Tadej Pogacar and Mauro Giannetti

Page 505 - Get up to date with the latest news, scores & standings from the Cycling News Community.
Apr 8, 2023
5,984
6,887
16,180
AlpRaid beat me to it, but some good quotes,
original post on Instagram at View: https://www.instagram.com/p/DWKEp1glxUt/

“Honestly, I’m stunned,” he wrote. “I watch Pogacar race, win, string results together, dominate, recover, and start again, and I cannot accept the wonderful story we’re being told.”
He continued: “A rider who almost never dips, who moves through the seasons with such relentless consistency, who seems able to do everything, everywhere, all the time, should provoke something other than automatic applause.”
Asking whether such total dominance is plausible is not scandalous. It’s the bare minimum.”
Of course the guy is French, so we can put it all down to jealousy ...

edit -Erwann Menthéour's own history of racing/doping -
https://autobus.cyclingnews.com/results/1999/feb99/feb5.shtml
 
Last edited:
Apr 15, 2016
4,237
667
17,680
I have never seen you talk about his watts whenever he loses. I appreciate you proving me right.
Well he barely loses, so there is barely any talk. The only big race he lost in the last calendar year is 2025 Paris-Roubaix where he was 2nd. (a 4x Tour winner finishing 2nd in Roubaix is suspicious itself)
 
  • Like
Reactions: topcat
Jul 15, 2023
187
613
4,030
Well, broken or not, I think there’s something *very* special about that bike. Pidcock even asked after the race who would do his motor pacing in next year’s race if Pogacar wasn’t doing it. To be fair, he has a point.
 
  • Like
  • Haha
Reactions: jotafap and DONCA
May 26, 2025
58
194
380
-crash
-less teammates
-broken frame & rubbing brakes
-headwind

but breaking the cipressa record

2026: 8:50
2025: 9:00
2024: 9:29

nothing to see here....
 
  • Like
Reactions: AlpRaid
Jul 7, 2013
8,732
15,710
23,180
Well, broken or not, I think there’s something *very* special about that bike. Pidcock even asked after the race who would do his motor pacing in next year’s race if Pogacar wasn’t doing it. To be fair, he has a point.

It's obvious Pidcock said it as a joke refering to Pogacar's pace. As for a real motor inside Pog's bike, well this subject isn't new. 2024 was the first time it was considered seriously here (esp. after Plateau de Beille and Lombardia). Obviously I won't bet that he surely has no motor inside his bike: I really hope it's just an organic engine, otherwise it's not cycling anymore.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Cookster15
Feb 20, 2012
54,877
45,659
28,180
It's obvious Pidcock said it as a joke refering to Pogacar's pace. As for a real motor inside Pog's bike, well this subject isn't new. 2024 was the first time it was considered seriously here (esp. after Plateau de Beille and Lombardia). Obviously I won't bet that he surely has no motor inside his bike: I really hope it's just an organic engine, otherwise it's not cycling anymore.
We all know making implicit accusations with doublespeak that can function as a joke/compliment is the way to go
 
  • Haha
Reactions: jotafap
Sep 5, 2016
5,687
8,937
23,180
What was great?

Pogacar crashing half his rivals out of contention. Other riders helping him for no reason? Van der Poel committing harakiri? Or the sheer inevitable fact that he's never losing a 1v1 sprint versus Pidcock.

The only thing there was to see is basically everything wrong with cycling in 2026 and why the cult of persona around Pogacar makes me want to bash my own brain out so that I can converse with 2026 cycling fans on their level
I apologize for you needing to inflict self harm to get down on some rudimentary race communications with us commoners.
I would like to introduce some historical data to your emotional undertaking.. If you crash, if Pogacar crashes, if by chance you crash and you are involved with Pogacar....you don't help him chase for no reason as you contend, you help him chase, hold on best you can, try to do some sucking survival on his wheel, because statistically if he brings you back to something it's either a win or very near the front of the race. Doesn't take super intelligent, superior coaching, strategy to adopt the obvious at every race..do what Pogacar does move for move and things as a rule, work out.
My first coach said stay in forth and at the end win the sprint.. Sounded pretty easy, then I attempted to stay in top 4-6 positions for every race and it nearly killed me.. and when I ditched his silly simplicity and decided to drift back and enjoy a free ride in the pack, every @10-12 races a crash due to complacency occurred almost like clock work.. If Tadej is chasing and you are a lesser rider, let's face it, everyone is you follow his lead and don't ask questions, racing results say he is not in the habit of doing dumb things for " no reason " as you posted. His reasoning obvious or mysterious is effective..If you must bash please use a pillow or bag of marshmallows... Lol
 
Jul 7, 2013
8,732
15,710
23,180
What was great?

Pogacar crashing half his rivals out of contention. Other riders helping him for no reason? Van der Poel committing harakiri? Or the sheer inevitable fact that he's never losing a 1v1 sprint versus Pidcock.

The only thing there was to see is basically everything wrong with cycling in 2026 and why the cult of persona around Pogacar makes me want to bash my own brain out so that I can converse with 2026 cycling fans on their level

Man, get two weeks of vacation before Flandres. Or more than that.
 
Jul 15, 2023
187
613
4,030
It's obvious Pidcock said it as a joke refering to Pogacar's pace. As for a real motor inside Pog's bike, well this subject isn't new. 2024 was the first time it was considered seriously here (esp. after Plateau de Beille and Lombardia). Obviously I won't bet that he surely has no motor inside his bike: I really hope it's just an organic engine, otherwise it's not cycling anymore.
I know Pidcock was joking. As was I. Sort of.
 
  • Like
Reactions: jotafap