Teams & Riders Tadej Pogačar discussion thread

[Berniece]

There is any chance he will give the win to Del Toro? Or will he just ride away after a strong leadout from Del Toro?

I personally think the best chance for UAE would be Pogacar and Del Toro being co-leaders, with them attack separately to fatigue MVDP, but I don't think that's the tactic they will use. Del Toro will be used to launch Pogacar, with the idea that this time it will go faster and longer than last year, and if Pogacar then launches, MVDP would break.

 

[Alexandre B.]

There is any chance he will give the win to Del Toro? Or will he just ride away after a strong leadout from Del Toro?

Which race are we talking about? The Mexican needs to prove he's above the competition in both.

 

[canina82]

I personally think the best chance for UAE would be Pogacar and Del Toro being co-leaders, with them attack separately to fatigue MVDP, but I don't think that's the tactic they will use. Del Toro will be used to launch Pogacar, with the idea that this time it will go faster and longer than last year, and if Pogacar then launches, MVDP would break.

I'm talking about SB.
Regarding MSR, I don't know of Del Toro has what it takes to decimate a peloton like Pogacar did on Cipressa. You can't use the numbers card against MVP in a big group IMO.

 

[Berniece]

I'm talking about SB.
Regarding MSR, I don't know of Del Toro has what it takes to decimate a peloton like Pogacar did on Cipressa. You can't use the numbers card against MVP in a big group IMO.

In case of SB I think they'll just do their default approach. Make the race hard and Pogacar attacks. Del Toro will have to play domestique too.

In case of MSR, I agree that you can't do numbers in a big group. That's why they still need to launch hard with UAE on Cipressa, so most riders will drop. Then Del Toro launches with Pogacar just sitting in the wheel of MVDP.

 

[Shortcut]

In case of SB I think they'll just do their default approach. Make the race hard and Pogacar attacks. Del Toro will have to play domestique too.

In case of MSR, I agree that you can't do numbers in a big group. That's why they still need to launch hard with UAE on Cipressa, so most riders will drop. Then Del Toro launches with Pogacar just sitting in the wheel of MVDP.

MVDP is not normal rider to let Del Toro like this, he will attack both of them if they try something like that. Everybody forgot, MvDP attacked Pogi two times on the Poggio, first time he won easily, last year Tadej could reach him but MVDP was flying in a sprint. Also i don't believe Del Toro is 3rd favourite at MSR, i don't know where this narrative is coming from, he still showed nothing at races longer than 210km, but even so, there i guys who can still follow him on cipressa or Poggio if MvDP and Pogi are looking at each other (never going to happen). MVDP and Pogi love helping each other when they are going solo (last year MSR, Flanders, P-R) because is better for both of them in big picture. On the other hand SB could be great rave to try with Del Toro attacking first and let the guys looking at each other as Pogi is sitting with them. I really don't know how important is SB for Pogi and winning it 4th times would be a record, but since it is not a monoument but would be biggest win for Del Toro in his carrer, maybe it would buy his loyalty even more. It would be also good tactic to show other teams that Pogi is capable of letting Del Toro go, if nobody is working with him.

 

[Cycling111]

I'm talking about SB.
Regarding MSR, I don't know of Del Toro has what it takes to decimate a peloton like Pogacar did on Cipressa. You can't use the numbers card against MVP in a big group IMO.

At SB, Pogacar doesn't need any strategy and shouldn't give away this race like he did in Montreal. Montreal was after winning the Tour; this is the first race of the year, so it's important to start with a victory. Furthermore, the next race is Milano-San Remo, where he's not the favorite.
It's better to arrive in Flanders with a win so as not to go there under so much pressure.

Besides, if he wins he'll surpass Cancellara with 4 victories. He definitely shouldn't give away SB.

But I wouldn't underestimate Pidcock to think about whether or not he can hand the race over to someone else. Pidcock has shown great form in the climbs of Murcia and Andalusia

 

[Cycling111]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2029535553943748700

View: https://x.com/StradeBianche/status/2029535553943748700?s=20

 

[Lorzenz08]

Get ready for the first thermonuclear moment of the year...

 

[jotafap]

It is just me or Pogi looks already slim af?

 

[James M]

I see the big boys have arrived. Finally no more kity kata bs.

 

[Cycling111]

It is just me or Pogi looks already slim af?

I think he was thinner in 2024, I suppose because he had to do the Giro.Del Toro is bigger than Pogacar, and at his side, Pogacar looks small, but he doesn't look too thin to me.

https://twitter.com/x/status/2029552012832969187

View: https://x.com/Eurosport_IT/status/2029552012832969187?s=20

 

[Cycling111]

 

[canina82]

Fabian is old as hell. Time flies!
Regarding Pogacar, in 2 days we will know how much he will dominate the cycling season.

 

[Breh]

Please shave that head

 

[Krzysztof_O]

I think he was thinner in 2024, I suppose because he had to do the Giro.Del Toro is bigger than Pogacar, and at his side, Pogacar looks small, but he doesn't look too thin to me.

https://twitter.com/x/status/2029552012832969187

View: https://x.com/Eurosport_IT/status/2029552012832969187?s=20

2024 was all about GT double so probably his lowest ever weight in early season. He was very thin from the start and no cobbles on his way.