Tadej Pogacar and Mauro Giannetti

[Nick2413]

That makes sense, but the conspiracy theory is more fun to talk about on forums.

Tbf everything about his performance this year is a conspiracy. It’s 50/50 doping related or just doesn’t see it as a race to bother with along with other stuff like Urska not being picked etc

 

[Extinction]

Tbf everything about his performance this year is a conspiracy. It’s 50/50 doping related or just doesn’t see it as a race to bother with along with other stuff like Urska not being picked etc

But the Olympics is the biggest stage on earth, strange then that the yellow jersey suddenly decides to forfait.

 

[pastronef]

But the Olympics is the biggest stage on earth, strange then that the yellow jersey suddenly decides to forfait.

for athletics, swimming, track cycling, diving, mtb, gymnastics and on and on.

not for road cycling

 

[Extinction]

for athletics, swimming, track cycling, diving, mtb, gymnastics and on and on.

not for road cycling

Not before 1996, since then it's become practically as big.

 

[Nick2413]

But the Olympics is the biggest stage on earth, strange then that the yellow jersey suddenly decides to forfait.

I agree it’s probably more doping related than anything else. Although this year doesn’t suit him as much as ‘21.

 

[awavey]

Not before 1996, since then it's become practically as big.

I don't know, I'd struggle to name the podium for most of the Olympic races since 96, except for the exceptional of note races, or surprises.

 

[Extinction]

I don't know, I'd struggle to name the podium for most of the Olympic races since 96, except for the exceptional of note races, or surprises.

When Bettini won and Nibali almost did, you got the greatness of the event.

 

[Brullnux]

When Bettini won and Nibali almost did, you got the greatness of the event.

Van Avermaet got himself a gold bike for like the rest of his career. Vino's gold was very funny, too, if only because Team GB was basically just Team Sky and they misjudged it so horribly.

 

[Rou]

I have to agree with Bryunel's opinion about the Olympics. The Olympics should be about the oldest and traditional sports which are not professional (athletics, swimming, archery and so on). I don't see any prestige about a professional sport in the Olympics (the exception is probably basketball). I rate an Olympic gold medal in cycling lower than about 15 different cycling races on the calendar. That's what baffles me: Why a rider on the caliber of Remco is wasting his time on the Olympic TT? He has much more potential than that.

 

[Salvarani]

I have to agree with Bryunel's opinion about the Olympics. The Olympics should be about the oldest and traditional sports which are not professional (athletics, swimming, archery and so on). I don't see any prestige about a professional sport in the Olympics (the exception is probably basketball). I rate an Olympic gold medal in cycling lower than about 15 different cycling races on the calendar. That's what baffles me: Why a rider on the caliber of Remco is wasting his time on the Olympic TT? He has much more potential than that.

There is also so many great cyclists, who arent at the event. That could or should be there for their countries. That could have been leaders or be able to win the race etc. You cant really pick four of the best riders from a country, because that wouldnt work, like you can do with other sports.

Like in most other sports it is just the very best because that have qualified through running a good time or jumped a certain distance.

Cycling isnt that straight-forward and the Olympics is a very "weird" race compared to a normal race.

The ITT is more straight-forward as an event, but at the same time a lot of great time trialists are missing that probably would have been "qualified" to be there.

 

[Extinction]

I have to agree with Bryunel's opinion about the Olympics. The Olympics should be about the oldest and traditional sports which are not professional (athletics, swimming, archery and so on). I don't see any prestige about a professional sport in the Olympics (the exception is probably basketball). I rate an Olympic gold medal in cycling lower than about 15 different cycling races on the calendar. That's what baffles me: Why a rider on the caliber of Remco is wasting his time on the Olympic TT? He has much more potential than that.

Bruyneel is a jackass on this. Today's generation grew up with the Olympic mystique, which trancends cycling. I used to think this way, but the visibility it provides and the fact that all the best athletes in the world are at the Olympic Village means cycling's best can't not show up. For non-cycling fans it's the Worlds, for cycling fans it's become another Worlds. It's not been for amatuers since Atlanta 96. Come on Bruyneel get with the times.

 

[Nick2413]

Bruyneel is a jackass on this. Today's generation grew up with the Olympic mystique, which trancends cycling. I used to think this way, but the visibility it provides and the fact that all the best athletes in the world are at the Olympic Village means cycling's best can't not show up. For non-cycling fans it's the Worlds, for cycling fans it's become another Worlds. It's not been for amatuers since Atlanta 96. Come on Bruyneel get with the times.

Back when I was a casual “fan” I only really knew of TdF and Olympics, but on that same note the Olympic RR was barely a blip in my radar compared to the Tour.

 

[carolina]

The problem with the Olympics is the same with Worlds. It's not the best cyclists in the world that are present, it's the best one day cyclists for the profile of the race.

It's only possible to have consistent results with the ITT.

At least with WC you get the right to wear the rainbow jersey, which provides more attention and sponsors during the following year.

 

[Brullnux]

The problem with the Olympics is the same with Worlds. It's not the best cyclists in the world that are present, it's the best one day cyclists for the profile of the race.

Ah, so Pogacar.

 

[Extinction]

The problem with the Olympics is the same with Worlds. It's not the best cyclists in the world that are present, it's the best one day cyclists for the profile of the race.

It's only possible to have consistent results with the ITT.

At least with WC you get the right to wear the rainbow jersey, which provides more attention and sponsors during the following year.

It should always be a tough course.

 

[chris_sssss]

2. Pogacar (the biggest talent since Merckx) crushes the peloton on the climbs.

Sorry, this is ridiculous. Nothing in his youth indicated that he is such a talent - even in slovenia he was not outstanding. He won his first relevant races as an adult. Not comparable to other riders that showed their potencial in their youth.

 

[carolina]

It should always be a tough course.

Just the fact that it is a one day race excludes a certain type of rider. Take Contador, for instance. One of the best during his era, but terrible at one day races. He never stood a chance.

 

[chris_sssss]

Thats about the same as Jorgenson has done in recent years, if not more.

He is gone from nowhere to dropping everybody but Vinge and Pog on PdB in less than two years.

According to mou this is more than reasonable - Movistar ist the worst team regarding training, nutrition etc. Matteo had to do altitude training with personal budget.

Then he went to Visma that ist at least the 2nd best team in it. His progression this year was obvious but I think his biggest step will come 2025. UAE wanted to have him and might have developed him in the same way.

 

[Salvarani]

According to mou this is more than reasonable - Movistar ist the worst team regarding training, nutrition etc. Matteo had to do altitude training with personal budget.

Then he went to Visma that ist at least the 2nd best team in it. His progression this year was obvious but I think his biggest step will come 2025. UAE wanted to have him and might have developed him in the same way.

Another thing he was right about! He don’t miss.

 

[repoman]

Unless it is a silent ban, Pog skipping the Olympics over testing makes no sense. The Olympics is the biggest piss take ever when it comes to doping. Have we learned nothing from London 2012, Beijing 08 etc etc.

Olympics have brought in a different anti-doping agency (AFLD) this year, not ITA/WADA.

 

[E_F_]

Matteo had to do altitude training with personal budget.

Yeah altitude training doesn't do all that much.

 

[ivanic]

My legs are shaking and they said the epo test took 11 years (1989 - 2000) and you can always work with the pharmaceutical companies to manipulate the molecule.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nm6nEPP-F4Y

 

[Ripper]

Ah le forum. Le pays des marionnettes à chaussettes et, parfois, des marionnettistes à chaussettes habiles !

 

[Pannenkooky]

So doesn't Tadej dropping out of the Olympics serve several purposes? I know the Olympics aren't as important as the triple crown with WC, and it seems like by saying he's "fatigued" (sure...buddy did not look fatigued) he stays under the radar for awhile, in addition to the reasoning about his girlfriend not being selected. Seems win win for him to be out of the spotlight for non doping reasons ATM.

 

[Amazinmets87]

Power Analysis: Pogačar’s Power Numbers Are the Highest We’ve Ever Seen in Professional Cycling

In this column, we dive into the power numbers of Tadej Pogačar, Jonas Vingegaard, and more at the Tour de France.

velo.outsideonline.com