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

 

[Salvarani]

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

I think Soler and any out of Novak, Bjerg or Vermeersch would be good as well.

Narvaez is good but struggled imo. Not really done too well as a dom either. He looks like another Hirschi type, who turns up in races where he gets to race for himself.

 

[Offline]

I think Soler and any out of Novak, Bjerg or Vermeersch would be good as well.

Narvaez is good but struggled imo. Not really done too well as a dom either. He looks like another Hirschi type, who turns up in races where he gets to race for himself.

I think Narvaez as been fine as dom. He was good in MSR but was a bit out of postion. And he crash in RVV. Don't think you can be after him.

But anyway I would take Soler and then Vermeersch or Novak based on form.

Bjerg for Vuelta - He is important for the TTT

 

[Salvarani]

I think Narvaez as been fine as dom. He was good in MSR but was a bit out of postion. And he crash in RVV. Don't think you can be after him.

But anyway I would take Soler and then Vermeersch or Novak based on form.

Bjerg for Vuelta - He is important for the TTT

We can agree to disagree. I think he hasnt performed very well as a dom and also been unlucky with crashes. I have to see more from him in that role, before changing opinion.

 

[Poursuivant]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1916579667441586407

View: https://x.com/StatsOnCycling/status/1916579667441586407

 

[Tanakka]

Narvaez is good but struggled imo. Not really done too well as a dom either. He looks like another Hirschi type, who turns up in races where he gets to race for himself.

Perhaps.
Hard to tell, atm: the guy keeps crashing, ffs.
WTF : he crashed out both in Flanders and in Amstel-G-R !
Albeit UAE's execution wasn't perfect, he did his job in MSR.
And aside from Tour Down Under, it's not like he has been winning when racing for himself, this year.
Therefore...

Anyway, I don't think you really need someone like Narvaez for the TdF.
I mean, I see him as the kind of guy who is great to lead you out before you attack or sprint on a hilly stage/race, but not sure how big of a factor for the GC he'd be.
And Pogi doesn't need to win 6 GT stages every year.
Right? Right?



That said, while we are still quite far out, he is currenly listed for the TdF on PCS:
Pogačar, Almeida, Novak, Yates, Wellens, Narváez, Soler, Sivakov
While the following guys will do the Giro:
Yates, Ayuso, del Toro, Arrieta, Majka, McNulty, Vine

UAE Team Emirates - XRG 2026

UAE Team Emirates - XRG is the name of the cycling team in 2026. The main riders listed on the team are Tadej PogaÄar, João Almeida and Brandon McNulty.

www.procyclingstats.com

 

[AmRacer]

Perhaps.
Hard to tell, atm: the guy keeps crashing, ffs.
WTF : he crashed out both in Flanders and in Amstel-G-R !
Albeit UAE's execution wasn't perfect, he did his job in MSR.
And aside from Tour Down Under, it's not like he has been winning when racing for himself, this year.
Therefore...

Anyway, I don't think you really need someone like Narvaez for the TdF.
I mean, I see him as the kind of guy who is great to lead you out before you attack or sprint on a hilly stage/race, but not sure how big of a factor for the GC he'd be.
And Pogi doesn't need to win 6 GT stages every year.
Right? Right?



That said, while we are still quite far out, he is currenly listed for the TdF on PCS:
Pogačar, Almeida, Novak, Yates, Wellens, Narváez, Soler, Sivakov
While the following guys will do the Giro:
Yates, Ayuso, del Toro, Arrieta, Majka, McNulty, Vine

UAE Team Emirates - XRG 2026

UAE Team Emirates - XRG is the name of the cycling team in 2026. The main riders listed on the team are Tadej PogaÄar, João Almeida and Brandon McNulty.

www.procyclingstats.com

He must beat Cav....

 

[Monsi]

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

Soler and Novak would seem to be the best of those imo.

Perhaps.
Hard to tell, atm: the guy keeps crashing, ffs.
WTF : he crashed out both in Flanders and in Amstel-G-R !
Albeit UAE's execution wasn't perfect, he did his job in MSR.
And aside from Tour Down Under, it's not like he has been winning when racing for himself, this year.
Therefore...

Anyway, I don't think you really need someone like Narvaez for the TdF.
I mean, I see him as the kind of guy who is great to lead you out before you attack or sprint on a hilly stage/race, but not sure how big of a factor for the GC he'd be.
And Pogi doesn't need to win 6 GT stages every year.
Right? Right?



That said, while we are still quite far out, he is currenly listed for the TdF on PCS:
Pogačar, Almeida, Novak, Yates, Wellens, Narváez, Soler, Sivakov
While the following guys will do the Giro:
Yates, Ayuso, del Toro, Arrieta, Majka, McNulty, Vine

UAE Team Emirates - XRG 2026

UAE Team Emirates - XRG is the name of the cycling team in 2026. The main riders listed on the team are Tadej PogaÄar, João Almeida and Brandon McNulty.

www.procyclingstats.com

I refuse to believe UAE won't send Politt to their TDF squad after his nice showing last year. Besides, I thought that they would pretty much go for the same team as last year, with Narvaez being the replacement for Ayuso (even though I would prefer Novak over Narvaez).

 

[scribers]

That is zero chance politt is not control lieutenant and first line set up again at the tdf

 

[scribers]

Contador says pogi racing too much and it’s going to catch up to him. Is pogi already in insane schedule territory? Because pairing monuments with the giro is going to be harder (I think). And I wouldn’t be surprised to see that at least once the next two years

 

[Shortcut]

Contador says pogi racing too much and it’s going to catch up to him. Is pogi already in insane schedule territory? Because pairing monuments with the giro is going to be harder (I think). And I wouldn’t be surprised to see that at least once the next two years

He will not go to Vuelta. Amstel was pretty big warning and going against Jonas at Dauphine, TdF and Vuelta before WC and GdL is not smart. I think he wants gold at WC ITT too. And if he wins WC double +5th Lombardia this year, (that should be enough for him to not worry about those races in future) hecan go to Vuelta pretty relaxed. I hope he goes to San Sebastian this year and he finally wins Quebec.

 

[Poursuivant]

He will not go to Vuelta. Amstel was pretty big warning and going against Jonas at Dauphine, TdF and Vuelta before WC and GdL is not smart. I think he wants gold at WC ITT too. And if he wins WC double +5th Lombardia this year, (that should be enough for him to not worry about those races in future) hecan go to Vuelta pretty relaxed. I hope he goes to San Sebastian this year and he finally wins Quebec.

I think he will try and go to Lombardia every year, it’s a race he has never lost, it probably suits him most out of all the Monuments. That or LBL.