Teams & Riders Tadej Pogačar discussion thread

[hayneplane]

What he said after the Tour could have been some kind of a game, a hidden threat to the sponsors: release me from the Tour duty or there will be an earlier retirement.

Maybe not quite as specific as that but certainly a bit of a power play to wrestle near full control over his schedule eg riding whatever he wants in the cobbled classics.

 

[Extinction]

Pogacar would definitely like to skip the Tour for a change. He doesn't like it indeed: the pressure is huge, it's physically draining and one has to be careful for 3 weeks. However, my point is that the sheikhs won't allow him to. He can do almost whatever he wants (even ride Roubaix against the will of Gianetti and co) but the Tour looks to be a must every year.

Pog doesn't like the Tour? Reverse psychology kills the competition. Imagine if he liked it.

 

[Extinction]

What he said after the Tour could have been some kind of a game, a hidden threat to the sponsors: release me from the Tour duty or there will be an earlier retirement.

The run is up?

 

[Berniece]

What he said after the Tour could have been some kind of a game, a hidden threat to the sponsors: release me from the Tour duty or there will be an earlier retirement.

I don’t think it was a game and just the truth. He was tired. He too needs some rest mentally which is completely normal.

 

[fenns]

This year he clearly didn't enjoy the Tour after the crash - probably in discomfort for a long time and riding 200k a day is not conducive to healing.

But the Tour is so far above other races in prestige one can't see him skipping it before he has 6 .

 

[ingsve]

Pogacar would definitely like to skip the Tour for a change. He doesn't like it indeed: the pressure is huge, it's physically draining and one has to be careful for 3 weeks. However, my point is that the sheikhs won't allow him to. He can do almost whatever he wants (even ride Roubaix against the will of Gianetti and co) but the Tour looks to be a must every year.

Would the sheikhs be more open to it perhaps if they had someone else that was as much of a sure thing to win the Tour. Or at least someone they believed in enough. Perhaps Del Toro eventually.

 

[Cycling111]

These months until the start of the new season are going to be so long. Pogacar will definitely go to the 2026 Tour, but we'll read a thousand rumors that he won't, even though he said in Lequipe interview after the Tour that he will go next year.

 

[Berniece]

even though he said in Lequipe interview after the Tour that he will go next year.

And schedules and opinions can never change

 

[Peyroteo94]

This year he clearly didn't enjoy the Tour after the crash - probably in discomfort for a long time and riding 200k a day is not conducive to healing.

But the Tour is so far above other races in prestige one can't see him skipping it before he has 6 .

I can't see him skipping the TdF in 2026-2028.
The Vuelta for a 2nd year in a row is clearly calling him to race it

 

[Krzysztof_O]

I can't see him skipping the TdF in 2026-2028.
The Vuelta for a 2nd year in a row is clearly calling him to race it

Vuelta DS must be quite frustrated knowing that it's the only big race Pogacar is constantly skipping. And he'll probably have to wait 2-3 more years. Pogi did it once but it was before he became a big star.

 

[Peyroteo94]

Vuelta DS must be quite frustrated knowing that it's the only big race Pogacar is constantly skipping. And he'll probably have to wait 2-3 more years. Pogi did it once but it was before he became a big star.

He doesn't hide his dream.

“We couldn’t make it any closer to home” – Vuelta a Espana director urges Tadej Pogacar to finally target 2026 edition

The Grand Depart of the 2026 Vuelta a Espana was officially presented in Monaco on Thursday — and race director Javier Guillen used the opportunity to send a very public invitation to Tadej Pogacar, w...

cyclinguptodate.com

 

[Krzysztof_O]

He doesn't hide his dream.

“We couldn’t make it any closer to home” – Vuelta a Espana director urges Tadej Pogacar to finally target 2026 edition

The Grand Depart of the 2026 Vuelta a Espana was officially presented in Monaco on Thursday — and race director Javier Guillen used the opportunity to send a very public invitation to Tadej Pogacar, w...

cyclinguptodate.com

He should hope Pogacar wins Roubaix. Then Vuelta will become his target (and he will skip cobbles more often than not).

 

[Peyroteo94]

He should hope Pogacar wins Roubaix. Then Vuelta will become his target (and he will skip cobbles more often than not).

He needs some luck in PR and rain.

 

[Krzysztof_O]

He needs some luck in PR and rain.

MVP is the best there but nothing is constant. Form changes plus luck also plays its role in PR.

 

[Cycling111]

He needs some luck in PR and rain.

Rain in Roubaix? No. It benefits heavy cyclists, especially in muddy areas.

 

[scribers]

Pogi needs luck and rain in PR? He was the second strongest in the race by far. And possibly the strongest. He doesn’t need anymore luck than anyone else.

 

[Peyroteo94]

Pogi needs luck and rain in PR? He was the second strongest in the race by far. And possibly the strongest. He doesn’t need anymore luck than anyone else.

I don't think he can drop MVP. I'm not sure Pedersen would have been dropped.

 

[Peyroteo94]

Rain in Roubaix? No. It benefits heavy cyclists, especially in muddy areas.

No, it doesn't. It benefits attritional and skilled riders more.