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

[ChewbaccaDefense]

What would you want to see from MVDP at Tirreno that would convince you that he can give Pogacar a battle at MSR and RVV? Winning 2 or 3 stages and competing for GC? That, to me, would be a sign of a rider not marshalling his resources correctly, or having mistimed his peak.

Yes, winning a stage or two, particularly because he indicated that is why he was there. The closest he came was a 2nd in a field sprint. Ganna was able to chase him down after one of his attacks, and when he bridged to Pidcock after one of Pidcocks attacks, he didn't appear to be able to keep going. Those things don't give me confidence that he can withstand an attack by Pogacar, and even if he withstands an initial attacke, Pogacar will drop him later anyway.

Like I said, I could be wrong, but everything I have seen from Pogacar in the last year, suggests to me that he has reached a completely different level that any cyclist who has ever been a pro, even past a freak of nature like MVDP. I truly believe that in the coming races in which Pogacar is racing, there will be a point where he just destroys everyone, and goes it alone to the finish. Maybe not, and certainly descending the Poggio will be a challenge for him, if he is not alone at that point, but I still think he might have enough to get away on the flat. Pogacar clearly has an ability to maintain power after sustained effort, more than any rider I have ever seen. I think that factor is still improving in him.

I'm geniunely mystified why this opinion has caused so much conseternation? If I'm wrong and MVDP wins, so be it. But everybody here is pontificating on what MVDP will do this spring, I have a different opinion, so evidently, that means I've never watched a cycling race before, and don't understand the dynamics of professional cycling sufficienty to have that opinion. I certainly don't have anyone who agrees with me, apparently. If I'm wrong, I'm sure that people will want to see me eat a humble pie, but I won't because I have no issue being wrong about anything. If I hadn't been wrong on may occasions and learned from that, I wouldn't be as good at what I do for a living as I am, and I am pretty damn good at it.

You guys take this way too seriously. All this is just a diversion for me. I have no ego or need to be right, wrapped up in this. It's just a thing I enjoy watching, and I have opinions about things that relate to that. In real life, I have strong opinions about the things that garner my attention, and in which I am interested, but I am always open to being wrong and learning differently.

 

[jono]

Yes, winning a stage or two, particularly because he indicated that is why he was there. The closest he came was a 2nd in a field sprint. Ganna was able to chase him down after one of his attacks, and when he bridged to Pidcock after one of Pidcocks attacks, he didn't appear to be able to keep going. Those things don't give me confidence that he can withstand an attack by Pogacar, and even if he withstands an initial attacke, Pogacar will drop him later anyway.

Like I said, I could be wrong, but everything I have seen from Pogacar in the last year, suggests to me that he has reached a completely different level that any cyclist who has ever been a pro, even past a freak of nature like MVDP. I truly believe that in the coming races in which Pogacar is racing, there will be a point where he just destroys everyone, and goes it alone to the finish. Maybe not, and certainly descending the Poggio will be a challenge for him, if he is not alone at that point, but I still think he might have enough to get away on the flat. Pogacar clearly has an ability to maintain power after sustained effort, more than any rider I have ever seen. I think that factor is still improving in him.

I'm geniunely mystified why this opinion has caused so much conseternation? If I'm wrong and MVDP wins, so be it. But everybody here is pontificating on what MVDP will do this spring, I have a different opinion, so evidently, that means I've never watched a cycling race before, and don't understand the dynamics of professional cycling sufficienty to have that opinion. I certainly don't have anyone who agrees with me, apparently. If I'm wrong, I'm sure that people will want to see me eat a humble pie, but I won't because I have no issue being wrong about anything. If I hadn't been wrong on may occasions and learned from that, I wouldn't be as good at what I do for a living as I am, and I am pretty damn good at it.

You guys take this sh!t way too seriously. All this sh!t is just a diversion for me. I have no ego or need to be right, wrapped up in this. It's just a thing I enjoy watching, and I have opinions about things that relate to that. In real life, I have strong opinions about the things that garner my attention, and in which I am interested, but I am always open to being wrong and learning differently.

You do you.

I think you've heard this from me and others before. Pogacar may be ready to ascend to a level never before seen. I haven't watched much of him this season because I don't care for desert races so I won't offer any opinion if he is trending that way.


As for MVDP I believe he's at Tirreno for the same reason as ever: to prepare for his spring. The one time he truly tried to compete he went too deep and clearly compromised his early season (2021). He probably did hope to win a stage this year, but even if he doesn't really care he's not going to do an interview and outright say he's treating it as a training race.

But whether or not MVDP is on track to be as good as 2024, if Pogacar is on some astral plane of form it doesn't matter. Even if van der Poel matches last year's level and Pogacar doesn't ascend it would be surprising if he matches last spring's results (2 monument wins and setting up his teammate for another by being the strongest rider in the finale). There are simply too many moving parts.

I think this is as clear as I can be and I don't see this as at all disrespecting anyone's ability to watch and evaluate a race or rider.

 

[dazaau]

IMHO MVP will have his worst season this year. Despite being the favourite for MSR, I don't think he will win it.
RVV, he is facing Pogacar again and in PR WVA will not have bad luck forever.

It will be hard to beat the last period.

I think he will be in great shape, but I also think MSR is a bit of a lottery and despite being a big MVDP fan I think Pog has the upper hand in RVV.

At least MSR and RVV will be exciting. Classic's excitement is getting rare these days and Pog will have real competition.

I hope Pogacar rides Roubaix for similar reasons, his presence will make the race more exciting. Wout doesn't seem to have it this year yet, we will see.

But all I'm saying is MVDP could be as good or better than last year and it could still be a mediocre classics results sheet. But I hope it's at least going to be great TV. I would be surprised if it were his worst season ever.

 

[dazaau]

Yes, winning a stage or two, particularly because he indicated that is why he was there. The closest he came was a 2nd in a field sprint. Ganna was able to chase him down after one of his attacks, and when he bridged to Pidcock after one of Pidcocks attacks, he didn't appear to be able to keep going. Those things don't give me confidence that he can withstand an attack by Pogacar, and even if he withstands an initial attacke, Pogacar will drop him later anyway.

Like I said, I could be wrong, but everything I have seen from Pogacar in the last year, suggests to me that he has reached a completely different level that any cyclist who has ever been a pro, even past a freak of nature like MVDP. I truly believe that in the coming races in which Pogacar is racing, there will be a point where he just destroys everyone, and goes it alone to the finish. Maybe not, and certainly descending the Poggio will be a challenge for him, if he is not alone at that point, but I still think he might have enough to get away on the flat. Pogacar clearly has an ability to maintain power after sustained effort, more than any rider I have ever seen. I think that factor is still improving in him.

I'm geniunely mystified why this opinion has caused so much conseternation? If I'm wrong and MVDP wins, so be it. But everybody here is pontificating on what MVDP will do this spring, I have a different opinion, so evidently, that means I've never watched a cycling race before, and don't understand the dynamics of professional cycling sufficienty to have that opinion. I certainly don't have anyone who agrees with me, apparently. If I'm wrong, I'm sure that people will want to see me eat a humble pie, but I won't because I have no issue being wrong about anything. If I hadn't been wrong on may occasions and learned from that, I wouldn't be as good at what I do for a living as I am, and I am pretty damn good at it.

You guys take this sh!t way too seriously. All this sh!t is just a diversion for me. I have no ego or need to be right, wrapped up in this. It's just a thing I enjoy watching, and I have opinions about things that relate to that. In real life, I have strong opinions about the things that garner my attention, and in which I am interested, but I am always open to being wrong and learning differently.

You do you.

He is there to train and get race ready.

The course doesn't really suit him and the team has few other prospects for success in this race - so what did you expect him to say?

So let's see. I believe last season @scribers famously pronounced he would eat his hat if MVDP did well at RVV. Perhaps you would also like to make a similar proclamation to make it more entertaining

 

[ChewbaccaDefense]

I think you've heard this from me and others before. Pogacar may be ready to ascend to a level never before seen. I haven't watched much of him this season because I don't care for desert races so I won't offer any opinion if he is trending that way.


As for MVDP I believe he's at Tirreno for the same reason as ever: to prepare for his spring. The one time he truly tried to compete he went too deep and clearly compromised his early season (2021). He probably did hope to win a stage this year, but even if he doesn't really care he's not going to do an interview and outright say he's treating it as a training race.

But regardless if MVDP is on track to be as good as 2024, if Pogacar is on some astral plane of form it doesn't matter. Even if van der Poel matches last year's level it would be surprising if he matches its results (2 monument wins and setting up his teammate for another by being the strongest rider in the finale).

I think this is as clear as I can be and I don't see this as at all disrespecting anyone's ability to watch and evaluate a race or rider.

When I looked back, you haven't been disrespectful at all. Sorry you got caught in my shotgun blast.

 

[ChewbaccaDefense]

He is there to train and get race ready.

The course doesn't really suit him and the team has few other prospects for success in this race - so what did you expect him to say?

So let's see. I believe last season @scribers famously pronounced he would eat his hat if MVDP did well at RVV. Perhaps you would also like to make a similar proclamation to make it more entertaining

I don't gamble in any way (I actually detest the gambling entitysponsorships of teams, not saying you asking me to eat my hat is in any way like that), but I will say that I do think Pog takes RVV handily, barring crash or major mechanical, and I still give him a better shot than average if he had one or both of those things happen.

I am one who actually doen't think Pog should ride P-R this year.

 

[jono]

I don't gamble in any way (I actually detest the gambling entitysponsorships of teams, not saying you asking me to eat my hat is in any way like that), but I will say that I do think Pog takes RVV handily, barring crash or major mechanical, and I still give him a better shot than average if he had one or both of those things happen.

I am one who actually doen't think Pog should ride P-R this year.

I think team strength will be a major factor at RVV, and since Pogacar is a bit stronger than MVDP on that terrain Alpecin will have to be stronger than UAE. Alpecin were the strongest in that race last year and by far the strongest group at Roubaix, but those team performances may be tough to duplicate.

 

[DaLong]

MvdP is a superior racer to Pogacar (see RvV 22) and I think that’ll bite Tadej a few more times in his career, including this year. Mathieu always has something up his sleeve.

 

[AmRacer]

MvdP is a superior racer to Pogacar (see RvV 22) and I think that’ll bite Tadej a few more times in his career, including this year. Mathieu always has something up his sleeve.

It's 2025 now.

 

[Berniece]

It's 2025 now.

And they haven’t raced properly against each other besides MSR ‘24. In races where Pogacar isn’t the clear favourite that is.

 

[AmRacer]

And they haven’t raced properly against each other besides MSR ‘24. In races where Pogacar isn’t the clear favourite that is.

And they haven't raced properly against each other in races where Mathieu is the clear favourite.

 

[Berniece]

And they haven't raced properly against each other in races where Mathieu is the clear favourite.

Indeed, so we look to previous results.

 

[AmRacer]

Indeed, so we look to previous results.

Which says nothing.

 

[DaLong]

Which says nothing.

Except that MvdP is a superior racer and that Pogacar has a superior watt/kg.

 

[AmRacer]

Except that MvdP is a superior racer and that Pogacar has a superior watt/kg.

1. 🤔
2. ✅️

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

all I say to chewbacca is, disregard Mathieu at your own peril. Pogi is an alien, but MVDP is closest to him in classics and a true racer who knows how to win monuments.

 

[DutchDynamite]

lets fcking go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Ilmaestro99]

the best classics rider I have ever seen

 

[Peyroteo94]

Congrats beast!
7-7 against Pogacar.

 

[Eddy Evenepoel]

Not surprised at all. What a king.

 

[tobydawq]

Champion.

 

[skippo12]

On another level when it comes to race instincts. Timing of the attack on the Poggio was perfect but he obviously isn't going to drop Pog uphill. Did just enough work to keep Pog honest on the flat. Caught Ganna and Pog off guard when he started the sprint.

 

[kingjr]

Brilliant stuff. Flawless.

 

[Berniece]

Best 1 day racer in the peloton

 

[Didinho]

Insane efforts today. The acceleration in the sprint was impressive.

Palmares keeps growing. They’re lucky he only started the road/classics late.