Teams & Riders Tadej Pogačar discussion thread

[Monsi]

Chapeau again! 3rd RVV victory. Won the first two Monuments of the season. He definitely had to work harder this time though. He was grimacing a lot on the last Kwaremont + Paterberg combo. Makes sense though since they've been racing hard since Molenberg, 50 km further out than usual. He did recover quickly though and just opened that gap on MVDP.

On to Roubaix next week. A chance to make history.

 

[yaf2]

Impressive + perfect tactics.
He softened the legs of MvDP on the Kruisberg and then nuked him early on the Kwaremont. The gap was way bigger than last year on the Kwaremont.
GOAT!

Almost a text book performance, said thank u for coming 🤝🙌
On the other hand what vdp did today is diabolical. He should have stopped working after kruisberg, perhaps he would have saved the 6 secs he lost on kwaremont.

 

[Bavarianrider]

Greatest non Ball-sports athlete of all time, it is not even remotely close anymore.

 

[canina82]

Impressive + perfect tactics.
He softened the legs of MvDP on the Kruisberg and then nuked him early on the Kwaremont. The gap was way bigger than last year on the Kwaremont.
GOAT!

That's not true. He was 6" faster than MVP meanwhile in 2025, he was 12" faster.

 

[canina82]

Greatest non Ball-sports athlete of all time, it is not even remotely close anymore.

No love for Phelps? And the best male athlete is clearly Armstrong, he literally won the TdF 7x "without balls".

 

[Monsi]

That's not true. He was 6" faster than MVP meanwhile in 2025, he was 12" faster.

Stronger MVDP this time

 

[No Excuses]

That's not true. He was 6" faster than MVP meanwhile in 2025, he was 12" faster.

Really? Last year it took much longer to get rid of MvDP

 

[hayneplane]

More records. 4 consecutive monuments, an accomplishment even Merckx never managed.

The stakes are enormous for next week but for now just basking in the glory another sensational ride.

 

[Brullnux]

Really? Last year it took much longer to get rid of MvDP

That's because van der Poel approached it differently. Let the gap go and kept it close rather than trying to hang on and cracking.

 

[canina82]

Really? Last year it took much longer to get rid of MvDP

Really. MVP cracked way harder last year. In fact, if Wout didn't come to the rescue, the gap would be closer to 20".

 

[the asian]

Great ride for the win. Easily the Strongest.

now to rewrite history next Sunday and to become the first to win MSR, Ronde and PR in the same season.

 

[Monsi]

That's because van der Poel approached it differently. Let the gap go and kept it close rather than trying to hang on and cracking.

I think this is it too. Last year, MVDP tried to keep pace with Pogi, went over his limit and then cracked. This year, he let the wheel go immediately and tried to stay as close as possible.

 

[canina82]

I think this is it too. Last year, MVDP tried to keep pace with Pogi, went over his limit and then cracked. This year, he let the wheel go immediately and tried to stay as close as possible.

He was letting Pogacar go away and then close the gap on the easiest section.

 

[Unchained]

Impressive + perfect tactics.
He softened the legs of MvDP on the Kruisberg and then nuked him early on the Kwaremont. The gap was way bigger than last year on the Kwaremont.
GOAT!

Everything about the race was great, initial breakaway, the chase was great.
The big selection was a who's who of race favorites, little gaps that turned into a disaster for almost everyone except for 5 guys. Remco rode a fantastic race, Pogacar looks back and sees Remco possibly making contact he got out of the saddle momentarily and Remco never recovered. Still great, deep, deep dig to stay in the race. Pogacar showed highest level of respect for all, but he showed that MvdP is a true, true professional, the way that all top riders kept taking pulls and nobody played games was just awesome to watch. MvdP in the camera shot as Tadej crossed the line.. It was worth waking up at 330 in the morning..

 

[skippo12]

That's not true. He was 6" faster than MVP meanwhile in 2025, he was 12" faster.

Managed his effort. Smaller gap on the Kwaremont but with more left in the tank for Paterberg and the flat 10km.

 

[AmRacer]

Fourth monument in a row, that's a record

 

[Lorzenz08]

THE CANNIBAL STRIKES AGAIN !!!!

What a beautiful duo ! Pogi beating the greatest cobble rider of all time, no fall, no race issue. Pure fight.
They gave all they had, both grimacing, digging deep.

 

[Ilmaestro99]

Hopefully he will be arrested tonight

 

[canina82]

Hopefully he will be arrested tonight

Yeah, he is constantly exceeding speed limits on Kwaremont.

 

[yaf2]

We’re on track for a historic 5 monuments in the same season feat but what I saw today humbles me a little bit. I thought pog has made another step in performance this year which could give him roubaix but its the same as last year I guess. vdp still the favorite.

 

[canina82]

We’re on track for a historic 5 monuments in the same season feat but what I saw today humbles me a little bit. I thought pog has made another step in performance this year which could give him roubaix but its the same as last year I guess. vdp still the favorite.

He was dragging MVP 80% of the time. The gap was bigger than last year.

 

[yaf2]

He was dragging MVP 80% of the time. The gap was bigger than last year.

Of course he is and was always better than vdp in flanders, its just the accumulated fatigue from the climbs which makes pog the favorite there but roubaix is a completely different race. To win roubaix pog needs to be significantly better( in terms of level) than vdp like winning flanders 2 minutes ahead of vdp. But now they’re on the same level for roubaix like last year which I assume they don’t drop each other & will fight it out in a sprint

 

[canina82]

Of course he is and was always better than vdp in flanders, its just the accumulated fatigue from the climbs which makes pog the favorite there but roubaix is a completely different race. To win roubaix pog needs to be significantly better( in terms of level) than vdp like winning flanders 2 minutes ahead of vdp. But now they’re on the same level for roubaix like last year which I assume they don’t drop each other & will fight it out in a sprint

But this is exactly what I expected. Pogacar will not drop MVP on the cobbles. He needs some luck there and play the perfect sprint. He already beated MVP twice last year in a sprint.

 

[KoopaCycling]

I wonder if i ever get to see what would be my rule as a cycling GM.
Never ride with Pogacar or at best soft-pedal whilst making it look like you are riding with him but never actually ride with him. Unless your group with Pogacar is big enough and all that's left between you and the finish is a flat road and you're the clear cut faster sprinter.

 

[canina82]

I wonder if i ever get to see what would be my rule as a cycling GM.
Never ride with Pogacar or at best soft-pedal whilst making it look like you are riding with him but never actually ride with him. Unless your group with Pogacar is big enough and all that's left between you and the finish is a flat road and you're the clear cut faster sprinter.

This is what MVP did today. For some reason, Remxo wasn't distanced for good. MVP worked way less and when he was pulling,he was clearly faking it.