Teams & Riders Tadej Pogačar discussion thread

[Peyroteo94]

“Tadej Pogacar is the strongest rider in cycling history” — Nairo Quintana admits even at his peak he’d be two steps below Slovenian superstar

Tadej Pogacar’s peers are running out of superlatives. And now, three Grand Tour champions — Nairo Quintana, Egan Bernal and Vincenzo Nibali — have united in their belief that the Slovenian will conti...

cyclinguptodate.com

 

[Lequack]

Back in 2014 and 2015, racing for his local club and doing some MTB races as well

 

[Krzysztof_O]

It seems hard to believe he was that bad since he survived the stage to Col de la Loze and Plagne (after stage 17). But he was a level below his former self and this is even more scary for his rivals.

Maybe this explains his "washed-up" comments after the Tour. He was fatigued physically and mentally (the pressure to keep the yellow jersey while feeling bad).

 

[Peyroteo94]

Maybe this explains his "washed-up" comments after the Tour. He was fatigued physically and mentally (the pressure to keep the yellow jersey while feeling bad).

Finally his comments about retirement make sense. He was probably suffering a lot physically and mentally during the last week. However I still maintain my opinion that he wasn't that injured.
Vingegaard is a monster on climbs and I have a hard time to believe a really injured Pogacar could follow Vingegaard. Pogacar is the best climber ever but he is human.

 

[scribers]

So you don’t believe Wellens statements about the seriousness of the injury?

 

[Krzysztof_O]

Finally his comments about retirement make sense. He was probably suffering a lot physically and mentally during the last week. However I still maintain my opinion that he wasn't that injured.
Vingegaard is a monster on climbs and I have a hard time to believe a really injured Pogacar could follow Vingegaard. Pogacar is the best climber ever but he is human.

Vingegaard himself also had a poor day on La Plagne stage. He was better the day before on Madeleine so yeah Pog was good enough to follow so it didnt affect him that badly.

 

[tigabara]

Wellens speaks as if it was quite serious. No wonder Pog's level was lower in the last week: all things considered it was still quite impressive as Vingo never managed to drop him even by a single second. Despite the crash and knee problem he still won the Tour by 4.5 minutes, wow.

Pogacar didn't appear to have a knee injury or any other leg injury. But there certainly appeared to be some very painful bruising and contusions. And for the average person, who isn't an athlete, that would be enough reason to stop strenuous activity.

 

[Peyroteo94]

So you don’t believe Wellens statements about the seriousness of the injury?

I believe Pogacar was injured but I think Wellens is exaggerating a bit. I just can't believe a rider can be so good while being so injured.

 

[Krzysztof_O]

Pogacar didn't appear to have a knee injury or any other leg injury. But there certainly appeared to be some very painful bruising and contusions. And for the average person, who isn't an athlete, that would be enough reason to stop strenuous activity.

Likely not a proper injury but maybe some kind of post-crash side effects like inflammation.

 

[Cycling111]

Back in 2014 and 2015, racing for his local club and doing some MTB races as well

2018. I think that was the last time he competed. After that, he went to UAE and has only done road cycling.

 

[Peyroteo94]

I would love to see him doing cyclocross. One year ago, I was almost eaten alive for saying Pogacar would be a top rider in cyclocross (never said at MVP's level but a top rider).

 

[vappaxbipmv]

2018. I think that was the last time he competed. After that, he went to UAE and has only done road cycling.

That's not entirely true, in 2021 he became a national champion in cyclocross and a year later he was 2nd. As for the serious competitions, yeah, you're right about road only