Teams & Riders Tadej Pogačar discussion thread

[Cycling111]

If Pogacar doesnt want post Tour burnout feelings again he had better limit his spring classics schudule to monuments only (and skip Dauphine). Even then Vuelta would probably be too much ( due to neccessity of peaking for cobbled monuments, which is somewhat different and more challenging due to MVP). IMO its cobbles vs Vuelta choice given that the Tour is a must. Vuelta loses as long as he wants Roubaix

Effectively, if Pogacar never tired, as someone said, he would have already won the Vuelta. But he hasn't returned since 2019 because the Tour usually leaves him exhausted.
And the schedule of spring has a lot to do with it. If Pogacar followed Vingegaard's schedule, he would have done the Tour-Vuelta a long time ago.

 

[Fos]

Why would it be a mistake? He’s never tired, he can race all season long

Part of never get tired is a strong and proper off-seasson

 

[Peyroteo94]

It's clear Pogacar will not race the Vuelta while he is targetting PR however a softer schedule will give him more freshness before the TdF.
IMO he should skip UAE Tour, AGR and FW in the spring season.

 

[Lorzenz08]

It's clear Pogacar will not race the Vuelta while he is targetting PR however a softer schedule will give him more freshness before the TdF.
IMO he should skip UAE Tour, AGR and FW in the spring season.

Yea even Strande Bianche maybe he can skip it as well, he already won it 3x, he has nothing to prove there anymore, it is not a monument and it is usually just before MSR. He could use the time to train even better for MSR

 

[Oldman]

Most exciting races to see Pogi in are
1. MSR
2. P-R
3. RVV

that he is also a favorite in TdF in spite of the above is just insane and not something I'd thought I'd see ever. You dream of a Merckx type of racing, yet here we are living it.

Love those races, too except MSR can be so painful to watch. 2 times recently great descenders showed technique could triumph over greater talent after loooooong, boring miles. It's also tough on fans that decide it's a good event for drinking games.
IMO, his finish in PR is going to be tough to duplicate. Much more attention carries more risk.

 

[scribers]

Unless you mean altitude, live racing is seen as the best training possible.

 

[Oldman]

Effectively, if Pogacar never tired, as someone said, he would have already won the Vuelta. But he hasn't returned since 2019 because the Tour usually leaves him exhausted.
And the schedule of spring has a lot to do with it. If Pogacar followed Vingegaard's schedule, he would have done the Tour-Vuelta a long time ago.

His success probably has multiplied the media pressure in ways he'd like to avoid. Is that likely to improve enough to reduce that fatigue factor? It's a real draw on strength and recovery.

 

[Oldman]

Unless you mean altitude, live racing is seen as the best training possible.

....but the quiet, wheel sucking drinkers usually triumph. Or they're the only ones standing in which case it does resemble the race itself.

 

[Peyroteo94]

Yea even Strande Bianche maybe he can skip it as well, he already won it 3x, he has nothing to prove there anymore, it is not a monument and it is usually just before MSR. He could use the time to train even better for MSR

SB is just an isolated one day race. Not like Ardennes where he doesn't return home between races. And Siena is much closer to Monaco than Paris (same country) for example.

MVP said one time he uses TA as a prep race for MSR (getting race sharpness), maybe Pogacar will do the same and race:
SB
TA
MSR
RVV
...

 

[vappaxbipmv]

Love those races, too except MSR can be so painful to watch. 2 times recently great descenders showed technique could triumph over greater talent after loooooong, boring miles. It's also tough on fans that decide it's a good event for drinking games.
IMO, his finish in PR is going to be tough to duplicate. Much more attention carries more risk.

Remember, this year was his 1st participation AND he rode a V4Rs, that's at least 10 extra watts, which, provided no bad luck, should land him at least a velodrome sprint

 

[Salvarani]

If he is doing TDU... I dont think he will be doing UAE.

Then if he will repeat pretty much his schedule from this year...

The only race he could/should probably skip may be AGR. However, I definitely think he should keep Fleche just to get a race inbetween PR and LBL. Which I think is a good strategy and preparation.

I also dont think doing TDU really alters too much. It is very possible he may still do another race before SB or just train I guess.

 

[Unchained]

Remember, this year was his 1st participation AND he rode a V4Rs, that's at least 10 extra watts, which, provided no bad luck, should land him at least a velodrome sprint

You would just guess that you want a more compliant bike on rough roads.. I didn't pay attention to see if riders used aero hybrid bikes, Aero seatposts are normally more harsh and the seat stays on Colnago aero bikes look pretty stiff.. And the cockpit I don't have any idea if it's forgiving or not..I personally spend lots of time with my hands on the tops so I don't think I like the severe angles of Colnago handlebars on Y1RS..it obviously works for lots of guys, Pogacar, Del Toro, Well and Yates all won on them.

 

[Unchained]

If he is doing TDU... I dont think he will be doing UAE.

Then if he will repeat pretty much his schedule from this year...

The only race he could/should probably skip may be AGR. However, I definitely think he should keep Fleche just to get a race inbetween PR and LBL. Which I think is a good strategy and preparation.

I also dont think doing TDU really alters too much. It is very possible he may still do another race before SB or just train I guess.

Both races get maximum exposure, I don't see how he can't do UAE tour he is the biggest draw ..TDU would surely get a big boost from Del Toro or Pogacar showing up.

 

[Miss Violet Smith]

Tadej route recs! It is the off season after all.

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[vappaxbipmv]

You would just guess that you want a more compliant bike on rough roads.. I didn't pay attention to see if riders used aero hybrid bikes, Aero seatposts are normally more harsh and the seat stays on Colnago aero bikes look pretty stiff.. And the cockpit I don't have any idea if it's forgiving or not..I personally spend lots of time with my hands on the tops so I don't think I like the severe angles of Colnago handlebars on Y1RS..it obviously works for lots of guys, Pogacar, Del Toro, Well and Yates all won on them.

But it's so weird, V5 (I'm assuming this time it's V5) is a climbing bike, Roubaix is anything but climbing and Y1 is an aero bike and they use it for basically everything, no matter how steep

 

[Unchained]

But it's so weird, V5 (I'm assuming this time it's V5) is a climbing bike, Roubaix is anything but climbing and Y1 is an aero bike and they use it for basically everything, no matter how steep

I have not ridden any of the bikes I had a chance to ride a Y1RS but it was a large and has a @57 top tube and owner has long legs lanky torso and long arms, 130 stem length I need a @53 top tube and don't have long legs,arms or torso..So I said no..probably wouldn't be able to tell anything from up and down the street . I also notice that most are riding @50+ wheels which are normally fairly stiff.. I don't see what use all that would have on lets say wet cobbles on sloppy conditions. I am thinking that @28s or 30s with low psi is why guys would try it on rough roads..I don't remember which bike Tadej rode in Strada Bianche, but despite it being unpaved it is not that rough. I am not a fan of, aero bikes or deep section rims, but I also don't ride for work. Also lots of bikes are starting to feature big front fork profile cross sections, Cervelo, Ridley, Scott and Colnago have the blended headtube fork design and I don't know if that is, stiffer also.. It looks like it but no way to know without riding it.. @38-40 is my sweet spot for rim depth and 130 stem also adds a little forgiveness and lots of 27.2 seatpost softens things up.
I used Deda 35 for a few years and loved it but I was in a minority and fat handlebars never caught on...I found it comfortable and used Fizik bar tape with @50+ wrap and it's pretty cushy. I am just guessing that these guys are getting away with this from sidewall compliance and low psi ..

 

[Cookster15]

Those narrow bars Pogacar uses with little room for hands to rest looks super uncomfortable -example linked below.

Google-Ergebnis für https://www.uaeteamemirates.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Tadej-Pogacar-Mont-Ventoux-Tour-de-France-2025.jpg

Aero is everything these days, that's what the science says.

 

[Peyroteo94]

Why they are talking about Pogacar not going to the Tour next year? Don't tell me Bruyneel is saying this because of Remco's father...

View: https://youtu.be/5_WNC9nk_ug?si=1O3o0fmyZcN5OGBT

 

[Cycling111]

Why they are talking about Pogacar not going to the Tour next year? Don't tell me Bruyneel is saying this because of Remco's father...

View: https://youtu.be/5_WNC9nk_ug?si=1O3o0fmyZcN5OGBT

I already said it, these months without cycling are going to feel very long with all the false rumors.

Beppe Conti spreading TDU rumor. He's been getting a lot of information wrong lately.

And I don't believe what Remco's father said either. It's the year of the fifth Tour de France; he's not going to put anything else before a fifth Tour.
Pogacar may have finished the Tour exhausted, but he said that before Rwanda; his goals were TDF and World Championship. And they will be again the year of his fifth.


What I'm also seeing is that many Twitter and YouTube accounts are talking a lot about Del Toro. The Mexican market is large and attracts a lot of views
The problem is that they are being led to believe or falsely hopeful that he will be the leader at the 2026 Tour de France., and when they realize he won't be, they'll leave negative comments

 

[Oldman]

Remember, this year was his 1st participation AND he rode a V4Rs, that's at least 10 extra watts, which, provided no bad luck, should land him at least a velodrome sprint

His only bad luck last year was riding off the road and taking enough time to get back on that MvP toyed with him to the finish.
Seriously, the risks of minor nicks and flats are enough to rule anyone out; regardless of strength. Getting clear of sketchy fields and less favorable conditions are the odds on risks.

 

[Shortcut]

Why they are talking about Pogacar not going to the Tour next year? Don't tell me Bruyneel is saying this because of Remco's father...

View: https://youtu.be/5_WNC9nk_ug?si=1O3o0fmyZcN5OGBT

I just want them to talk about anything because otherwise is sooo boring in offseason. Like this thread, it lives because of you and i am so grateful for your takes even if i don't agree with them but you are always making conversation going. They need some big event in offseason- i think something like all riders-schedules should come out together on 1. Dezember at 18.00.

 

[James M]

What I'm also seeing is that many Twitter and YouTube accounts are talking a lot about Del Toro. The Mexican market is large and attracts a lot of views
The problem is that they are being led to believe or falsely hopeful that he will be the leader at the 2026 Tour de France., and when they realize he won't be, they'll leave negative comments

C’mon man, no one truly believes that, least of all Del Toro and Poggo themselves who are hard chilling. So the better question is: why do you care if you do by a handful Mexican comments?

If we start taking every single comment on X seriously, life becomes pretty hard. Its obviously a nothingburger, if it ever was one.

 

[Peyroteo94]

I just want them to talk about anything because otherwise is sooo boring in offseason. Like this thread, it lives because of you and i am so grateful for your takes even if i don't agree with them but you are always making conversation going. They need some big event in offseason- i think something like all riders-schedules should come out together on 1. Dezember at 18.00.

He normally releases his schedule in middle December.
Most of my takes aren't controversial at all btw.

 

[James M]

Some Mexican fans do. In fact, reading some comments before the World Championships, some were convinced he's the best cyclist in the world because of his number of victories. There are many new fans who can't tell the difference between a Milan-San Remo and a Coppa Bernocchi.

Im sure theres a handful who believe or wanne believe that just like theres a handful who think Remcos winning the Tour every year on X too and so on. But thats kind of the point: a handful fringe opinions exist everywhere.

99% know this aint reality the least Poggo and Torito themselves who hard chill, guess I just dont see the issue.
It sounds like youre treating it as a serious problem unless its just something you find annoying, which is different if so.

 

[Cycling111]

Im sure theres a handful who believe or wanne believe that just like theres a handful who think Remcos winning the Tour every year on X too and so on. But thats kind of the point: a handful fringe opinions exist everywhere.

99% know this aint reality the least Poggo and Torito themselves who hard chill, guess I just dont see the issue.
It sounds like youre treating it as a serious problem unless its just something you find annoying, which is different if so.

Mexican sports journalism is very intrusive. If Del Toro goes to the Tour, they're going to put a lot of pressure there.

I was just saying that I don't think it's the best scenario for Pogacar, who tends to get very upset about everything that surrounds the Tour.

That's all I was saying. Whether Del Toro will let himself be influenced is another matter, but it wouldn't be so strange for someone young and ambitious, and we'll see if there's any conflict between him and Almeida about who should be the last domestique and sacrifice their position, like what happened on the Galibier Almeida and Ayuso. I think this scenario is being undervalued. Will Del Toro accept being behind Almeida in the hierarchy? At Jumbo, the relationships between Roglic, Vingegaard, and Kuss were good until they had to sacrifice their ambitions.

But more than anything, I was saying it because of that external pressure, seeing as Pogacar is already overwhelmed by all the circus surrounding the Tour. I was simply saying that it's one more reason for him to feel overwhelmed.