Teams & Riders Tadej Pogačar discussion thread

[Krzysztof_O]

Atleast we can respect Remco for trying compared to the fisherman because losing humiliatingly hurts your image.

Remco has big balls and that's why he sometimes has problems uphill. And he doesn't think all his rivals have balls.

 

[Peyroteo94]

Fisherman is a respectful opponent and we just need 3 weeks until we see both in Dauphiné/Tour/Vuelta. 3 months of the best rivalry of all times.

 

[Lorzenz08]

Fisherman is a respectful opponent and we just need 3 weeks until we see both in Dauphiné/Tour/Vuelta. 3 months of the best rivalry of all times.

Yesssiirr hopefully both are at their peak physically and mentally ...

I want to see some Contador/Rasmussen action

 

[Peyroteo94]

Now, I'm relaxed about the Tour. He will show a level never seen before. All UAE are flying!

 

[Peyroteo94]

A class act!

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[Froome]

Remco knows Pogacar is on another level compared to Remco.

'Pogačar will be unreachable' - Remco Evenepoel's relaxed and realistic Tour de France approach

While his preparation for the event hasn't been smooth, Evenepoel appears calm and collected a few days before the Grand Départ in Florence

www.rouleur.cc

The article is from last year.

 

[SHAD0W93]

The article is from last year.

View: https://youtu.be/G_nOXbNetVQ?si=8CTaJ9SoMVB4Knc0

 

[Peyroteo94]

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View: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DJrrkkqMw5M/?igsh=NWs3dGZuaWtwb2tx

 

[Cycling111]

A class act!

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Something that seems normal, that wouldn't be news, if it weren't for the fact that Ayuso was one of the few teammates who didn't congratulate Pogacar on the WC.
At the TDF, in which he participated briefly, I remember him responding to Pogacar's post.

I've always had the feeling there's a one-sided problem there.
Pogacar has no problem with Ayuso, not even after the Galibier.
But Ayuso sees Pogacar as an enemy.
The problem for him is that Pogacar doesn't see it that way because he knows he's superior. And even if he weren't, Pogacar isn't even an enemy of VDP after San Remo.

It's sad to see how they also accuse Pogacar of harming Ayuso and other things I've read on X.
Today I read a guy saying that Pogacar has banned him from the Tour because he's afraid of him.

OMG. If UAE knew Ayuso was better than Pogacar, they would take him to the Tour. Just like Sky did with Froome and Jumbo did by bringing Vingegaard along with Roglic. The UAE wants to win above all else. If Ayuso were better than Pogacar, then Pogacar would hold back and take Ayuso to TDF.

In any case, it's a bit unfair to put Pogacar as the proble3m of this relation, when he's always been polite to Ayuso. It's Ayuso who finds it hard to congratulate him and coincide in races with him.

Hirschi spoke highly of Pogacar when he left the UAE. If Hirschi, who didn't like being a domestique either, said this, it's very difficult to find a teammate who doesn't get along with Pogacar.
On the other hand, Ayuso had problems whit teammates in Junior.

But it's so absurd to see Pogacar haters on X being Ayuso fans, not because of Ayuso, but because they think Pogacar bullies him or that Ayuso is better. They're using it as an anti-Pogacar symbol.

The funniest thing is that some are asking Visma to sign him and work alongside Vingegaard.
Ayuso hasn't wanted to be Pogacar's domestique since he was 19; he'll be Vingegaard's domestique now if he wins the Giro? Not sense.
By the way, it's perfectly illogical to say Ayuso is better but then want him to be Vingegaard's domestique.

Today, since I couldn't get into the forum, I read quite a few comments on X, and they're grasping at anything.

 

[Cycling111]

Now, I'm relaxed about the Tour. He will show a level never seen before. All UAE are flying!

I don't entirely agree. The three guys who are flying are not going to the Tour: Ayuso, Del Toro, and Vine.

I've seen Yates in decline since the Vuelta. He's lost some form, and he's going to arrive at the Tour with a double.

Right now, Pogacar has to hope Almeida doesn't have an accident in the Tour. Because if he needs a mountain domestique, the only one in shape is him.

Sivakov has had a terrible year in the mountains. Narvaez isn't a climber; I've already said I'm not convinced by his inclusion in the team. Yates is raising doubts this year and could arrive fatigued.
The rest climbers simply aren't going to the Tour.

TDF climbers:. Almeida perfect. Yates, today his brother Simon was better again, Sivakov is having a bad year in climbs.
Visma: Jorgenson perfect. Kuss, many doubts, but he is a rider who other years has been getting in shape for just for the Tour. Simon Yates, doubtful, but this year so far better than Adam in Giro and Tirreno.

I have the feeling that the UAE has bet so heavily on Ayuso's victory. Del Toro should´ve been a domestique in the Tour.

 

[Shortcut]

Something that seems normal, that wouldn't be news, if it weren't for the fact that Ayuso was one of the few teammates who didn't congratulate Pogacar on the WC.
At the TDF, in which he participated briefly, I remember him responding to Pogacar's post.

I've always had the feeling there's a one-sided problem there.
Pogacar has no problem with Ayuso, not even after the Galibier.
But Ayuso sees Pogacar as an enemy.
The problem for him is that Pogacar doesn't see it that way because he knows he's superior. And even if he weren't, Pogacar isn't even an enemy of VDP after San Remo.

It's sad to see how they also accuse Pogacar of harming Ayuso and other things I've read on X.
Today I read a guy saying that Pogacar has banned him from the Tour because he's afraid of him.

OMG. If UAE knew Ayuso was better than Pogacar, they would take him to the Tour. Just like Sky did with Froome and Jumbo did by bringing Vingegaard along with Roglic. The UAE wants to win above all else. If Ayuso were better than Pogacar, then Pogacar would hold back and take Ayuso to TDF.

In any case, it's a bit unfair to put Pogacar as the proble3m of this relation, when he's always been polite to Ayuso. It's Ayuso who finds it hard to congratulate him and coincide in races with him.

Hirschi spoke highly of Pogacar when he left the UAE. If Hirschi, who didn't like being a domestique either, said this, it's very difficult to find a teammate who doesn't get along with Pogacar.
On the other hand, Ayuso had problems whit teammates in Junior.

But it's so absurd to see Pogacar haters on X being Ayuso fans, not because of Ayuso, but because they think Pogacar bullies him or that Ayuso is better. They're using it as an anti-Pogacar symbol.

The funniest thing is that some are asking Visma to sign him and work alongside Vingegaard.
Ayuso hasn't wanted to be Pogacar's domestique since he was 19; he'll be Vingegaard's domestique now if he wins the Giro? Not sense.
By the way, it's perfectly illogical to say Ayuso is better but then want him to be Vingegaard's domestique.

Today, since I couldn't get into the forum, I read quite a few comments on X, and they're grasping at anything.

Crazy stats: Since Tadej Pogačar joined UAE Team in 2019, there have been 81 major races — including all Grand Tours (18X), Monuments(34X), Big classics (Strade Bianche, Amstel Gold Race, La Flèche Wallonne)21X, World Championships(6X), and the Olympic road races (2X).
Across all of them, not a single teammate of Pogačar has finished 1st or 2nd (!!!). it will be funny when someone gets to it just 1 time- it will be enough for media to start a argument how somebody else deserves a chance instead of Pogacar.

 

[Peyroteo94]

I don't entirely agree. The three guys who are flying are not going to the Tour: Ayuso, Del Toro, and Vine.

I've seen Yates in decline since the Vuelta. He's lost some form, and he's going to arrive at the Tour with a double.

Right now, Pogacar has to hope Almeida doesn't have an accident in the Tour. Because if he needs a mountain domestique, the only one in shape is him.

Sivakov has had a terrible year in the mountains. Narvaez isn't a climber; I've already said I'm not convinced by his inclusion in the team. Yates is raising doubts this year and could arrive fatigued.
The rest climbers simply aren't going to the Tour.

TDF climbers:. Almeida perfect. Yates, today his brother Simon was better again, Sivakov is having a bad year in climbs.
Visma: Jorgenson perfect. Kuss, many doubts, but he is a rider who other years has been getting in shape for just for the Tour. Simon Yates, doubtful, but this year so far better than Adam in Giro and Tirreno.

I have the feeling that the UAE has bet so heavily on Ayuso's victory. Del Toro should´ve been a domestique in the Tour.

Yates deserved a last shot. Don't forget he had a bad crash 2 days ago.

 

[Cycling111]

Yates deserved a last shot. Don't forget he had a bad crash 2 days ago.

As I said, that's the problem with not signing domestiques. Between opportunities and dedicating so much team to the Giro, they could find themselves with worse mountain domestiques in a TDF, except for Almeida

If Sivakov continues his poor shape in the Tour, Almeida will be the only reliable mountain domestique. We'll see if Pogacar needs to sacrifice Almeida, and if he sacrifices himself, as Kuss and Jorgenson would do for Vingegaard.

Del Toro is the best in the mountains this year. That being the case, they should have brought him to the Tour.

They've prioritized personal interests and Ayuso's Giro.
They´ve a star-studded team, but if Sivakov doesn't recover and Yates arrives fatigued, that arrogance of going into the Tour with such high ambitions along the way could kill them.

 

[Peyroteo94]

As I said, that's the problem with not signing domestiques. Between opportunities and dedicating so much team to the Giro, they could find themselves with worse mountain domestiques in a TDF, except for Almeida

If Sivakov continues his poor shape in the Tour, Almeida will be the only reliable mountain domestique. We'll see if Pogacar needs to sacrifice Almeida, and if he sacrifices himself, as Kuss and Jorgenson would do for Vingegaard.

Del Toro is the best in the mountains this year. That being the case, they should have brought him to the Tour.

They've prioritized personal interests and Ayuso's Giro.
They´ve a star-studded team, but if Sivakov doesn't recover and Yates arrives fatigued, that arrogance of going into the Tour with such high ambitions along the way could kill them.

It's too early to tell Del Toro is the best mountain domestique in UAE. They didn't even race the first mountain stage.

 

[Cycling111]

It's too early to tell Del Toro is the best mountain domestique in UAE. They didn't even race the first mountain stage.

He's been the best all year.
Sivakov has been giving off a bad feeling in the mountains all year.
Yates has been showing small signs of decline for months, and they're putting him in the Giro-Tour.

Those are trends; they can change. But UAE is taking too many risks to the Tour out of ambition.

I hope they don't pay the price at the Tour for trying to monopolize the Giro like this.
Last year, Pogacar was given a minimal team for the Giro, and the Tour team was at 100%. This year, they're bringing a team that's too strong for the Giro, and the Tour team has serious doubts about being able to be at 80% in some cases like Yates. And riders who were in shape last year, like Sivakov, are not this year.

This year, fittest climbers aside from Almeida, seem to be Del Toro and Vine, I'm not counting Ayuso because he wouldn't have been a domestique in any case.

 

[Peyroteo94]

He's been the best all year.
Sivakov has been giving off a bad feeling in the mountains all year.
Yates has been showing small signs of decline for months, and they're putting him in the Giro-Tour.

Those are trends; they can change. But UAE is taking too many risks to the Tour out of ambition.

I hope they don't pay the price at the Tour for trying to monopolize the Giro like this.
Last year, Pogacar was given a minimal team for the Giro, and the Tour team was at 100%. This year, they're running a team that's too strong for the Giro, and the Tour team has serious doubts about being able to be at 80% in some cases like Yates. And riders who were in shape last year, like Sivakov, are not this year.

This year, fittest climbers aside from Almeida, seem to be Del Toro and Vine, I'm not counting Ayuso because he wouldn't have been a domestique in any case.

You need to wait for the high mountains. Vine is not good, he is always crashing so of course he will not be in the Tour.

 

[Salvarani]

Sivakov won Andalucia in the early season. Then rode both PN and Catalunya, maybe wasnt at his best here sure... but he was then very solid in Ardennes for Pog.

It is clear as day the obective, for him and others, is to be in best possible shape when it will matter the most.

Like last year... he pretty much was on the same trajectory. Slower first half of the season, but was very good in the Tour. Carried that form into the second half of the season.

Del Toro and Vine are good climbers. However, Del Toro is still very young and Tour is a different animal. Vine is unreliable and prone to crashes.

Pog team for the Tour makes perfect sense. High caliber doms that can push every day. A few that goes great on different terrain. Experienced.

Pollit, Wellens, Sivakov, Soler... those guys are great. Add Almeida and Yates to that and you have a very strong team. Then just take your pick between Novak/Narvaez for the last spot.

 

[Peyroteo94]

Sivakov won Andalucia in the early season. Then rode both PN and Catalunya, maybe wasnt at his best here sure... but he was then very solid in Ardennes for Pog.

It is clear as day the obective, for him and others, is to be in best possible shape when it will matter the most.

Like last year... he pretty much was on the same trajectory. Slower first half of the season, but was very good in the Tour. Carried that form into the second half of the season.

Del Toro and Vine are good climbers. However, Del Toro is still very young and Tour is a different animal. Vine is unreliable and prone to crashes.

Pog team for the Tour makes perfect sense. High caliber doms that can push every day. A few that goes great on different terrain. Experienced.

Pollit, Wellens, Sivakov, Soler... those guys are great. Add Almeida and Yates to that and you have a very strong team. Then just take your pick between Novak/Narvaez for the last spot.

Both Narvaez and Novak are not good enough IMHO. Narvaez is a puncheur and Novak is just not good enough.

 

[Salvarani]

Both Narvaez and Novak are not good enough IMHO. Narvaez is a puncheur and Novak is just not good enough.

Ok. Dont agree.

 

[Peyroteo94]

Ok. Dont agree.

But you can't deny Narvaez is a huge downgrade to Ayuso. I'm not worried because Vingegaard and Pogacar are so much better than thoir domestiques which means Pogacar "only" needs to follow Vingegaard. If not, UAE is not bringing him back no matter what.

 

[Cycling111]

Sivakov won Andalucia in the early season. Then rode both PN and Catalunya, maybe wasnt at his best here sure... but he was then very solid in Ardennes for Pog.

It is clear as day the obective, for him and others, is to be in best possible shape when it will matter the most.

Like last year... he pretty much was on the same trajectory. Slower first half of the season, but was very good in the Tour. Carried that form into the second half of the season.

Del Toro and Vine are good climbers. However, Del Toro is still very young and Tour is a different animal. Vine is unreliable and prone to crashes.

Pog team for the Tour makes perfect sense. High caliber doms that can push every day. A few that goes great on different terrain. Experienced.

Pollit, Wellens, Sivakov, Soler... those guys are great. Add Almeida and Yates to that and you have a very strong team. Then just take your pick between Novak/Narvaez for the last spot.

There were no high mountains in Andalusia, and Sivakov won because Van Gils was alone and three UAE riders destroyed him on a mid-mountain day. On queen-stage, Pidcock won individually, Sivakov wasn´t superior. His overall victory was due to his team's numerical superiority.

In Paris-Nice and other races with harder mountains, Sivakov was very poor.
In Paris-Nice, he said he was sick, but he didn't improve in other races.

Trends seem important to me. The obvious example is Kuss; his trend in 2023 was positive and in 2024 negative. It's hard to change a one-year trend.
If Del Toro is on an upward trend and Sivakov raises doubts, they´ve to have Del Toro as a reserve for the Tour if Sivakov doesn't improve his numbers in May.

And if Adam shows signs of having dropped a bit, don't have him do the Giro-Tour.
In any case, you don't make both decisions simultaneously: take Sivakov to the Tour, ruling out Del Toro, and then take Yates to the Giro.

I may be wrong, but my opinion is that because of their over-ambition for the Giro d'Italia, they are taking some risks for the Tour.

 

[Salvarani]

But you can't deny Narvaez is a huge downgrade to Ayuso. I'm not worried because Vingegaard and Pogacar are so much better than thoir domestiques which means Pogacar "only" needs to follow Vingegaard. If not, UAE is not bringing him back no matter what.

He is not a downgrade in terms of being useful and helpful for the team.

You fixate too much on the individual and not the team put together. How they will work together.

Hence both Narvaez and Novak would be a good additions for the last spot.

 

[Salvarani]

There were no high mountains in Andalusia, and Sivakov won because Van Gils was alone and three UAE riders destroyed him on a mid-mountain day.

In Paris-Nice and other races with tougher mountains, Sivakov was very ill.
In Paris-Nice, he said he was sick, but he didn't improve in other races.

Sivakov is a proven and great rider. That you think he shouldnt be in the Tour team is just laughable.

Having Soler, Sivakov, Yates and Almeida is some of the best support you can have for the mountains.

 

[Cycling111]

Ok. Dont agree.

Neither Novak nor Narvaez are better climbers than Del Toro.
Narvaez is a mid-mountain rider. Another one who was terrible at Paris-Nice.

It's mots importante to have Yates at 100% for the Tour than Narvaez or Novak. Especially since there are doubts about Yates' performance, and last year he had a bad GC performance in the Vuelta because of double two GTs.

 

[Salvarani]

They are not taking any risks with the Tour team...

Hence it is Politt, Wellens, Soler, Sivakov, Yates, Almeida, Narvaez or Novak that are currently listed to go.

This is as conservative and "safe" as you can go with the selection. Both in terms of experience, reliability and proven record.

Del Toro would be a risk because of his age. They dont want to send him to Tour already.
Vine crash prone and unreliable.
McNulty unreliable.
Ayuso showed last year he wasnt gonna be a team player.
Majka has just gotten a bit too old, but perfect to take care of and look after the above in the Giro.

Guys like Morgado, Christen and so on are just too young.

Bjerg has not been good this year.

And Grosschartner is most likely someone that should be among the first reserves for me, if something happens before the Tour.