Teams & Riders The "MVP" Mathieu Van der Poel Road Discussion Thread

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If MVP is doing MSR and Wout and Poggy aren't there, there's no much that can stop him right? Perhaps a really strong Pedersen or wunderlegs of De Lie? Anyone else that can follow he should be able to deal with in a sprint.

Strade is another matter. A lot of climbing, especially with the 3 new gravel climbs and 200k +. I don't think classic riders can win this one over pure climbers.
He won Strade once already, just as WvA. But I think seasonal planning doesn't allow you to be at your best at Strade if you've done the CX worlds less than a month before. In the 2021 season he didn't have to keep his form in spring until PR because PR was in October, but he was already complaining that he didn't have the greatest legs in RVV where he lost the sprint to Asgreen. Being top notch from 2nd of March until half of April seems too much of a stretch to me.

Regarding MSR I disagree with you btw, I think Pogi in a way was a perfect companion for MvdP, with his scorching tempo on the Poggio he dropped all the sprinters. Without Pogi, the explosiveness must come from him, although I thought it was on Pogacar's planning to ride MSR.
 
If MVP is doing MSR and Wout and Poggy aren't there, there's no much that can stop him right? Perhaps a really strong Pedersen or wunderlegs of De Lie? Anyone else that can follow he should be able to deal with in a sprint.

Strade is another matter. A lot of climbing, especially with the 3 new gravel climbs and 200k +. I don't think classic riders can win this one over pure climbers.
Except that MSR is the least likely of the monuments where strongest = wins, even when a rider has all the tools to do so. Sagan being the prime example, but also Gilbert and others.

Don’t get me wrong, I think he’s likely to win MSR again, but it’s not like you can just check that off as a win just because (if) Van Aert and Pogacar aren’t there.
 
I can't remember Pogacar beating Van Aert in a sprint.
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Wout was clearly riding on fumes by that time of the year. He's been overraced by Jumbo Vismo doing tons of domestique work in stage races for Primoz and Jonas for several years now. This year he seems to be calling the shots and backing off a little so hopefully he will be stronger for his goal races.
Yeah, good thing that Pogacar was able to take it easy during the Tour.