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

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I was mostly looking at the past 20 years, and if you then look at the opposition, as well as how those riders did the rest of the season you know that the field just isn't as impressive as is the case for De Ronde, Roubaix and Liege.urse
I don’t see how you can compare Lombardia’s status to RvV and P-R for the period you’re talking about because Cancellara and Boonen dominated the cobbled monuments but didn’t even Ride (or rarely, not sure) Lombardia. So of course they don’t grace the list of winners there.

I personally agree that RvV and P-R have more cachet in pro cycling than Lombardia does. But an illogical argument doesn’t support that view.
 
I don’t see how you can compare Lombardia’s status to RvV and P-R for the period you’re talking about because Cancellara and Boonen dominated the cobbled monuments but didn’t even Ride (or rarely, not sure) Lombardia. So of course they don’t grace the list of winners there.

I personally agree that RvV and P-R have more cachet in pro cycling than Lombardia does. But an illogical argument doesn’t support that view.
Point was that the best in cobbles were there for De Rond and Roubaix, while this wasn’t the case for Lombardia.

Like someone else also said, Lombardia is at the end of the season, it’s the worst location. It’s just for people after Vuelta and World Championship who still want to. Valverde never winning it tells you he was never there in his best form, no one really is.
 
Point was that the best in cobbles were there for De Rond and Roubaix, while this wasn’t the case for Lombardia.

Like someone else also said, Lombardia is at the end of the season, it’s the worst location. It’s just for people after Vuelta and World Championship who still want to. Valverde never winning it tells you he was never there in his best form, no one really is.
Got it, I see what you’re saying.
 
Point was that the best in cobbles were there for De Rond and Roubaix, while this wasn’t the case for Lombardia.

Like someone else also said, Lombardia is at the end of the season, it’s the worst location. It’s just for people after Vuelta and World Championship who still want to. Valverde never winning it tells you he was never there in his best form, no one really is.
"Nobody is in great form in Lombardia" does contrast with riders focusing their entire fall season on that race. Besides, quite a few Ronde contenders skip Roubaix.

The whole thing revolves around cobbled riders being this self fullfilling prophecy while Lombardia riders must be great elsewhere to be good for Lombardia.
 
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I liked Gerrans.

By which I mean I liked hating him.

He unified the forum like a reverse Jesus figure

Whilst having totally different racing tactics to Contador, Gerrans probably had very similar philosophy.

"The second place is no good."

Hence he always raced as if he cared less about a podium then his group 1 riding companions, calling their bluff; "I don't care if those 5/10/20/50 riders in group 2 catch us, but I know that you, so keep working, thanks."

Gerrans was not as good as Matthews imo, but he has a better palmares.
 
"Nobody is in great form in Lombardia" does contrast with riders focusing their entire fall season on that race. Besides, quite a few Ronde contenders skip Roubaix.

The whole thing revolves around cobbled riders being this self fullfilling prophecy while Lombardia riders must be great elsewhere to be good for Lombardia.
Most riders focus the fall on Vuelta and WC.
 
Whilst having totally different racing tactics to Contador, Gerrans probably had very similar philosophy.

"The second place is no good."

Hence he always raced as if he cared less about a podium then his group 1 riding companions, calling their bluff; "I don't care if those 5/10/20/50 riders in group 2 catch us, but I know that you, so keep working, thanks."

Gerrans was not as good as Matthews imo, but he has a better palmares.
Because his strategy would be perceived as inaction, people greatly underrated his bravery.
 
press today

is happy with all the wins so far but wants to keep this form for another 10 days until+LBL. Believes he can do well although he realizes there are better climbers there.

As for amstel specifically he says this race suits him as it's rvv without cobbles. Didn't look at his competitors/startlist yet when asked who his main competition is gonna be. Says he always goes from own strength and not focus on who else is there.
 
Because his strategy would be perceived as inaction, people greatly underrated his bravery.
I know it’s a word thing for me and understand what you meant. And agree that he should get more credit for knowing his strengths and riding accordingly
But I don’t think being ballsy/gutsy is the same as bravery. People can enjoy (or even get high) on the former but I define the later as doing something you don’t like or want to do.
Just a word thing.
 
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In the case MVDP has a remote chance at one day fight for a Flèche Wallonne, he should really try it this year, tbh, even if I might have said the opposite a few weeks ago.

No better field than this year should be expected in the coming years. No Pog, Rog, Rem, Ala, if it's not this year, it may never be.

If he wins Amstel, just go for it, I'd say.
 
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In the case MVDP has a remote chance at one day fight for a Flèche Wallonne, he should really try it this year, tbh, even if I might have said the opposite a few weeks ago.

No better field than this year should be expected in the coming years. No Pog, Rog, Rem, Ala, if it's not this year, it may never be.

If he wins Amstel, just go for it, I'd say.
He's looking at a bigger picture. Fleche is not a game changer for him, but Liege is.
 
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Vdp goal is pretty clear he wanne win all monuments. I do believe this year is a feeler for him in regards to Liege if its deemed possible to win with or without Pog on the start.

Lombardia is like MSR is for Pog(tho pog is closer in MSR than i believe VdP would be in Lombardia), just dont suit him at all and hard to see him ever beeing close but nevertheless the guy is freakishly strong so wouldnt put anything past him
 
The problem for MvdP is modern Lombardia and Liege routes, in addition to Pogacar and to a lesser extent Evenepoel being around. 2014 meta and 2014 Liege/Lombardia routes I think he wins both, but that's always transfering people between eras which is pointless too
I agree just like MSR is for pog its far from ideal routes for Vdp. But with luck i wouldnt put it past him if evenpoel and pog was to not ride it a year and he prepared and trained for it then maby kinda thing.

But totally agree its hard to imagine but ive seen him on several ocasion say out loud what clearly is the goal atleast. Lombardia much harder for him for me, Liege without Pog I would been very eagerly to watch him vs Evenpoel for instance. To watch that unfold if not anything im not sure who i would put my hat on, logic says Evenpoel but I would want to see it kinda thing, this new Vdp level is hard to grasp too how strong he is i think.
 
The problem for MvdP is modern Lombardia and Liege routes, in addition to Pogacar and to a lesser extent Evenepoel being around. 2014 meta and 2014 Liege/Lombardia routes I think he wins both, but that's always transfering people between eras which is pointless too

He should have done the races there, he was a cyclist at the time, and a world champion too.
 
Good MVDP deep cut - winning that brutal stage at T-A in 2020 when he chased down Fabro on the final climb. Finally found some form coming out of the covid break. Great commentating too. Not sure which guy that is but he's the best IMO.