Teams & Riders Tadej Pogačar discussion thread

[Cycling111]

There should be a top ceiling for either of them. If both improve significantly year after year even after 30 with everything going on (crashes, intense racing all year round, media pressure), I would find that hard to explain.

Van der Poel is better than ever this year at 30, and Pedersen's progress is even more evident; he's also 30.

Pogacar turns 27 in September. Athletes typically improve in their twenties, and the prime age is usually 28 (this is an average).

 

[Peyroteo94]

Van der Poel is better than ever this year at 30, and Pedersen's progress is even more evident; he's also 30.

Pogacar turns 27 in September. Athletes typically improve in their twenties, and the prime age is usually 28 (this is an average).

I think Pogacar has 5 more seasons in him

 

[scribers]

I think Pogacar has 5 more seasons in him

Me too.

And another 5 after that.

 

[Lorzenz08]

What do you want him to say? This is an obvious answer. He can't say he will not challenge Pogacar

Of course but I like how confident he sounds.

I dont remember Pogacar having this kind of confident talk in 2023 (before his injury) or 2024 (before vingo injury).
And I dont think Pogi would ever talk this way. Pogi always says stuff like " yea training is going good, feeling good, hopefully we will do great at X "

 

[Peyroteo94]

Me too.

And another 5 after that.

5 seasons at his best.

 

[Peyroteo94]

Apparently, Pogi will return in a few days to continue his training camp in Sierra Nevada, before the Dauphine. We'll find out soon...

Where did you see that?

 

[Cookster15]

Longevity of riders is very difficult to predict. Some bloom early but fade younger. Andy Schleck came 2nd in the 2007 Giro aged just 21 but by 2012 aged 27 was past his best.

Others like Valverde are evergreen. We won’t know about Pogacar until it happens but I’d be surprised if he faded before 30. That gives him maybe 4 more years at the top.

 

[snipeheem]

Where did you see that?

Mou twitter

 

[assisting]

The problem is they both are (at least) 2 steps above everyone in GTs. They literally can gain 1 and half minutes to everybody else in a climb over 25 minutes.

Only a "problem" if they don't both start. But that's a different discussion.

I don't think that their level can get constantly much higher. Vingegaard should do better this year, if his preparation is not hindered in a severe way. Whether Pogačar can repeat or even better last years form, remains to be seen. Especially with a strong team performance, Visma might again be able to bring a real fight. I sure hope so, albeit I don't think 2024 TdF was especially disappointing. With the question mark above his form, Vingegaards win created (at least for me) some suspense until it became apparent that he can't challenge his rival.

 

[assisting]

Van der Poel is better than ever this year at 30, and Pedersen's progress is even more evident; he's also 30.

Not sure their power numbers increased. I don't see vdP significantly better than last year. He races smarter since some time, but is of course a beast of a rider for the classics and seems to have overcome his back problems. Pedersen is 29 and has been there or there about for a long time as well. He might be considerably stronger or profit from a better team. It would be very interesting to have real data.

The numbers are more apparent with stage racing and as I said, I would be surprised if the two aliens still improve significantly beyond 30. But we will see. I hope both can keep up this lifestyle for a few more years.

 

[Cycling111]

Not sure their power numbers increased. I don't see vdP significantly better than last year. He races smarter since some time, but is of course a beast of a rider for the classics and seems to have overcome his back problems. Pedersen is 29 and has been there or there about for a long time as well. He might be considerably stronger or profit from a better team. It would be very interesting to have real data.

The numbers are more apparent with stage racing and as I said, I would be surprised if the two aliens still improve significantly beyond 30. But we will see. I hope both can keep up this lifestyle for a few more years.

Of course he's improved. If Pogacar has improved since 2023 and VDP is the same distance behind in De Ronde, it's because he's improved. If he hadn't improved, he wouldn't be able to keep up with Pogacar in Cipressa. They did Cipressa KOM.
And VDP's gap with other rivals has increased.

Pedersen's performance is even more evident. Pedersen needs a three-minute break in De Ronde 2023; this year, he doesn't need an advantage to finish second.
He also looked stronger than ever in the mountains at Paris-Nice and in this Giro.

 

[Rechtschreibfehler]

Longevity of riders is very difficult to predict. Some bloom early but fade younger. Andy Schleck came 2nd in the 2007 Giro aged just 21 but by 2012 aged 27 was past his best.

Others like Valverde are evergreen. We won’t know about Pogacar until it happens but I’d be surprised if he faded before 30. That gives him maybe 4 more years at the top.

Wasn't Schlecks problem that he just didn't have the motivation any more, not physical decline?
But yeah, I guess loss of motivation also cuts longevity of a career short.

 

[SHAD0W93]

Wasn't Schlecks problem that he just didn't have the motivation any more, not physical decline?
But yeah, I guess loss of motivation also cuts longevity of a career short.

The crash really derailed his career then it didn’t help getting the 2010 TdF retroactive on top of him thinking 2011 would be an easy win.