started his sprint in the perfect moment. Ganna wasn't ready. Pog was too far behind trying to come out of Ganna's slipstream.
In my opinion that doesn't change the outcome. It was a smart sprint. And looking at the gap he created also a really strong sprint. Produced by far the best numbers.

Agreed. in addition MVDP has such snap in those 1st few pedal strokes, so that plus Ganna having to cross the road to get on his wheel sealed the deal.

 

[Peyroteo94]

But how will guys like Politt and the others deal with a hard pace from Del Toro there? I just dont see it as of now... how it would be beneficial.

You risk losing a couple of guys and then maybe Wellens has to work on the flat section already.

I don't believe Del Toro can drop in 1.8 km Politt and Vermeersch.

 

[Monsi]

Maybe Christen or Morgado could do Wellens part, that he did today, in the future. They are inexperienced though.

Yeah either one of them is a good shout.

 

[Salvarani]

I don't believe Del Toro can drop in 1.8 km Politt and Vermeersch.

Hmm, I am not completely sold on that but who knows.

 

[Peyroteo94]

Hmm, I am not completely sold on that but who knows.

Don't forget how easy is the race before Berta. Politt and Vermeersch are not bad in climbs.

 

[Extinction]

He was on the limit, this is why his attack was not able to drop Pogacar and maitain the gap for more than 2 seconds.

I meant just to be able to attack at all.

 

[Salvarani]

Don't forget how easy is the race before Berta. Politt and Vermeersch are not bad in climbs.

I think it depends on how hard Del Toro goes, but I still think that is maybe asking for too much out of Pollit and Vermeersch. I think you might be overestimating them a little here.

It was with great intention they wanted Politt to be there after Berta today and didnt want to force the race at that stage imo.

 

[rafa92]

guys after today I believe one day pog can win starting from cipressa. Today his team was not good enough again, better than last year but not good enough. Basically apart from wellens and narvaez the others were useless, on the capis they did not increase the pace, 500 meters before cipressa they were in good position but at the start only wellens was there in the first positions, pog was not in the first 20 riders,while vdp and ganna were in the first 5 positions. I was surpised by how good and relevant narvaez was. To win pog needs to start in the first 10 positions cipressa, and have one more helper, I believe they could do cipressa in 15 sec faster this way. Plus vdp sooner or later will not be in this shape, if pog did this last year the vdp of msr 2024 would have been dropped, and being almost 4 years older, pog will have his chance in the next 3-4 years

 

[James M]

My personal Make A Wish Foundation scenario:

Pogacar nukes Cipressa, as he will as well. MvdP follows, along with Pedersen (I've gained more and more respect for him and the way he kills himself for his teammates every chance he gets).

They actually work with Pogi, and the trio creates an epic version. As for the winner, I wouldn't mind whoever among those three. I love MvdP, he's generational. Pedersen earning his first monument would be fantastic as well. Pog will win it regardless one year, dont mind leaving the cannibal hungry for more he's still only 26.

Im just posting this here. Swap Ganna with Pedersen and my make a wish foundation was spot on. Im the goat.

 

[Peyroteo94]

I meant just to be able to attack at all.

Ok, fair enough. But I think he was on the limit, specially when they are 2 km away from the top of Poggio.

 

[Bombarolo]

The Goat.

 

[Peyroteo94]

guys after today I believe one day pog can win starting from cipressa. Today his team was not good enough again, better than last year but not good enough. Basically apart from wellens and narvaez the others were useless, on the capis they did not increase the pace, 500 meters before cipressa they were in good position but at the start only wellens was there in the first positions, pog was not in the first 20 riders,while vdp and ganna were in the first 5 positions. I was surpised by how good and relevant narvaez was. To win pog needs to start in the first 10 positions cipressa, and have one more helper, I believe they could do cipressa in 15 sec faster this way. Plus vdp sooner or later will not be in this shape, if pog did this last year the vdp of msr 2024 would have been dropped, and being almost 4 years older, pog will have his chance in the next 3-4 years

I hope they get a full classics team next year. Pogi just needs a train of 3 riders in the front when they hit Cipressa.

 

[Extinction]

Ok, fair enough. But I think he was on the limit, specially when they are 2 km away from the top of Poggio.

Of course he was on the limit. Anybody that got punched in the face that many times would be. However, Pogi had to at all costs drop him on the Poggio to win the race, but didn't. And so when Mathieu was even able to attack at the top, I know Pog's fate was sealed. Even he can't shoot that many bullets and not go from being at a point of strength to weakness. When MVDP had the legs to take a dig at the top of the Poggio, I realized nobody would come around him in the sprint.

 

[rafa92]

just rewatched cipressa, narvaez and pog started the climb outside the first 25 riders and while wellens was going full gas with vdp and ganna in p2 and p3, they had to make up a lot of ground, at one point they were 100 meters behind van der poel. How is it possible that UAE is always so bad at positioning there, I mean it's clearly difficult to enter with a full train at the front, but you should at least be able to have wellens, narvaez and pog in the first 10 positions. Congrats to narvaez, he was very strong to do that last pull after having to get past so many riders

 

[scribers]

Anyone find any details about the crash at the base of the Cipressa. I think Pollit was behind it, which indicates to me somewhat about what went wrong with positioning.

 

[scribers]

just rewatched cipressa, narvaez and pog started the climb outside the first 25 riders and while wellens was going full gas with vdp and ganna in p2 and p3, they had to make up a lot of ground, at one point they were 100 meters behind van der poel. How is it possible that UAE is always so bad at positioning there, I mean it's clearly difficult to enter with a full train at the front, but you should at least be able to have wellens, narvaez and pog in the first 10 positions. Congrats to narvaez, he was very strong to do that last pull after having to get past so many riders

UAE decided to stay on the facing right side of the road heading into the series of turns at the bottle neck, and INEOS/Alpecin stayed on the facing left. This tactic plus crash did not work for Pogi and I think he loses this race on positioning.

 

[Peyroteo94]

just rewatched cipressa, narvaez and pog started the climb outside the first 25 riders and while wellens was going full gas with vdp and ganna in p2 and p3, they had to make up a lot of ground, at one point they were 100 meters behind van der poel. How is it possible that UAE is always so bad at positioning there, I mean it's clearly difficult to enter with a full train at the front, but you should at least be able to have wellens, narvaez and pog in the first 10 positions. Congrats to narvaez, he was very strong to do that last pull after having to get past so many riders

Yep. I fully agree. One day they will hit their goal and be in the front. When that day arrives, Pogacar will kill them all.

 

[scribers]

I hope they get a full classics team next year. Pogi just needs a train of 3 riders in the front when they hit Cipressa.

Following comments from mou, UAE (the sheik) values the tour above most anything else and this has caused some discontent in the ranks of the team regarding various race leadership roles. They've got to get their house in order big time, before Pogi gets what he needs to prevail in this race.

 

[scribers]

INEOS of all friggin teams lined up Ganna with what he needed today. No polemics there

 

[Peyroteo94]

INEOS of all friggin teams lined up Ganna with what he needed today. No polemics there

It is easier for Ineos to build a team for MSR compared to UAE. All eyes are on Pogacar, not Ganna.

 

[Extinction]

It is easier for Ineos to build a team for MSR compared to UAE. All eyes are on Pogacar, not Ganna.

Right, but Ganna still had to deliver in his "home race" and did as much as he could.

 

[Peyroteo94]

Right, but Ganna still had to deliver in his "home race" and did as much as he could.

He was clearly very strong but still not good enough and this is the only race he can compete.

 

[Red Rick]

He was clearly very strong but still not good enough and this is the only race he can compete.

He competes in Roubaix as well.

 

[James M]

It is easier for Ineos to build a team for MSR compared to UAE. All eyes are on Pogacar, not Ganna.

This is exactly right, and a big part of MSR's problem (along with the ridiculously easy route, of course) is that the incentive is on Pogacar alone. MvdP can sit on his wheel because he knows he has a better sprint, and the drag benefits are enormous at that speed and on those gradients.

Take nothing away from MvdP he is among the best cyclist to ever live on this particular thing, short efforts, these gradients his power output is ridiculous.

I do believe UAE can do a better job, but the problem will remain for the moment until MvdP is gone—which will happen eventually.