Teams & Riders Tadej Pogačar discussion thread

[Gigs_98]

You were the one to bring up your old posting (and brag about it). It was not a prediction, it was about who the best on flat cobbles was in 2023.

Not only could you not see any reason back then for not believing so, you now think it's a dunk that anyone back then questioned you.

If you don't like being dunked on, don't start by dunking on others.

EDIT: And note how far more polite my first response to you was than yours to me. I made no personal comments, you did straight away.

I'm sorry but what are we even talking about here? I said I remember people disagreeing with me about the relevance of the 2022 Tour stage and Pogis chances to win PR. You reference a discussion where people disagree with me about the relevance of the 2022 Tour stage and Pogis chances to win PR (most people did agree he had a shot at winning PR but there was a bunch of people saying he would need to put on weight and how it would not fit into a season where he is peaking for GTs). Now we are arguing over whether my 2023 comments were predictions, whether Pogacar was actually as good as MvdP on the cobbles and whether he would have been in 2023 to figure out whether some comments I made two years ago were technically correct.

Like yeah, I'm gonna fight back if you dig up ancient comments to dunk on me (and don't pretend that was not your intention) because of some small details that were not like I remembered. If you think I started "the dunking" by vaguely gesturing at some discussion I had a while ago than so be it, dunk back. But next time make sure you don't forget the ball.

 

[Peyroteo94]

None of Terpstra, Asgreen, Kristoff or Devolder (both times) would have been considered big favorites the years they won. If you count them you also have to include Gilbert, van Avermaet, Terpstra (second tier teammate of a big favorite, like Devolder at RVV), etc. for Roubaix.

My point is that the random winners like Hayman and van Summeren are notable, but not particularly frequent.

And in the era of monsters like MVDP and Pog, a true outsider is extremely unlikely to win either race, however "lucky" or not the favorites are on the day.

Terpstra was clearly a big favorite going to RVV (and Asgreen too).
But he wasn't a favorite in PR 2014. Gilbert and van Avermaet I can agree.

 

[Netserk]

I'm sorry but what are we even talking about here? I said I remember people disagreeing with me about the relevance of the 2022 Tour stage and Pogis chances to win PR. You reference a discussion where people disagree with me about the relevance of the 2022 Tour stage and Pogis chances to win PR (most people did agree he had a shot at winning PR but there was a bunch of people saying he would need to put on weight and how it would not fit into a season where he is peaking for GTs). Now we are arguing over whether my 2023 comments were predictions, whether Pogacar was actually as good as MvdP on the cobbles and whether he would have been in 2023 to figure out whether some comments I made two years ago were technically correct.

Like yeah, I'm gonna fight back if you dig up ancient comments to dunk on me (and don't pretend that was not your intention) because of some small details that were not like I remembered. If you think I started "the dunking" by vaguely gesturing at some discussion I had a while ago than so be it, dunk back. But next time make sure you don't forget the ball.

I made no dunk in my first reply to you. I was curious about your reference, reported to you that I failed to find any such post in 2022, and then merely wrote that it was unsurprising that you got pushback for a very strong statement later. When referring to past statements or actions, I find it much preferable to be concrete and faithful to the record than going off from different vague recollections. I don't see how there's any hostility in that.

That you immediately got defensive about it (and then personal) was up to you. It was not on my initiative.

 

[Peyroteo94]

The Magic Feed That Saved Tadej Pogačar at Paris-Roubaix Is Not What You Think it Was

What was the elixir that put the legs back onto Pogačar's wild ride Sunday at the 'Hell of the North?' It's not for those with a weak stomach.

velo.outsideonline.com

 

[2WpK]

The craziest part of the race for me was Pogacar risking crashing every 2 seconds by weaving on and off the pavement strip on the late sector with the black and yellow barriers, just to avoid riding those relatively mild cobbles. Did anyone comment on that yet? Was he really that wrecked at that point?

Riding hard on cobbles with a road bike is very painful.

 

[Gigs_98]

I made no dunk in my first reply to you. I was curious about your reference, reported to you that I failed to find any such post in 2022, and then merely wrote that it was unsurprising that you got pushback for a very strong statement later. When referring to past statements or actions, I find it much preferable to be concrete and faithful to the record than going off from different vague recollections. I don't see how there's any hostility in that.

That you immediately got defensive about it (and then personal) was up to you. It was not on my initiative.

I will refer you to the "don't pretend it was not your intention" part of my previous comment.

 

[Netserk]

I will refer you to the "don't pretend it was not your intention" part of my previous comment.

So you will only refer to your hallucination of what I wrote, not what I actually wrote? Where is this intention you imagine in my first reply to you?

 

[jono]

Riding hard on cobbles with a road bike is very painful.

Indeed. Just seemed a strange risk/reward calculation on a sector that was far from the most severe.

 

[Gratemans]

Indeed. Just seemed a strange risk/reward calculation on a sector that was far from the most severe.

I remember Mathieu doing exactly the same thing there last year or the year before that.

 

[SHAD0W93]

Indeed. Just seemed a strange risk/reward calculation on a sector that was far from the most severe.

I don’t know if it’s the same sector but it seems pretty frequently riders are ducking in and out of the gutter to dodge those barriers.

 

[jono]

I remember Mathieu doing exactly the same thing there last year or the year before that.

He overcooked a turn on that same sector, but otherwise was riding the cobbles.

 

[Peyroteo94]

In 2 days we will probably know if he will ride AGR or not. I hope so!
His team will probably be way better than 2 years ago so it is hard to look past him.
UAE team:
Pogacar
Christen
Novak
Grobschartner
Narvaez
And maybe Sivakov and Covi

 

[Krzysztof_O]

In 2 days we will probably know if he will ride AGR or not. I hope so!
His team will probably be way better than 2 years ago so it is hard to look past him.
UAE team:
Pogacar
Christen
Novak
Grobschartner
Narvaez
And maybe Sivakov and Covi

I think they will just let him rest and focus on another big race: Liege.

 

[Rechtschreibfehler]

I think they will just let him rest and focus on another big race: Liege.

With Pogacar it's very possible though tht he simply disagrees with them and get's his way.
Ronde + Ardenees Triple + Tour + X would also be quite the unique season I'm guessing.
He might also just want to do it because his form must be excellent as he said he pushed some of the biggest numbers, if not the biggest, on the pavés.

 

[Peyroteo94]

I think they will just let him rest and focus on another big race: Liege.

Somehow I think he gave up on GW and E3 to race AGR and FW

 

[Peyroteo94]

With Pogacar it's very possible though tht he simply disagrees with them and get's his way.
Ronde + Ardenees Triple + Tour + X would also be quite the unique season I'm guessing.
He might also just want to do it because his form must be excellent as he said he pushed some of the biggest numbers, if not the biggest, on the pavés.

Yup, FW is just a warm up race for Pogacar. It is like MSR (type of effort) with a hill in the end. He can just cruise and ride hard in the last 10 km.
AGR will also be a training race for him.

 

[Krzysztof_O]

Yup, FW is just a warm up race for Pogacar. It is like MSR (type of effort) with a hill in the end. He can just cruise and ride hard in the last 10 km.
AGR will also be a training race for him.

AGR is a difficult race and just one week after PR. I'm almost certain he will not contest it. FW is more of a warm-up race and it's more likely he will be there.

 

[2WpK]

Amazing race by the GOAT. He has lots of room to improve for future PR's, mostly experience on cobble races. His inexperience showed Sunday and also his body was not ready. I have never seen him stretch his back so much. Finally, stop racing with that stupid watch on.

 

[jmdirt]

The only thing I don't like is that Van der Poel used illness as an excuse in Flanders.
I don´t think he lied, but it's not fair that the entire subsequent analysis has been reduced to that.

Illness is part of the game. There is no harm in telling the journos that you are/were sick, but it doesn't matter in the end. Even by next year many people will only remember that TP won.

 

[yaf2]

After all its crazy to think pogs season has only started and vdps season has officially ended🤣 Goat effect!

 

[jono]

After all its crazy to think pogs season has only started and vdps season has officially ended🤣 Goat effect!

VDP has already won one rainbow jersey this year and will be targeting at least one more.

 

[James M]

I'm sorry but what are we even talking about here? I said I remember people disagreeing with me about the relevance of the 2022 Tour stage and Pogis chances to win PR. You reference a discussion where people disagree with me about the relevance of the 2022 Tour stage and Pogis chances to win PR (most people did agree he had a shot at winning PR but there was a bunch of people saying he would need to put on weight and how it would not fit into a season where he is peaking for GTs). Now we are arguing over whether my 2023 comments were predictions, whether Pogacar was actually as good as MvdP on the cobbles and whether he would have been in 2023 to figure out whether some comments I made two years ago were technically correct.

Like yeah, I'm gonna fight back if you dig up ancient comments to dunk on me (and don't pretend that was not your intention) because of some small details that were not like I remembered. If you think I started "the dunking" by vaguely gesturing at some discussion I had a while ago than so be it, dunk back. But next time make sure you don't forget the ball.

You have to remember that a few, based on their projections, are wrong in every single race even now. Even if they watch every race under the sun, if thats because they fail to grasp the basics numbers, are emotionally clouded, or something entirely different I dont know but I wouldnt worrie to much about it.

Not that there's anything wrong with that—not everyone can be right like me every time, even pinpointing down to the detail that Pogacar would annihilate Cipressa and that there would be three people together afterward to the finish, or RVV after MSR, which was always a foregone conclusion. Even PR, like you said, was no surprise to anyone paying attention that he gapped several powerhouses on pure flat terrain even, based on the easily accessible maximum power output data he showcased on Cipressa (I'm saying it lightheartedly, even if true, in a jokeful way— relax, live a little.) Ive come to learned some ppl are just to emotional here and cloud their judgement severely is just a guess at least that is what I hope is the reason lol.

 

[Sciatic]

If Wout couldn't be with Pogacar in PR, which is more Wout terraint, in Amstel....

I think he'll rest. Remco has been training for weeks.
Remco could have competed earlier but he wanted to arrive rested to Liège.
Pogacar needs a break forLiège .


Gilbert did Flanders and Roubaix? And the most important, his main rival in Liège spent weeks training and resting for Liège like Remco?

That doesn’t diminish his accomplishment (though you can argue other things tarnished it) and it did establishment him at the top puncheur of that period. Schleck were formidable opponents for him at LBL.

 

[James M]

AGR is a difficult race and just one week after PR. I'm almost certain he will not contest it. FW is more of a warm-up race and it's more likely he will be there.

I, too, am interested to see if Pogacar will skip Amstel or Fleche. Fleche, one would assume with his current version, a relaxed Zone 2 ride for him, if barely that. If he skips anything, I would indeed assume Amstel.

Logically, for anyone else, skipping to refuel considering the circumstances before Liege would make perfect sense. and a given. But this guy is redefining modern cycling now with every race almost, so I wouldn’t be surprised if he competes in all three either. Let’s see—it's interesting, as it offers a glimpse into how fatigued he might be or not.

 

[yaf2]

VDP has already won one rainbow jersey this year and will be targeting at least one more.

He's finished his road season yesterday. We know how bad he is in july so the only race left is mtb worlds.