Teams & Riders Tadej Pogačar discussion thread

[Peyroteo94]

There is a joint statement from both moderators in the moderation thread. This is one of a number of threads in which it might be worth drawing people's attention to it.

Just one thing, I think you should write this post in the Clinic.

Cheers.

 

[James M]

Congrats mate, it's the best and most frightening thing in the world!
Yeah, it's really hard to think Pogacar won't win the Tour without any misfortune and I think he didn't show his true level in the Dauphine.

Correct. Yes, he’s very obviously in a league of his own. That’s beyond obvious at this point, it takes some OL lvl mental gymnastics to think otherwise.

Cheers. Not gonna lie, it’s a bit terrifying.

 

[James M]

To me, the best one day this year. Beautiful weather, absolutely packed with people. holy grail, all contenders coming together for the final Kwaremont, with offensive riding before. Imo—that was a pure celebration of cycling.

Unorthodox for me personally, MSR was also up there this year. Same goes for PR, really good.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gdAdhZy4M6w

 

[hayneplane]

Important takes from Wellens:
- He didn't want to race the National RR because he believes it isn't a ideal prep for the Tour (extra day of travelling)
- He said he normally feels he is the worst rider because everyone in UAE (those who will race the Tour) is doing their best numbers and flying right now.
- he is climbing better than ever

What I'm thinking is: UAE will destroy the Tour in the first mountain stage. If no one crashes, this is what I think. Pogacar will win the Tour there.

Gregário de Tadej Pogacar não esconde boa forma do esloveno antes do Tour "estou dizendo isso para assustar? Não posso dizer muito o que Tadej fez"

Agora que os campeonatos nacionais na Europa ficaram para trás, o foco volta-se totalmente para o Tour de France.

girodociclismo.com.br

The first point is an interesting one and rebuts a few things about riders in UAE being all about themselves first and foremost with team goals a very distant second.

 

[Cycling111]

I read that Almeida gave an interview and talks about the podium as his goal. The same mistake Ayuso made last year, talking about his personal goal.

If Adam's condition is as bad as it was at the Giro and they need Almeida´s help, he'll have a conflict of interest like Ayuso.

We won't read Jorgenson or Simon Yates talking about their Tour de France goal.

 

[Peyroteo94]

I read that Almeida gave an interview and talks about the podium as his goal. The same mistake Ayuso made last year, talking about his personal goal.

If Adam's condition is as bad as it was at the Giro and they need Almeida´s help, he'll have a conflict of interest like Ayuso.

We won't read Jorgenson or Simon Yates talking about their Tour de France goal.

No, he won't. He is loyal and Hautacam will give us a clar idea of that. Never compare him with Ayuso again, please. I get migraines when I read things like this.

 

[scribers]

Ayuso pretends he doesn’t have the legs until it’s time to follow the selection. Haha

 

[Oldman]

I said he can't do a worse TT in the Tour compared to the one he did in the Dauphiné.

Considering the Dauphine TT looked like exactly what he wanted it to be I'd say it's within his power to tank another.
He won't. It's important now.

 

[Oldman]

We will see. Changing position isn't that difficult to perform but the problem is obviously how to maintain good levels of power and comfort. Remco is comfortable and powerful enough in a very aerodynamic position (which seem more natural for him).

Remco's position is perfect for his body, height and power. He seldom has to move at all and that helps every facet of a TT. Pogacar is that much taller and appears to change position enough to work against himself.
I'm sure he and his coaching staff know it and try to find a solution that works. Problem is the size differential and aerodynamic advantage Remco has mastered can't be easily beat. Not if Evenepoel is fresh enough to hit that comfort level. I can't name many riders that looked that natural, in that position.

 

[Krzysztof_O]

I don't want him to go. Tour-Vuelta-WCRR should be the goal.
Since Contador bossed Angliru against Purito and Valverde, it is my favorite climb alongside Mortirolo (the hardest side). So I must say I have this dream of seeing Pogacar in red, dropping everyone off his wheel while destroying Heras's record. In fact I am fancying a sub 40 minutes performance there.

I'm curious about the Vuelta by Pogi. I'm not yet convinced he will start (and be close to his best). They will make the final decision after the Tour. Intense classics campaign + Tour + Vuelta is no joke even for Pogacar.

 

[Armchair Cyclist]

Parenthood thread now exists

 

[Peyroteo94]

I'm curious about the Vuelta by Pogi. I'm not yet convinced he will start (and be close to his best). They will make the final decision after the Tour. Intense classics campaign + Tour + Vuelta is no joke even for Pogacar.

You are right but he needs to risk this year. Next year, WCRR will be tailormade for him again so it doesn't matter since he will have to race Tour-Vuelta-WC this year or next year.

 

[Peyroteo94]

Remco's position is perfect for his body, height and power. He seldom has to move at all and that helps every facet of a TT. Pogacar is that much taller and appears to change position enough to work against himself.
I'm sure he and his coaching staff know it and try to find a solution that works. Problem is the size differential and aerodynamic advantage Remco has mastered can't be easily beat. Not if Evenepoel is fresh enough to hit that comfort level. I can't name many riders that looked that natural, in that position.

Remco is very short and bulky, perfectly suited for TTs. He looks like Sonic when he curls up to create a ball ready to run fast.

 

[Krzysztof_O]

You are right but he needs to risk this year. Next year, WCRR will be tailormade for him again so it doesn't matter since he will have to race Tour-Vuelta-WC this year or next year.

They will decide after the Tour depending on his fatigue level. If not this year maybe they will adjust the next season to Tour-Vuelta double (by skipping cobbled monuments and more focus on stage-races).

 

[AmRacer]

They will decide after the Tour depending on his fatigue level. If not this year maybe they will adjust the next season to Tour-Vuelta double (by skipping cobbled monuments and more focus on stage-races).

Pogi will race PR until he wins it.

 

[Krzysztof_O]

Pogi will race PR until he wins it.

I don't think he will race it every year.
1) If they plan Tour+Vuelta more carefully in advance then his spring schedule will be very light.
2) If he loses the Tour he will skip PR (and likely Flandres as well) the next year to get his revenge.

 

[Peyroteo94]

They will decide after the Tour depending on his fatigue level. If not this year maybe they will adjust the next season to Tour-Vuelta double (by skipping cobbled monuments and more focus on stage-races).

I hope not. If he wants to be the GOAT, he needs to win MSR, PR and the Vuelta. Vuelta looks like a sure deal, the other two? Not really.

 

[Peyroteo94]

I don't think he will race it every year.
1) If they plan Tour+Vuelta more carefully in advance then his spring schedule will be very light.
2) If he loses the Tour he will automatically skip PR (and likely Flandres as well) the next year.

He wants to win them. MVP will not be here for more 3 years but he needs to try every year. There is a guy who is clearly stepping up to be the new Sagan, Brennan. He will be dangerous in MSR and PR in 2 years.

 

[Salvarani]

I don't think he will race it every year.
1) If they plan Tour+Vuelta more carefully in advance then his spring schedule will be very light.
2) If he loses the Tour he will skip PR (and likely Flandres as well) the next year to get his revenge.

Yup, been saying this. We will see what happens.

 

[Peyroteo94]

What motivates Pogacar is being the best ever. He is no longer competing with MVP, Vingegaard, etc. His opponent is Eddy Merckx.

 

[Krzysztof_O]

What motivates Pogacar is being the best ever. He is no longer competing with MVP, Vingegaard, etc. His opponent is Eddy Merckx.

It may sound trivial but to do it he has to beat Vingegaard and MVP (so yes, he's competing with them).

 

[Peyroteo94]

It may sound trivial but to do it he has to beat Vingegaard and MVP (so yes, he's competing with them).

Of course you are right but I was trying to say he no longer competes with Vingegaard to see who will be the most successful GT rider and no longer competes with MVP to see the most successful monuments rider.

 

[Shortcut]

Of course you are right but I was trying to say he no longer competes with Vingegaard to see who will be the most successful GT rider and no longer competes with MVP to see the most successful monuments rider.

He is still not so far ahead from them in term of career result (of course in separate category not overall) so i would be careful with those statments. He still just one more TdF than Jonas and one monument more than MvDP. Just one crash, ilness or really bad day away and Jonas can win both TDF and Vuelta this year, that would mean 3 TdF +1 GT, so the same as Tadej.

 

[Peyroteo94]

He is still not so far ahead from them in term of career result (of course in separate category not overall) so i would be careful with those statments. He still just one more TdF than Jonas and one monument more than MvDP. Just one crash, ilness or really bad day away and Jonas can win both TDF and Vuelta this year, that would mean 3 TdF +1 GT, so the same as Tadej.

Or by the end of this Summer, he will have 4 Tours, 1 Giro and 1 Vuelta. It is more likely than your scenario IMHO (but I can understand your point).

 

[Peyroteo94]

I don't agree to be honest. I think Visma is a better team but doesn't have the strongest rider. Can't even imagine what Pogacar would do with a domestique like WVA.

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Just a few more days before the Tour de France kicks off. Top favorite Pogacar will be aiming to add his fourth overall victory, while Jonas Vingegaard and Visma | Lease a Bike will be eager to stop h...

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