Tadej Pogacar and Mauro Giannetti

[Notarobot]

I did it! I did not watch the Tour today. The wife wants to thank Tadej for a fantastic Friday.

 

[Psycat]

The motor allegedly used by Lance Armstrong to cheat

The latest scandal to surround ex-cyclist Lance Armstrong is the accusation of having used technological doping during some of the sport's biggest events. The American was strippe

www.marca.com

Isn't it pretty clear that Armstrong used a motor?

Take a look at the video. Those strange movements with his finger under the saddle. As if he was pressing a button. Immediately afterwards he increases his cadence.

But doubters will surely say that he just stuck his finger in his bum for a moment.

Maybe he did and if he did Pogacar still makes him look pedestrian so one have to wonder.

I do believe motors has been used by a select few riders, we all know the usual suspects, not so sure that's what's going on with Pogacar though. Leaning more towards some frontieresque bioengineering.

 

[scribers]

The motor allegedly used by Lance Armstrong to cheat

The latest scandal to surround ex-cyclist Lance Armstrong is the accusation of having used technological doping during some of the sport's biggest events. The American was strippe

www.marca.com

Isn't it pretty clear that Armstrong used a motor?

Take a look at the video. Those strange movements with his finger under the saddle. As if he was pressing a button. Immediately afterwards he increases his cadence.

But doubters will surely say that he just stuck his finger in his bum for a moment.

If he didn’t sniff test it = motor

 

[AlfTupper]

Aouita never admitted to doping

In a way you are correct as it seems he admitted it when coaching the Australian distance squad in the early 2000's, but has never openly admitted it to the world. There are consistent reports from Australian athletes that Aouita kept telling them the only way to succeed at senior level was to dope. I guess I should have been clearer, although much like the Pogacar situation, I am amazed that anybody paying attention and reasonably well informed could think Aouita was drug free.

 

[fenns]

In a way you are correct as it seems he admitted it when coaching the Australian distance squad in the early 2000's, but has never openly admitted it to the world. There are consistent reports from Australian athletes that Aouita kept telling them the only way to succeed at senior level was to dope. I guess I should have been clearer, although much like the Pogacar situation, I am amazed that anybody paying attention and reasonably well informed could think Aouita was drug free.

I would think it's a long time since a world record holder was drug free - or a Tour De France winner.

 

[Stablo]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1946245562799382767

View: https://x.com/WattsinCycling/status/1946245562799382767?s=19


Clearly cleanz! I don't know what they are giving the guy, but his not even sweating lol. The grimmace even looked fake in the picture and the video as i watched some of the clownshow on replay. Has to be some new super juice/bio engineering and extra magic from state owned Colnago. In a fatique fest like a cycling GT this just...don't even have the words. Vinge had surely some refuelling too, but they are still from a different alien planet. The difference in the effort they look like putting in is infernal. Almost two seasons of this super high effortless peak form and on the best days beating all time monster doped performances. Also those super doped riders mostly did those rides on few occasions(once), not around the year on all terrain.

Edit. Oh I actually managed to see one drop of sweat in the picture, so nothing to see here his cleanz.

 

[Nomad]

what an absolute farce. It is possible that Pog is a genetic, biological freak of nature, but not to this degree. It's just absurd. Anyone with a semblance of knowledge of cycling history must surely realise he's on something. Something that others don't have access to.

But what could that "something" be? Something that no one else would have access to? And how long could a secret be kept on PED(s)/program that would produce alien results that's making a mockery of the world's best cyclists?

This is what some said about Armstrong back in his heyday: He's too dominate - crushing his main rivals on climbs & TTs year after year - so he must be on "something" special that no one else has access to. I even heard some say Armstrong was a product of genetic engineering. Lol.

As it turned out, there wasn't "something" special that no one else had access to. He was using good ole fashioned EPO & blood transfusions, HGH & corticosteroids. He was just a super responder to these substances & the program that Ferrari had him on (don't forget Armstrong paid Ferrari about a million bucks to oversee his doping & training program).

 

[Ripper]

But what could that "something" be? Something that no one else would have access to? And how long could a secret be kept on PED(s)/program that would produce alien results that's making a mockery of the world's best cyclists?

This is what some said about Armstrong back in his heyday: He's too dominate - crushing his main rivals on climbs & TTs year after year - so he must be on "something" special that no one else has access to. I even heard some say Armstrong was a product of genetic engineering. Lol.

As it turned out, there wasn't "something" special that no one else had access to. He was using good ole fashioned EPO & blood transfusions, HGH & corticosteroids. He was just a super responder to these substances & the program that Ferrari had him on (don't forget Armstrong paid Ferrari about a million bucks to oversee his doping & training program).

It wasn't something, but he had someone no one else had the same access to

 

[BoobiesAndBloodBags]

Guessing he rode a road bike up and not the TT bike because the TT bike doesn't have a motor?

 

[avid watcher]

How is this even worth watching anymore. He is absolutely destroying people for fun and making it look like a fun ride. I know money plays a part like the world club cup but this is just ridiculous

 

[Nomad]

It wasn't something, but he had someone no one else had the same access to

If I understand the poster correctly, he's saying he's on "something" that no one else has access to? I'm construing that to mean PED(s)?

If you're talking about a doping doctor/PED specialist that no one else has access to. Okay, sure, but wouldn't that still involve PED(s)? And if so, how long can these substances be kept secret for such a long time? (don't riders talked amongst themselves always trying to determine what the best -and easiest to avoid detection - PEDs are?).

Also, Ferrari had other clients he was working with long before Armstrong hired him (Chiappucci, Bugno, Cipollini, etc).

Again, Armstrong was just a super responder like never seen before. His rivals, who were using the exact same PEDs, never once complained that Armstrong had an unfair advantage with the type of PEDs he was using (in fact, isn't Armstrong & Ullrich the best of friends today?).

​

 

[Ripper]

If I understand the poster correctly, he's saying he's on "something" that no one else has access to? I'm construing that to mean PED(s)?

If you're talking about a doping doctor/PED specialist that no one else has access to. Okay, sure, but wouldn't that still involve PED(s)? And if so, how long can these substances be kept secret for such a long time? (don't riders talked amongst themselves always trying to determine what the best -and easiest to avoid detection - PEDs are?).

Also, Ferrari had other clients he was working with long before Armstrong hired him (Chiappucci, Bugno, Cipollini, etc).

Again, Armstrong was just a super responder like never seen before. His rivals, who were using the exact same PEDs, never once complained that Armstrong had an unfair advantage with the type of PEDs he was using (in fact, isn't Armstrong & Ullrich the best of friends today?).

​

Yes that was my basic point, he had access to a person who provided him with the top tier of advising. The full meal deal. It was not just purely the random luck of being a super responder. And it was miles ahead by the time Pharmstrong was working with Ferrari. Bugno and Chiappucci were long before, and Cipo was a sprinter (I think a pretty successful one?)

My understanding is that Armstrong paid for a lot of Ferrari time and expertise. He also had an exclusivity agreement - others could not hire the same Ferrari package.

It's not like PEDs are like mixing a sports drink, making coffee, or taking vitamins - just take this amount and there you go. If everyone dopes, the field is not even and it not just based on how well you respond to 'X' drugs or methods.

 

[Shakes]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1946245562799382767

View: https://x.com/WattsinCycling/status/1946245562799382767?s=19

Effectively a FTP test and above 7wkg. Nothing to see here, obviously just the natural GOAT. It's all plausible as they eat a lot of carbs (important for a 20 minute effort like this obviously) and he only a year ago got a good coach. That and natural talent makes this completely believable.

It makes complete sense no one in the media questions this.

 

[Red Rick]

I like how UAE are like "look at our aero climbing bike" when Pogacar's main "rivals" are literally on full TT setups and Pogacar is obliterating them riding around with the CdA of an aircraft carrier.

 

[MartinGT]

The one thing with Pog. He NEVER has an off day from what I remember. Even when he crashes ala Strade or this Tour. That crash at Strade this year looked nasty and he lost a lot of skin. Then *bang* he drops a watt bomb on Pidcock whilst he looks fresh as a daisy.

 

[Notarobot]

Just watch the Hautacam attack, especially the airshot, do we know what the acceleration was? His top speed must have been 50+km/u

 

[snipeheem]

The one thing with Pog. He NEVER has an off day from what I remember. Even when he crashes ala Strade or this Tour. That crash at Strade this year looked nasty and he lost a lot of skin. Then *bang* he drops a watt bomb on Pidcock whilst he looks fresh as a daisy.

Amstel 2025

 

[ashhutch1997]

Amstel 2025

Mate he attacked 40k out solo and came 2nd in a photo finish, that isn't a bad day lol.

 

[ashhutch1997]

The one thing with Pog. He NEVER has an off day from what I remember. Even when he crashes ala Strade or this Tour. That crash at Strade this year looked nasty and he lost a lot of skin. Then *bang* he drops a watt bomb on Pidcock whilst he looks fresh as a daisy.

Col de la Loze 2023. It's ridiculous, the guy has been in great form for two years straight.

 

[ashhutch1997]

I'm actually at the stage where I want Pogacar to just go full greed mode, just for comical reasons. Just how bonkers can he go before something actually happens, or even gets questioned.

 

[Revelation]

There was nothing surprising about yesterday, if anything, the gap was smaller than expected considering Pog had a better climbing setup than Vingo.

Again, I don't see anything strange about his 2024-25 level after seeing his "starting" level of 2019-20, while being super young and with maybe the worst physique I can think of a GT rider ever. Have 25-26 old Pog standing next to the 21-year old Pog, and of course you'd say the former will destroy the latter in the mountains, while maintaining a much higher and consistent level over the year.

The other thing, the 2 weaknesses he turned to strengths: endurance over 3 weeks and heat. The first basically fixes itself with improved level, being much stronger you spend less on the limit over the duration and naturally defeat everyone, even if someone is theoretically more suited for GT distance. 2nd, I'd imagine it's possible to alter your training to work on that.

So it's about how he was able to be the best rider in the world as a kid with terrible physique; is is just innate talent and he is the GOAT, or was it somehow given to him sometime between 2015-19?

 

[snipeheem]

Mate he attacked 40k out solo and came 2nd in a photo finish, that isn't a bad day lol.

I know but for him it looks like a bad day

 

[snipeheem]

There was nothing surprising about yesterday, if anything, the gap was smaller than expected considering Pog had a better climbing setup than Vingo.

Again, I don't see anything strange about his 2024-25 level after seeing his "starting" level of 2019-20, while being super young and with maybe the worst physique I can think of a GT rider ever. Have 25-26 old Pog standing next to the 21-year old Pog, and of course you'd say the former will destroy the latter in the mountains, while maintaining a much higher and consistent level over the year.

The other thing, the 2 weaknesses he turned to strengths: endurance over 3 weeks and heat. The first basically fixes itself with improved level, being much stronger you spend less on the limit over the duration and naturally defeat everyone, even if someone is theoretically more suited for GT distance. 2nd, I'd imagine it's possible to alter your training to work on that.

So it's about how he was able to be the best rider in the world as a kid with terrible physique; is is just innate talent and he is the GOAT, or was it somehow given to him sometime between 2015-19?

Man yesterday he was pushing 7,5w/kg on the climb… not surprising? He just crashed 3 days ago, no way in hell he is in peak shape right now and he still giving us greatest performance that this sport has ever seen.Of course Sola help him a lot but come on..

 

[Revelation]

Man yesterday he was pushing 7,5w/kg on the climb… not surprising? He just crashed 3 days ago, no way in hell he is in peak shape right now and he still giving us greatest performance that this sport has ever seen.Of course Sola help him a lot but come on..

Not even close to the best performance, wasn't this slightly better than Combloux, while a TT? And you missed my point, the development from 2020 Pog to this isn't surprising when comparing the 2 versions.

 

[snipeheem]

Not even close to the best performance, wasn't this slightly better than Combloux, while a TT? And you missed my point, the development from 2020 Pog to this isn't surprising when comparing the 2 versions.

It is surprising. No way someone believe that he can become that kind of monster even after winning the tour at 22.