I think if we look at the bigger picture some of us might relent on our critics of pogs display on the tt.
First, i think we have to consider that he is coming of a very difficult season with him being in shape starting from February which was magnified even by himself at the tour that he was on a mental burnout. Second, comparing his 2024 season to this season and affirming he was better last season is harsh. We have to consider 2024 was a much linear season in terms of prep & racing. It was all focused on stage races & grand tours which makes the training more smooth & easier for the body to adapt while this year it was different type of prep/gym work/ climb efforts for different types of races which takes its toll on the body at some point. Its like asking vdp to be that good on classics and to expect him to climb among the best on the mountains. Imo he has lost his motivation for the sport due to this year being a tiring one and we could see that when he ignored altitude training for this race despite knowing both TT & RR are raced on altitude in Rwanda. I think he needed a long time off the bike perhaps to completely stop after the tour & comeback next year. My conclusion from todays TT is that he looks like he doesn't have the watts in the legs & whats even more concerning was his way of climbing on all the climbs including the cobbled one in the final & i can't take positives out of it b/c even on his poor dauphine TT he was the fastest on the climb but lost the times on the flats. BUT its still POG u never know what he could do in a week time.
First, i think we have to consider that he is coming of a very difficult season with him being in shape starting from February which was magnified even by himself at the tour that he was on a mental burnout. Second, comparing his 2024 season to this season and affirming he was better last season is harsh. We have to consider 2024 was a much linear season in terms of prep & racing. It was all focused on stage races & grand tours which makes the training more smooth & easier for the body to adapt while this year it was different type of prep/gym work/ climb efforts for different types of races which takes its toll on the body at some point. Its like asking vdp to be that good on classics and to expect him to climb among the best on the mountains. Imo he has lost his motivation for the sport due to this year being a tiring one and we could see that when he ignored altitude training for this race despite knowing both TT & RR are raced on altitude in Rwanda. I think he needed a long time off the bike perhaps to completely stop after the tour & comeback next year. My conclusion from todays TT is that he looks like he doesn't have the watts in the legs & whats even more concerning was his way of climbing on all the climbs including the cobbled one in the final & i can't take positives out of it b/c even on his poor dauphine TT he was the fastest on the climb but lost the times on the flats. BUT its still POG u never know what he could do in a week time.