Teams & Riders Tadej Pogačar discussion thread

[Peyroteo94]

Such an incredible rider. 9 Monuments (4x Lombardia, 3 LBL, 2 RVV), podium in the other two missing monuments, 4 GTs, WC... Now onto the summer campaign to tick off Dauphine and a 4th TdF with multiple stage wins to get him closer to the record.

He can become the second biggest winner (if we count only big wins: GTs, monuments, WCRR and ORR) in cycling after this season. Only behind Merckx. Incredible!

 

[Netserk]

But to be a helper, you need to give everything you have when you are helping him, something you didn’t do in PR.

"I wouldn't mind going down in history as a very good helper of Tadej" - Florian Vermeersch excited to witness history being written first-hand

Tadej Pogacar had absolutely no mercy with his opponents at Liege-Bastogne-Liege and successfully defended his title from year ago. What's so special about this victory? Pogacar now trails only behind...

cyclinguptodate.com

When in the race should he have given more? The selection happened so quickly and Pogi never waited for his teammates to join him.

 

[Peyroteo94]

When in the race should he have given more? The selection happened so quickly and Pogi never waited for his teammates to join him.

He needs to anticipate Pogacar's move (or other favorites). Trying to be in a group ahead in case Pogacar attacks and join him. If he waits for MVP or Pogacar, he will never help.

 

[Monsi]

But to be a helper, you need to give everything you have when you are helping him, something you didn’t do in PR.

"I wouldn't mind going down in history as a very good helper of Tadej" - Florian Vermeersch excited to witness history being written first-hand

Tadej Pogacar had absolutely no mercy with his opponents at Liege-Bastogne-Liege and successfully defended his title from year ago. What's so special about this victory? Pogacar now trails only behind...

cyclinguptodate.com

That's kinda unfair to him. Vermeersch wasn't even given a chance to do that. He just caught up with the front group post-Arenberg when MVDP made that massive attack which formed the 5-man front group that contested the finale. Pogi could've chose to not work with the group but that did not happen.

 

[Cycling111]

Pogacar's biggest advantage yesterday was on the flattest sections, as in Lombardy 2024, and in Flanders 2023 and 2025. In Zurich, he maintained his advantage.

Pogacar's ability on flat sections in races of 200 km or more is underestimated.
That ability was questioned at Amstel, the race after Roubaix, when it was an exception.
Pogacar has typically maintained his advantage or increased it on the flat.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1916599167339712629

View: https://x.com/ammattipyoraily/status/1916599167339712629

 

[Roku]

Pogi did a 40 km solo, he needed to keep a regular pace, while Healy and others needed to give almost their all in Roche aux Faucons. I would not read too much about it.

Regarding Amstel, I think it does not suit him as good as other races. He also had a hard time to beat Healy in 2023. It's a weird race, extremely technical, changes of direction...

 

[Cycling111]

Pogi did a 40 km solo, he needed to keep a regular pace, while Healy and others needed to give almost their all in Roche aux Faucons. I would not read too much about it.

Regarding Amstel, I think it does not suit him as good as other races. He also had a hard time to beat Healy in 2023. It's a weird race, extremely technical, changes of direction...

Flanders is more technical.

Amstel is the first race after the cobbles classics. That's the problem.
Van der Poel said last year that Amstel was his worst race physically.

 

[Red Rick]

Pogi did a 40 km solo, he needed to keep a regular pace, while Healy and others needed to give almost their all in Roche aux Faucons. I would not read too much about it.

Regarding Amstel, I think it does not suit him as good as other races. He also had a hard time to beat Healy in 2023. It's a weird race, extremely technical, changes of direction...

Ofcourse it's fairly meaningless.

All it basically tells you is that Ciccone and Healy weren't going fully crazy in the chase and saved some for the RaF, which makes sense. And then after they do that they go back to being slower than Pogacar until Pog slows down to celebrate.

 

[Peyroteo94]

Pogacar's biggest advantage yesterday was on the flattest sections, as in Lombardy 2024, and in Flanders 2023 and 2025. In Zurich, he maintained his advantage.

Pogacar's ability on flat sections in races of 200 km or more is underestimated.
That ability was questioned at Amstel, the race after Roubaix, when it was an exception.
Pogacar has typically maintained his advantage or increased it on the flat.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1916599167339712629

View: https://x.com/ammattipyoraily/status/1916599167339712629

He didn't go all out on La Redoute because he was preserving some energy to nuke that flat section

 

[Netserk]

He needs to anticipate Pogacar's move (or other favorites). Trying to be in a group ahead in case Pogacar attacks and join him. If he waits for MVP or Pogacar, he will never help.

And when in the race (Roubaix) was that? As events unfolded (and how Pogi raced), I don't think you can blame Vermeersch for not giving his all.

 

[Red Rick]

We live in a world where Pog has a magical I win button he can click any time but when he does it early his teammates get blamed for not doing enough.

What a time to be alive

 

[James M]

I too find it wild to criticize his team when they're doing an awesome job. In PR, they constantly had him at the front until Arenberg etc untill he went himself. Hardly anyone has better support than him throughout.

Criticizing Vermeersch, for instance, because he doesn't anticipate or follow MvdP and Pogacar, when no one in the world is strong enough to expect his teammates to be, is not reasonable.

 

[Jan the Man]

And when in the race (Roubaix) was that? As events unfolded (and how Pogi raced), I don't think you can blame Vermeersch for not giving his all.

Agreed thought Vermeersch did well this year. Rode well yesterday doing his job. Was very unluck in Flanders but battled back to be the springboard on Kwaremont 2. In Roubaix he was basically in the 2nd selection. Unrealistic to think he could have followed MvP much longer and selection was made early.

 

[Offline]

Spring is over - now time to look at the summer. What should be his team for TdF?

Forsure:
Almeida
Yates
Sivakov
Politt
Wellens

Last 2 spots:
Navarez
Novak
Bjerg
Soler
Vermeersch