Teams & Riders Tadej Pogačar discussion thread

[vappaxbipmv]

On most courses he would get destroyed. It’s not only about being able to push 50W more. MVDP and WVA do different trainings to be competitive. Not just technical training, but being able to give it all in 1 hour. Not like a bike race of 5 hours

Maybe you ignored or missed the part where I said "with some training and on a not very technical course". Btw, what do you consider destroyed?

 

[Oldman]

Who for example?

half of them would be the Belgians that follow WvA around. I don't know enough about specific 'crosser since broadcasts here are few. Their are plenty that stay close enough to the top guys to fill out the roster of a 2nd tier WC team if they were compensated to ride the road. Most crossers and MTB riders I've met are far tougher than road racers. Given proper training I have no doubt many would surprise the purists here.

 

[Oldman]

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).

I didn't mean to suggest they'd impact the dominance of the top guys. That skill level, like good MTB and cyclocross riders; takes time to cultivate. The financial path in top road racing is very thin for those that don't show immediate promise or go the route of Zwift phenom promotions.

 

[red_flanders]

half of them would be the Belgians that follow WvA around. I don't know enough about specific 'crosser since broadcasts here are few. Their are plenty that stay close enough to the top guys to fill out the roster of a 2nd tier WC team if they were compensated to ride the road. Most crossers and MTB riders I've met are far tougher than road racers. Given proper training I have no doubt many would surprise the purists here.

I don't think calling folks who don't think the level of the XC riders right now isn't on par with the Road Peloton "purists" is fair. I'm a mountain biker, so could hardly be called a "purist" with regard to the road.

Clearly there have been XC riders who have come good on the road, legends even. Now and in past decades. However, for me the general feeling is that all the guys who can, have moved at this point. When MVdP, WVA, and TP aren't at a race, it seems to me that the level is just not close. I can't prove it. I'm surprised anyone debates it though, it seems pretty obvious to me. The idea that any of those guys could compete with a guy who does whatever he wants in the pro peloton, and is regarded as the GOAT or close...well I just can't see it. But we're all entitled to our POV of course.

 

[BubbaChuck]

pog watts are crazy now.dont get me wrong,his bike handling would get him in trouble,but watts are getting nuts.but lets wait for san remo for starters.

 

[Peyroteo94]

half of them would be the Belgians that follow WvA around. I don't know enough about specific 'crosser since broadcasts here are few. Their are plenty that stay close enough to the top guys to fill out the roster of a 2nd tier WC team if they were compensated to ride the road. Most crossers and MTB riders I've met are far tougher than road racers. Given proper training I have no doubt many would surprise the purists here.

They can be tougher but they aren't as gifted (aerobic capacity) as top level road race riders.

 

[Cycling111]

Perhaps it's purist to think that everyone who does cyclocross is a god.
It's something you notice in some cycling circles. Cyclocross riders are untouchable in many ways: from criticism or accusations of "clinic" accusations that other cyclists suffer.
If there's purism, I'd say it's actually the other way around. The cyclocross fan is the purist and the one who puts these riders on a pedestal. It has to be admitted that the standards for criticism aren't the same; they enjoy a special kind of immunity from the fans.

As has been rightly said, everyone who can succeed on the road ends up prioritizing road cycling.
If Vandeputte doesn't win on the road, it's because he can't.

Van Aert is far superior to most of cyclocross riders, and Van Aert is far inferior to Pogacar in the Monuments. But we're being purist by thinking that seven cyclocross riders worse than Van Aert wouldn't win a road world championship.