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.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.
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.
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