Teams & Riders Tadej Pogačar discussion thread

[Peyroteo94]

I already predicted Ciccone's situation, it was easy. He has a total of zero top-10 finishes in GT , which is terrifying data.
The same results as Kuss before winning in 2023, and Kuss's performance is completely exceptional.
Ciccone finishing third in this Vuelta would already be a huge step forward considering his dismal GT results.

Ciccone is not a reliable GT rider and I think he threw away another chance of getting a podium in GdL and WCRR

 

[Cycling111]

Ciccone is not a reliable GT rider and I think he threw away another chance of getting a podium in GdL and WCRR

I still doubt he'll be third in the Vuelta. He seems like the third strongest, but he's terrible in the time trial. Although the rest are also poor, except for Jorgenson. If Jorgenson is at an acceptable level in the mountains, I'd say he's third right now because of the time trial.
Ciccone isn't reliable, and the rest aren't up to par.
Pidcock won't hold up in Angliru, Bernal isn't reliable on the third week, and Hindley is a cyclist who had two excellent years and no more.

 

[Peyroteo94]

I still doubt he'll be third in the Vuelta. He seems like the third strongest, but he's terrible in the time trial. Although the rest are also poor, except for Jorgenson. If Jorgenson is at an acceptable level in the mountains, I'd say he's third right now because of the time trial.
Ciccone isn't reliable, and the rest aren't up to par.
Pidcock won't hold up in Angliru, Bernal isn't reliable on the third week, and Hindley is a cyclist who had two excellent years and no more.

A flat 27 km TT is not too long. A 30 minutes effort (32 to bad TT riders).

 

[Peyroteo94]

So Roglic will not race the WCTT. This means Pogacar will ride it for sure. The double is on the menu!!

 

[Cycling111]

So Roglic will not race the WCTT. This means Pogacar will ride it for sure. The double is on the menu!!

Slovenia has two places this year. Both could go.

The significant thing about this is that I think it's because Roglic won't be going to Rwanda.

 

[Krzysztof_O]

What's your point? You said Pogacar will win the Vuelta with one leg against Jonas, correct? I disagree with that and gave you multiple reasons.

Pogacar was likely too tired to race another GT (not that surprising: he had an all-out classics campaign while Vingo spent almost the whole spring in his chamber). That being said, unipuerto stages having high numbers is nothing new. I remember very impressive numbers by Valverde in Vuelta 2019 or by Remco/Roglic in Catalunya.

 

[Peyroteo94]

What's your point? You said Pogacar will win the Vuelta with one leg against Jonas, correct? I disagree with that and gave you multiple reasons.

A similar win to the win he had in the Tour. So with one leg (not literally of course).

 

[Peyroteo94]

Slovenia has two places this year. Both could go.

The significant thing about this is that I think it's because Roglic won't be going to Rwanda.

It seems Roglic is not going to race the TT.

 

[Monsi]

Slovenia has two places this year. Both could go.

The significant thing about this is that I think it's because Roglic won't be going to Rwanda.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1962505578745299326

View: https://x.com/ammattipyoraily/status/1962505578745299326?s=61&t=ZKEjWhZs_lhx6xYjfM44ig


He’s gonna be there. But if it is his first race back after the Tour, then Roglic will mostly likely be a domestique for Pogi. I doubt he will be in peak shape already and he’ll be building form for Lombardia.

 

[James M]

Slovenia has two places this year. Both could go.

The significant thing about this is that I think it's because Roglic won't be going to Rwanda.

Have you changed your mind, do you believe Pogi will race the TT now?

 

[Cycling111]

A similar win to the win he had in the Tour. So with one leg (not literally of course).

Exactly. He won the Tour at Hautacam, and he would have won the Vuelta at Angliru. Meanwhile, he´d have won every hill sprint. And ITT, is completely flat.

I am increasingly convinced that he would have won the Vuelta more easily than the Tour.

What's your point? You said Pogacar will win the Vuelta with one leg against Jonas, correct? I disagree with that and gave you multiple reasons.

Pogacar beat him when he wanted the Dauphine and the Tour.

He would have done it, as I mentioned earlier. And he would have also beaten him in the time trial, which is completely flat.
It would have been easier for Pogacar to beat Vingegaard in this Vuelta than in the Tour or the Dauphiné. There isn't a single stage where Vingegaard is superior. He would have even beaten him in 2023 on this route of the Vuelta. Everyone says that the Vuelta designed this route because they wanted Pogacar....

 

[Peyroteo94]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1962505578745299326

View: https://x.com/ammattipyoraily/status/1962505578745299326?s=61&t=ZKEjWhZs_lhx6xYjfM44ig


He’s gonna be there. But if it is his first race back after the Tour, then Roglic will mostly likely be a domestique for Pogi. I doubt he will be in peak shape already and he’ll be building form for Lombardia.

Roglic is not going to Rwanda just to help Pogacar. Why going to Africa if you are just preparing GdL?

 

[Shortcut]

a

Roglic is not going to Rwanda just to help Pogacar. Why going to Africa if you are just preparing GdL?

That is 100% true. Roglic said himself that his biggest goal in rest of the season is WC RR. I really doubt his biggest goal would be "being domestique for Pogacar". Also who really his biggest opponents on this route? Remco, Healy, Del Toro, Ayuso, Roglic, Ciconne? Did I forget someone?

 

[Cycling111]

a

That is 100% true. Roglic said himself that his biggest goal in rest of the season is WC RR. I really doubt his biggest goal would be "being domestique for Pogacar". Also who really his biggest opponents on this route? Remco, Healy, Del Toro, Ayuso, Roglic, Ciconne? Did I forget someone?

The main rival is Pogacar.

And the long mileage. It´s hard to see Roglic as the favorite in such a long race.

 

[Peyroteo94]

Ayuso is gone. Wonderful news! No more rats in UAE.

 

[Peyroteo94]

a

That is 100% true. Roglic said himself that his biggest goal in rest of the season is WC RR. I really doubt his biggest goal would be "being domestique for Pogacar". Also who really his biggest opponents on this route? Remco, Healy, Del Toro, Ayuso, Roglic, Ciconne? Did I forget someone?

Del Toro and Evenepoel IMO.

 

[pelotonIQ]

Congratulations to UAE for removing Ayuso from the team, next up Matxin.

 

[Peyroteo94]

Congratulations to UAE for removing Ayuso from the team, next up Matxin.

Matxin is a good guy. Too much sometimes...

 

[James M]

Del Toro and Evenepoel IMO.

Remco been straight up garbage uphill all year, every race, I have very limited expectations to him in the WC.

As usual, Pogacar is his own biggest enemy now imo. His hardest task will be controlling the race with a very limited team. But if he's anywhere close to his usual level, he'll eat them all alive and take the race to them nullifying any tactics, scenarios, or shenanigans that will otherwice all work against him.

 

[Peyroteo94]

Remco been straight up garbage uphill all year, every race, I have very limited expectations to him in the WC.

As usual, Pogacar is his own biggest enemy now imo. His hardest task will be controlling the race with a very limited team. But if he's anywhere close to his usual level, he'll eat them all alive and take the race to them nullifying any tactics, scenarios, or shenanigans that will otherwice all work against him.

James, just because I told some names, it doesn't mean they are close to Pogacar. This is the like FW. I told Nys could be his biggest challenger and you almost ate me alive. No, I didn't expect Nys to beat Pogacar, I just expected him to be Pogacar's closest rival.
In these Worlds, I think the same. If I have to choose some riders, it's Del Toro and RE.

 

[James M]

James, just because I told some names, it doesn't mean they are close to Pogacar. This is the like FW. I told Nys could be his biggest challenger and you almost ate me alive. No, I didn't expect Nys to beat Pogacar, I just expected him to be Pogacar's closest rival.
In these Worlds, I think the same. If I have to choose some riders, it's Del Toro and RE.

Sure, except he wasnt. Relax, hombre we agree. I disagree regarding Remco hes shown me nothing all year in any race with serious climbing thats all, I might be wrong. Del Toro, sure, and Ciccone has definitely been impressive in all the altitude-heavy one-day races. But I think you alluded to the Vuelta ruining his chances, which I also agree is a likely possibility.

 

[hayneplane]

Remco been straight up garbage uphill all year, every race, I have very limited expectations to him in the WC.

As usual, Pogacar is his own biggest enemy now imo. His hardest task will be controlling the race with a very limited team. But if he's anywhere close to his usual level, he'll eat them all alive and take the race to them nullifying any tactics, scenarios, or shenanigans that will otherwice all work against him.

Arguably the biggest risk factor for him not winning isn’t even team strength or any opposition but getting the fuelling wrong and missing bottles and gels at crucial times.

 

[James M]

Arguably the biggest risk factor for him not winning isn’t even team strength or any opposition but getting the fuelling wrong and missing bottles and gels at crucial times.

Yeah, that’s my point hes his own biggest enemy most days now, just like you mentioned. Overestimating himself, getting overly excited, and mismanaging fueling has happened before, if his numbers are at his usual top lvl.

Peyroteo was referring more to who Pogacars closest rivals in the race will be, which I didn’t say or mean he wasnt, btw. I just personally disagree regarding Remco and wouldn’t be surprised if he doesnt finish in the top five personally but not very surprised if he does either. Just have very slim expectations to him.

 

[Peyroteo94]

Yeah, that’s my point hes his own biggest enemy most days now, just like you mentioned. Overestimating himself, getting overly excited, and mismanaging fueling has happened before, if his numbers are at his usual top lvl.

Peyroteo was referring more to who Pogacars closest rivals in the race will be, which I didn’t say or mean he wasnt, btw. I just personally disagree regarding Remco and wouldn’t be surprised if he doesnt finish in the top five personally but not very surprised if he does either. Just have very slim expectations to him.

You are underestimating Remco. It's not like they will climb the Tourmalet 10 times. Remco is clearly the second favorite in my book.

 

[James M]

You are underestimating Remco. It's not like they will climb the Tourmalet 10 times. Remco is clearly the second favorite in my book.

You might be right about Remco, Im defintely not sure I am. Im basing my opinion heavily on what Ive seen from him uphill this season. Normally, I’d easily agree with you and put him as the clear number two, lets see how it plays out, It wouldnt be a shocker if hes nr 2 lets put it like that.