Saw him in training ride today here down in Spain, looked fresh and snappy tbo and trimmed light too. Dunno if he's at the altitude room hotel nearby maybe.
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Sayeth the snarky, self-appointed judge of zero consequence. Discouragement is built into the legal constraints and fostered through civic education. But you can't prevent crazy. The gesture was terribile, but fortunately without incident, and likely betrays some form of mental issue. She needs therapy, not a jail sentence.No, it's not just about punishment, but also discouragement. Even a pyscopath may alter their behavior if they believe it to be in their best interest.
Also this is a bike forum, if you want to virtue signal go on X.
Liege is among the least tactical monuments.What is his team’s actual plan going to be? Shredding the race apart has worked perfectly when he’s been the strongest but the exact opposite seems to be necessary this time around. Just try to hang on and hope for dear life when Pogacar attacks? Or can something fancy be done tactically?
The problem could be if Hirschi, Almeida or even Ulissi are feeling frisky and go with attacks. Then Pogacar just has to sit and wait for Mvdp to cover. This is assuming that Alpecin won't be able to cover with SKA and Hermans.Exactly. He doesn't need a team here much. The key is Pogacar, when and where he will go. Maybe he will want to imitate Merckx and attack on Stockeau. The more he waits, Van Der Poel's chances are better.
I don’t think they can. They are only there to ride for him, not for tactical play. At least that’s what I hope. Just ride like SOQ did last yearThe problem could be if Hirschi, Almeida or even Ulissi are feeling frisky and go with attacks. Then Pogacar just has to sit and wait for Mvdp to cover. This is assuming that Alpecin won't be able to cover with SKA and Hermans.
I wonder if they should "tactically" drop every time UAE starts pacing hard and then chase hard on the decent and flat and hope for everything to come back together and repeat this till La Redoute. Probably doesn't work like that, but if it would, he could save his legs a bit.Liege is among the least tactical monuments.
If we think they should race to MvdPs strength here, I'd say go hard in the easier, tailwind section in the first hours to put fatigue in everyone's legs.
Worlds aren't Liege difficulty, but it's still a decent test.I have been wondering if this is also to test himself for the upcoming and hillier worlds. That must still be a big goal for him even if the parcours doesn't suit him.
No Remco today.Honestly I feel like he’s going to DNF after seeing how hard it is on top of the cold. Now if he 100% focuses on LBL like RVV and PR I think he could win especially if Pogacar and Evenepoel look at each other.
I’m aware and he’s still not going to come close to winning it this year. He’s had a long peak this season and UAE will make this race hard af.No Remco today.
We shall see soon.He'll be fine.
He lives in Belgium, he knows these hills, he has done this race before, he would never start if he thinks he can't be good.
Already on Wanne we will see if UAE is going full gas. The later they start, risk of Van Der Poel being around becomes bigger.We shall see soon.
He really rode it brilliantly.Tactical masterclass
Adrie van der Poel, 1986First one to podium Ronde, Roubaix and Liège since?
I agree with this, he can definitely bring a group back on the flat and out sprint almost anyone. If in form and everything lines up, it’d be interesting seeing him try a long range attack.I'm undecided on what I saw today.
The race did NOT go into his favor at all. And still finished 3rd. He was clearly not even in the top 20 climbers but also never lost much time, except to Pogi. And kept returning to win that sprint.
I think if he truly makes this a goal, skips cross, roubaix and flanders, and Pogi/Evenepoel don't participate, he actually stands a chance. But when Pogi/Evenepoel are there, sorry no.. they are just too good on that kind of course