Now as to Pogacar.
Here are the "problems"
Problem 1.
https://lanternerouge.com/2024/07/1...ateau-de-beille-tour-de-france-2024-stage-15/
Take a look at the chart of all-time climbing performances that is included in the article. Understand I am taking these figures at face value. As someone with a MS in Sports Analytics a massive red flag went up.
A few times people have mentioned Remco's performance on Plateau De Beille as suspicious yet his performance could be explained by the apspects that everyone ascribes to improvement such as technology improvements in the equipment and nutriaional improvements (keytones). Remco is in line with Pantani's performances and top 40 performances all time. He had previously shown the ability of doing 6.5 w/kg in Norway in 2022 on a 30 minute climb.
Irrespective of one's beliefs regarding Remco, the 6.98 w/kg for nearly 40 minute should stand out because it's far above any trendline and smashes any doped performance of Pantani. If you've looked at as many linear regressions as I have we're always examing patterns and looking to rationalize/explain anomalies.
As I mentioned my position is based on the accuracy of the data. I'm well aware there are many factors that can affect performance that may not be reflected in the data. Nevertheless, it should stick out
Problem 2. Tadej Pogacar electing to withdraw from the Olympics should raise a lot of questions and no I've never bought the story that it was due his partner not being selected to the women's team.
Here you have someone that is trying to win everything in the sport who competes in the Tokyo Olympics yet strangely does not compete in the Paris Olympics after setting climbing records on back to back days including the Plateau de Beille climb.
While pros haven't been always allowed at the Olympics, I have a hard time buying the suggestion that the Olympics aren't important.
Problem 3. Weird interview regarding rebreathers that Pogacar gave where he denied knowing what they were and then later admitted he was using the rebreathers, which seems to have been scrubbed from Youtube. (if someone can find that interview it would be greatly appreciated. )
All I have is this video from youtube:
What Is Carbon Monoxide Rebreathing & Why Is Everyone Talking About It?
As an aside I didn't even get into Mauro Gianetti /Maxtin or even UAE realted issues. They are on their own would requir a separate post to discuss their stories.