Teams & Riders Tadej Pogačar discussion thread

[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

 

[Cycling111]

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

Yes, maybe the national championship. But before 2018, he competed in several disciplines and more than one race. Although always at an amateur level in Slovenia.

Unlike @Peyroteo94 , I don't think he should get into cyclocross at this point. He doesn't do it foryears, and unlike other road cyclists who do, he has to compete in stage races. None of the current cyclocross riders compete to win in a Grand Tour or even the overall classification of a one-week stage race.

But it's clear he enjoys other disciplines. He often rides gravel with Mathews.

 

[Peyroteo94]

Yes, maybe the national championship. But before 2018, he competed in several disciplines and more than one race. Although always at an amateur level in Slovenia.

Unlike @Peyroteo94 , I don't think he should get into cyclocross at this point. He doesn't do it foryears, and unlike other road cyclists who do, he has to compete in stage races. None of the current cyclocross riders compete to win in a Grand Tour or even the overall classification of a one-week stage race.

But it's clear he enjoys other disciplines. He often rides gravel with Mathews.

I just want them to race cyclocross to shut some mouths

 

[Berniece]

I just want them to race cyclocross to shut some mouths

He would get destroyed.

 

[vappaxbipmv]

He would get destroyed.

Against MvdP, absolutely. Against the "other cyclocross guys", with some training and on a not very technical course, I'm not so sure he wouldn't be competitive. He probably wouldn't win but he wouldn't get destroyed, I don't believe that. At the very least he can push 50w more than guys of similar weight there, that's a lot

 

[Krzysztof_O]

Against MvdP, absolutely. Against the "other cyclocross guys", with some training and on a not very technical course, I'm not so sure he wouldn't be competitive. He probably wouldn't win but he wouldn't get destroyed, I don't believe that. At the very least he can push 50w more than guys of similar weight there, that's a lot

Yes, Guys like MVP, WVA are way too good. As for the rest technique shortcomings should be compensated by a monster engine.

 

[Peyroteo94]

Yes, Guys like MVP, WVA are way too good. As for the rest technique shortcomings should be compensated by a monster engine.

I heard the same thing about PR. I would like to see it.

 

[Peyroteo94]

UAE will help Cosnefroy to reborn.
They are weaker in the mountains since Majka and Ayuso left and no one replaced them but in classics, UAE will be scary.
Cosnefroy
Narvaez
McNulty
these 3 are elite in hilly classics.

https://cyclinguptodate.com/cycling/i-met-tadej-pogacar-benoit-cosnefroy-on-first-test-with-uae-and-his-role-with-surprise-new-team

 

[Oldman]

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

Which could explain a hospital trip. They can't give him anti-inflammatory steroids. Swelling hurts and definitely affects the pedal stroke. I wouldn't be surprised if enough inflammation existed that they'd drain and flush the area. That would be legal and alleviate some of the pressure. Beyond that I don't know what could be accomplished that would help him, legally.

 

[red_flanders]

He would get destroyed.

I don't really get this. Why? He's so much stronger than almost anyone in that discipline, 95% of them aren't even on the same planet. He's a fantastic bike handler. Sure, there are some technical hurdles for him, but is that really enough to make a bunch of (let's be honest) second-rate riders (minus MVDP, WVA, and TP) able to compete with him?

Strikes me I'd not make a lot of money betting against Pogi in any discipline of bike racing. Except downhill and enduro...

 

[Krzysztof_O]

I heard the same thing about PR. I would like to see it.

In terms of technique most of PR sectors are easy-peasy compared to average cyclocross routes: just pushing watts on a straight. See what happened this year: Pog misjudged a cobbled turn. If you give him a few months of proper cyclocross training then it's a different story but it's not happening (maybe after the end of his road career).

Technique aside, most of cyclocross routes probably fit MVP better. A lot of anaerobic intervals and it's generally more about watts than sustained watts per kilo.

 

[Oldman]

UAE will help Cosnefroy to reborn.
They are weaker in the mountains since Majka and Ayuso left and no one replaced them but in classics, UAE will be scary.
Cosnefroy
Narvaez
McNulty
these 3 are elite in hilly classics.

https://cyclinguptodate.com/cycling/i-met-tadej-pogacar-benoit-cosnefroy-on-first-test-with-uae-and-his-role-with-surprise-new-team

Maijka will definitely be missed. He's the best hill pace setter tactically and consistently. So much so he discouraged attacks when he was close to blowing himself up but his lack of "tells" kept the competition in place. Right up to the time the boom got lowered.
Left to do his own thing he was what Yates embodied in his best efforts. Given a gap; he seldom came back. Not sure McNulty has that level of skill. Ayuso could be a threat...most of the time to his own team.

 

[Oldman]

Yes, Guys like MVP, WVA are way too good. As for the rest technique shortcomings should be compensated by a monster engine.

It's a lifelong pursuit by those guys, too. Those bike handling and tactical skills come from many, many reps. Not to mention racing among the top peer group to know capabilities. There are a dozen 'crossers that could win a WC RR if they shifted focus. Not so many GT guys that could get into the top 30 of a WC XC race.
Tadej could want to dabble but he'd be relegated to the 6th row and, maybe; get some intense training. That's the time of year he should be recovering.

 

[Krzysztof_O]

There are a dozen 'crossers that could win a WC RR if they shifted focus. Not so many GT guys that could get into the top 30 of a WC XC race.

Disagree with this point. RR has way deeper talent pool (due to more money). In RR WC they would be demolished by guys like Pogacar, Evenepoel or Van der Poel.
As for lightweight climbers, obviously they are not fitted to CX routes (but even then there's Pidcock).

 

[Peyroteo94]

In terms of technique most of PR sectors are easy-peasy compared to average cyclocross routes: just pushing watts on a straight. See what happened this year: Pog misjudged a cobbled turn. If you give him a few months of proper cyclocross training then it's a different story but it's not happening (maybe after the end of his road career).

Technique aside, most of cyclocross routes probably fit MVP better. A lot of anaerobic intervals and it's generally more about watts than sustained watts per kilo.

I can't see a world where Pogacar isn't better than Nys for example.

 

[hayneplane]

Yes, maybe the national championship. But before 2018, he competed in several disciplines and more than one race. Although always at an amateur level in Slovenia.

Unlike @Peyroteo94 , I don't think he should get into cyclocross at this point. He doesn't do it foryears, and unlike other road cyclists who do, he has to compete in stage races. None of the current cyclocross riders compete to win in a Grand Tour or even the overall classification of a one-week stage race.

But it's clear he enjoys other disciplines. He often rides gravel with Mathews.

It would be no surprise if he went on to do the Gravel events once he steps away from full laser focus on his road goals. He could likely be competitive there even 2 years after his road career has stopped being dominant.

 

[Peyroteo94]

I don't really get this. Why? He's so much stronger than almost anyone in that discipline, 95% of them aren't even on the same planet. He's a fantastic bike handler. Sure, there are some technical hurdles for him, but is that really enough to make a bunch of (let's be honest) second-rate riders (minus MVDP, WVA, and TP) able to compete with him?

Strikes me I'd not make a lot of money betting against Pogi in any discipline of bike racing. Except downhill and enduro...

Because he doesn't like Pogacar. It's obvious to be honest. The same thing was said about PR.

 

[Peyroteo94]

It's a lifelong pursuit by those guys, too. Those bike handling and tactical skills come from many, many reps. Not to mention racing among the top peer group to know capabilities. There are a dozen 'crossers that could win a WC RR if they shifted focus. Not so many GT guys that could get into the top 30 of a WC XC race.
Tadej could want to dabble but he'd be relegated to the 6th row and, maybe; get some intense training. That's the time of year he should be recovering.

Who for example?

 

[Cycling111]

I just want them to race cyclocross to shut some mouths

What does it matter? He doesn't have to shut anyone up.

Then they'd ask him to prove he can win track cycling . Those who always find fault with him will always find something to belittle him with.

That's how people are with stars. I remember when somesaid Messi had to win the World Cup. After the World Cup, they said he hadn't achieved some absurd statistic. And if he achieves that absurd statistic, they'll demand something else.