Teams & Riders Tadej Pogačar discussion thread

[JoãoRamos]

All I'm saying is that MVP is formitable right now and this is his terrain. So logically, if everything goes right, Pog shall have his hands full.

Yes. It will be an epic race, decided in the capacity of VDP to resist Pog's nuclear bombs during the race.

I truly believe VDP and Pipo are better this year comparing to 2023.
They evolved, for sure.

But I feel like Pog made an even bigger leap last year.

Of course, I can't take this anymore, 18 hours to go hahaha

 

[Peyroteo94]

Yes. It will be an epic race, decided in the capacity of VDP to resist Pog's nuclear bombs during the race.

I truly believe VDP and Pipo are better this year comparing to 2023.
They evolved, for sure.

But I feel like Pog made an even bigger leap last year.

Of course, I can't take this anymore, 18 hours to go hahaha

There is nothing like cobbled classics! Most important classics in the season!

 

[scribers]

I completely agree with this. What Pogi did on MSR is something MVP couldn't even dare to dream of.

Actually. If I’m Alpecin I do try to lift the cipressa pace a lot higher next year to keep pogi in sight

 

[JoãoRamos]

Actually. If I’m Alpecin I do try to lift the cipressa pace a lot higher next year to keep pogi in sight

Let's wait for an UAE attack at the Capos next year. Everyone waiting for the Cipressa attack and then a bloodbath earlier in the race.

 

[scribers]

Looks like uae asserted themself across the capos the last two years but they are just speed bumps for that peloton

 

[2WpK]

Don't forget the work Trek is going to do in the first half of the race to keep the break close. Pedersen knows he has to attack before Pog to have a chance. This might take some pressure off the UAE worker bees.

 

[Peyroteo94]

Don't forget the work Trek is going to do in the first half of the race to keep the break close. Pedersen knows he has to attack before Pog to have a chance. This might take some pressure off the UAE worker bees.

This will only help Pogacar.

 

[Krzysztof_O]

Koppenberg despite being shorter, is a lot harder. I think it is a good place to attack too.

Yup but shorter in duration. MVP's anaerobic capacity is off the charts so not sure if this climb will do the job.

 

[Medvind]

MVDP didn't look that good on Koppenberg in 2023. Last year he looked better and rode away from Jorgenson and Pedersen, but harder to judge since neither Pog or van Aert were in the race then.

But I think it's more of a climb to put pressure on MVDP, wear him out, than to attack away.

 

[Peyroteo94]

MVDP didn't look that good on Koppenberg in 2023. Last year he looked better and rode away from Jorgenson and Pedersen, but harder to judge since neither Pog or van Aert were in the race then.

But I think it's more of a climb to put pressure on MVDP, wear him out, than to attack away.

This is the point, he looked great last year but mainly because Pogacar wasn't there. Or does anyone believe Pogacar would not have done the same last year if MVP wasn't there?

 

[Medvind]

This the point, he looked great last year but mainly because Pogacar wasn't there. Or doesn't anyone believe Pogacar would not have done the same last year if MVP wasn't there?

Absolutely he would have. Pog not ridning away from Jorgenson on Koppenberg is not possible.

But I really don't know what to expect tomorrow. MVDP seems stronger than ever, but Pog also. We will get our answers tomorrow. Just hope there are no crashes and that we get an honest battle.

 

[Gratemans]

It really is 50/50, moreso then ever before I feel. Can't wait!

 

[Extinction]

Yes. It will be an epic race, decided in the capacity of VDP to resist Pog's nuclear bombs during the race.

I truly believe VDP and Pipo are better this year comparing to 2023.
They evolved, for sure.

But I feel like Pog made an even bigger leap last year.

Of course, I can't take this anymore, 18 hours to go hahaha

To the bolded, it could be, however, that MvDP has a watt bomb in reserve, like in MSR 2023. I'll have to watch in live streaming, because, unfortunately, RAI decided to not buy the rights to the Ronde this year. And to think, the last Italian to win a monument was Betiol, right at Flanders (ahead of MVdP, I think)! It's a travesty.

 

[JoãoRamos]

To the bolded, it could be, however, that MvDP has a watt bomb in reserve, like in MSR 2023. I'll have to watch in live streaming, because, unfortunately, RAI decided to not by the rights to the Ronde this year. And to think, the last Italian to win a monument was Betiol, right at Flanders (ahead of MVdP, I think)! It's a travesty.

He didn't have a watt bomb in RVV 2022 and RVV 2023.

MSR is a total different race imho.

So the only chance for VDP is to not lose contact and wheelsuck all day long, beating Pog in a sprint.

 

[yaf2]

Can't wait to see the so called goat of classics who is now regarded as head and shoulders above everyone being dismantled by a reigning tour de france winner on his terrain 🤭

 

[Peyroteo94]

Absolutely he would have. Pog not ridning away from Jorgenson on Koppenberg is not possible.

But I really don't know what to expect tomorrow. MVDP seems stronger than ever, but Pog also. We will get our answers tomorrow. Just hope there are no crashes and that we get an honest battle.

So we can't assess anything from last year IMHO. Nibali showed his best level in the Tour 2014 but with Contador (and Froome too) there in the mountains he wouldn't sniff a mountain stage win.

 

[Extinction]

He didn't had a watt bomb in RVV 2022 and RVV 2023.

MSR is a total different race imho.

So the only chance for VDP is to not lose contact and wheelsuck all day long, beating Pog in a sprint.

I dont know, as VDP is in probably the finest from of his career. So if Pog tries several times and VDP has a response, on the cobbles he may have a counter attack, unlike MSR, which as you say is a completely different race.

 

[JoãoRamos]

Tim Wellens:

Abandon hope, embrace the cobbles. Your legs will scream, your soul will negotiate, and your brain will beg for mercy—but none of that matters. Position like a maniac, suffer like a sinner, and make the gods of Flanders regret inviting you

Oh yeah, I am pumped.

 

[Extinction]

Tim Wellens:

Abandon hope, embrace the cobbles. Your legs will scream, your soul will negotiate, and your brain will beg for mercy—but none of that matters. Position like a maniac, suffer like a sinner, and make the gods of Flanders regret inviting you

Oh yeah, I am pumped.

Is that an actual quote?

 

[JoãoRamos]

I dont know, as VDP is in probably the finest from of his career. So if Pog tries several times and VDP has a response, on the cobbles he may have a counter attack, unlike MSR, which as you say is a completely different race.

Pogacar had the best season of all time in 2024.

So if VDP is in the finest form of his career, I believe Pog is in his best form as well.

 

[JoãoRamos]

Is that an actual quote?

Yes, on Instagram.

 

[James M]

After Pogacar's inhuman performance on piss low gradients in MSR (redefining how it’s ridden, even), it should foreshadow what’s coming. Thats nothing against MvdP, as he’s clearly better than ever and absolutely incredible, and already belongs in the pantheon of cobble cycling elites how great he is.

However, nobody should be surprised tomorrow when Pogacar raises the bar yet another level. The signs are there—either that, or people simply don’t fully understand the drag benefits on a 4% gradients with 40km/h + speed and how much power you truly save or use on several.. efforts like that. Just enjoy the show.

 

[Extinction]

Pogacar had the best season of all time in 2024.

So if VDP is in the finest form of his career, I believe Pog is in his best form as well.

I think it shall be epoca, but it remains to be seen which best is best in this race, is all I'm saying. And if another wins?

 

[JoãoRamos]

I think it shall be epoca, but it remains to be seen which best is best in this race, is all I'm saying. And if another wins?

Only if there is a crash. I can't see another winner.

About the best in this race, VDP has 3 wins, so until today, he is the best.

But I truly believe tomorrow will be total carnage and Pog will prevail in a dominant fashion.

 

[scribers]

He didn't have a watt bomb in RVV 2022 and RVV 2023.

MSR is a total different race imho.

So the only chance for VDP is to not lose contact and wheelsuck all day long, beating Pog in a sprint.

If the same thing as MSR happens, Pogi has to sit on MVP's wheel for the run in and let mvp hold off the chase.