With Sivakov like this, he'd be more helpful if he got into the breakaway in case Pogacar needed him.I respect the way Visma is riding a lot. It's a lot smarter than it appears on screen and results. Guys up the road for positional dynamics, guys shipping it until tomorrow or the next, and Vingo putting digs in to test pogi.
He doesn't look tired. If you want to see him tired, see WC 2023 in GlasgowLike everyone else, he looks a little tired. Besides, he won't sleep as well as he should because of the position of the arm.
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Sivakov was ill but I think he won't improve much. Today, Pogacar lost the stage due to his weak performanceWith Sivakov like this, he'd be more helpful if he got into the breakaway in case Pogacar needed him.
Soler's pace isn't good either. It could be the other rider in the break.
They can't afford for Pogacar to have a bad day and repeat Finestre situation. Obviously, Pogacar isn't Del Toro, but since there are some domestiques incapable of setting high pace in peloto, it's better put some into the breakaway with Visma riders.
That's why I said little tiredHe doesn't look tired. If you want to see him tired, see WC 2023 in Glasgow
Dont think Sivakov would be helpful for much of anything except to get bottles if he continues to ride as today.With Sivakov like this, he'd be more helpful if he got into the breakaway in case Pogacar needed him.
Soler's pace isn't good either. It could be the other rider in the break.
They can't afford for Pogacar to have a bad day and repeat Finestre situation. Obviously, Pogacar isn't Del Toro, but since there are some domestiques incapable of setting high pace in peloto, it's better put some into the breakaway with Visma riders.
Nope. Looks don't show anything. Pog often looks like s*** honestly (no disrespect).That's why I said little tiredLook at the mark on his eyes.
He was devastated in Glasgow. Did that World Championship after the injury and the Tour de France and finishing third is one of his best performances.
It was completely pointless today as Jonas didn’t even attempt to attack from far enough out when Kuss and Yates were in position to either drop and pace hard or be there for Jonas to attack then get a brief breather on the wheel.I respect the way Visma is riding a lot. It's a lot smarter than it appears on screen and results. Guys up the road for positional dynamics, guys shipping it until tomorrow or the next, and Vingo putting digs in to test pogi.
Tbf, he was almost gifted that 3rd place by Mads Pedersen, though that doesn't diminish his performance.That's why I said little tiredLook at the mark on his eyes.
He was devastated in Glasgow. Did that World Championship after the injury and the Tour de France and finishing third is one of his best performances.
But it was clear already after the Peyresourde that Visma wouldn't win the stage…View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wvgqq5BYwjs&t=2140s
Go to 26:20 and listen to Broe's words. It's rare but this time he gets it. Pog wants no Vismas for the stage win but was fine with Arensman.
Why? What if Thymen collapsed and Simon went up the road?But it was clear already after the Peyresourde that Visma wouldn't win the stage…
it was clear that neither yates nor kuss had any chance, they were dropped super earlyWhy? What if Thymen collapsed and Simon went up the road?
Jokes or not - the blacklist is real.
What if he had been struck by lightning? For me, it was clear after Peyresourde that if anyone wins the stage from the break, it would be Arensman. There was definitely no reason to chase this hard anymore at the bottom of the final climb, unless they still had an eye on possibly winning the stage themselves.Why? What if Thymen collapsed and Simon went up the road?
I came away exactly the opposite, Visma @10 days of constant heat, trying to pressure Pogacar for what looked like no obvious reason.I respect the way Visma is riding a lot. It's a lot smarter than it appears on screen and results. Guys up the road for positional dynamics, guys shipping it until tomorrow or the next, and Vingo putting digs in to test pogi.
Of course if they had closed Arensman enough Pog would go. UAE didn't have the gas to bring the gap to 1 min. But he is not going with 5 kms to go to eat a 2:30 min gap.What if he had been struck by lightning? For me, it was clear after Peyresourde that if anyone wins the stage from the break, it would be Arensman. There was definitely no reason to chase this hard anymore at the bottom of the final climb, unless they still had an eye on possibly winning the stage themselves.
I came away exactly the opposite, Visma @10 days of constant heat, trying to pressure Pogacar for what looked like no obvious reason.
Visma demanding the absolute best, the limit of their riders, epic fail.
And the achievable objectives after mid race setbacks like stage wins still are possible, but today's efforts were complete disaster, Vingegaard still losing time to Pogacar, putting out obvious energy that Pogacar did not.. and in multiple ways,
UAE all hands on deck taking turns burying themselves to keep pace, Pogacar out of wind, out of trouble.
Visma riding again all over the place spent Yates, Kuss for not..Yates giving back 6+ today ,Sepp 8+ no stage, nothing.
And the other rider involved in all the controversy, he dropped completely again today, now 32+ minutes back in GC, and same... was nowhere in today's stage.
Your description of digs is accurate, I describe what I saw was Vigegaard doing unnecessary, fruitless uphill intervals that Pogacar countered, mouth closed, in the saddle, apparently easy effort..and the digs cost Jonas any energy reserves for final sprint.. It looked like there was only the most remote, unlikely scenario for Ving to lose any time to Pogacar, instead a micro gain for yellow jersey. Each day I ask what are Visma doing.. Each day I more puzzled than day before.. The time buffer that Vigegaard has can be conserved if managed intelligently.. I have no confidence that is going to happen.
And I completely agree with you that Jonas is testing Pog..my questions day after day are why? Why so often?
Impressed by post race interviews with Vingegaard, he is mentally very strong..
Mads Pedersen doesn't give anything . And it's not the only time Pogacar has beaten Pedersen in a sprint. He also did it in San Remo 2023.Tbf, he was almost gifted that 3rd place by Mads Pedersen, though that doesn't diminish his performance.
Pogacar lost the stage because Vingegaard didn't close the gap, yellow jersey riding, defending perfectly, to the point of gaining time on everyone.Sivakov was ill but I think he won't improve much. Today, Pogacar lost the stage due to his weak performance
I agree and that's a smart play imo, just don't understand the all day team time trial strategy for first @11 stages before Vingegaard making as you say, proven move..Historically Vingo won big in 1 single stage. So I guess part of the strategy is to try their luck
Along with a collapse by Pogacar.Historically Vingo won big in 1 single stage. So I guess part of the strategy is to try their luck
As I said, it doesn't diminish his performance. But Mads Pedersen made a massive tactical blunder in the final, from which Tadej benefited.Mads Pedersen doesn't give anything . And it's not the only time Pogacar has beaten Pedersen in a sprint. He also did it in San Remo 2023.
Pogacar's World Championship was heroic. VDP was training for the Tour, Van Aert retired early for the birth of his child and had more rest. Pedresen the same.
Pogacar arrived exhausted after his injury and the collapse in Loze.
Remco, who was really strong, judging by his ITT, was unable to fight in the main group.
That World Championship for Pogacar is one of his greatest physical and mental efforts. After the injury and the Tour, not everyone would have gone.
But even if Vingo manages to drop Pogi in week three (and thats a big if) - Granon 2022 would not be nearly enough, Courchevel 2023 already barely (lost 5:45 that day).Historically Vingo won big in 1 single stage. So I guess part of the strategy is to try their luck