Fair enough. I prefer the the big one day races along with elite MTB and CX. Watch the GT's, but don't find the GC action particularly exciting. TT's are boring to watch and watching guys so skinny that they are borderline unhealthy go up mountains isn't much better. Certainly admire the physical and mental talent and toughness it takes to win a GT, but I'll take MVDP skillset on the bike (any kind of bike) any day over GG guys. Especially guys like VGG who literally look like skeletons out there. Love Pogi, especially since he's the one guy in the world who can match MVDP in terms of pure talent and racing style.
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- Jan 7, 2017
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It's not just fans - a lot of the media are the same. Yes Pogi is a generational talent - but so is MvdP - and while GTs are never going to be his thing, I think people forget he's the current (and 7 times) CX World champion, the current Gravel World champion, has been European XCO Champion. And is not without a chance of winning an XCC/XCO World title.....and still has the most XCC World Cup wins, despite not racing in one since May 2021.
- Sep 14, 2009
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Ridiculously fun finale to watch in MSR! Matthieu riding a really smart and strong race, and really had everyone's number on the Poggio.
Ganna was something else clawing back time and again though.
great race
Ganna was something else clawing back time and again though.
great race
Interesting that Pogi is dropping E3 and GW to go "all in" on RVV and PR. Funny that he's the one guy (not the fans, not the media) that truly understands what he is up against versus a 100% healthy, on-form MVDP. Let's hope they both make it to those races ready to go. Will be interesting to see if Wout can give MVDP a good battle this Friday. Would be good to see him back in the mix.
- Sep 12, 2022
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Doubt it'll be a good battle. I do expect him in De Ronde and Roubaix, but last year he wasn't good in his first race after altitude. Which happens more often than not for some riders.
I'm still not sure how last year’s E3 ends if he doesn't crash.
James M
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- Jun 17, 2024
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I used to love Boonen and Contador—both exceptionally talented, to the point of being very rare talents. They also rode with panache and were extremely aggressive in big races.
To me, MvdP is just Boonen on steroids. I'm looking forward to another stellar performance from this freak of nature. By his own words, he's better than ever, and that says something. This guy's peak performances are among the highest we've seen. Im expecting a show.
To me, MvdP is just Boonen on steroids. I'm looking forward to another stellar performance from this freak of nature. By his own words, he's better than ever, and that says something. This guy's peak performances are among the highest we've seen. Im expecting a show.
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- Jan 10, 2019
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Another impressive solo done. Now he just needs to hang on on the Kwaremont and don't waste too much energy to hold of others. Just focus to be as fresh as possible on the last ascent. Form is good, hope he can win against Pogi mano a mano next week.
- Jan 29, 2021
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What a monster.
Unless he is got some bad luck, i think he will be unbeatable on PR and Flandres.
Unless he is got some bad luck, i think he will be unbeatable on PR and Flandres.
- Jan 10, 2019
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Would be insane if he can one up his best classics campaign with the triple.
Red Rick
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- Feb 20, 2012
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Boonen wasn't remotely similar. He was much, much weaker on even short hills and he would be relegated to only competing for Roubaix in the modern day.
- Sep 16, 2021
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Huh? He was literally the big favorite before the race. Some people only said it was gonna be somewhat more difficult without Pogi because the onus to chase attacks is gonna fall on Alpecin only and their team in the race was kinda meh. I didn't see anything about people saying that he isn't gonna win without Pogi in the race.Dominant!
Several teams tried to take advantage of an early race situation, and the phrase "F around and find out" comes to mind.
Strange that he won since according to some he can't win without TP in the race!
- Nov 16, 2013
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He must be fuming that the next five World Championships are designed for him - the guy who should be perfect for an average WCRR route - to not have much of a chance.
James M
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- Jun 17, 2024
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Neither was Contador to MvdP. I just generalized and highlighted that their talent was extraordinary, as well as how they rode and tackled big races, which made me a fan.
And obviously, I agree with you that Boonen was much, much weaker on shorter hills than MvdP—hence the steroid part. I agree with the other part about modern day too obviously. It's almost like I said before the season: for instance, if you put WVA in any other era, he would have won a cobble monument by now.
- Sep 12, 2022
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Think so too, was looking amazing today and the race wasn’t even that hard.
- Sep 6, 2022
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Exactly. Let Pogo do all the work as everyone is regarding him as the out and out favourite. I believe if Matthieu plays his cards well he can smoke teddy (at the latest in the sprint).
- Mar 13, 2009
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not at all, makes it easier for him to just go for the World MTB. The missing piece in his trophy case
- Nov 16, 2013
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Pff, thanks for reminding me why I'm not a whole-hearted fan (apart from his tendency to ruin suspense).
- Apr 6, 2023
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If by unbeatable you mean hanging on to pogacar for dear life on the Oude Kwaremont and hope for the best, than I agree with you.
His cards for PR (bad luck notwithstanding) seem very good tho although I still hope that we finally get to see the battle to the finishline with WVA that was promised to us in 2023. Wout needs to overcome his fears though..
also with Paris Roubaix there is Philipsen again who was riding good on cobbles earlier and there's is the risk that, unless MvdP attacks from far out, he becomes a victim of teamtactics like in MSR.
- Jan 29, 2021
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He will not get dropped by pogacar in Flandres if he doesn't spend unnecessary energy during the race.
- Jun 6, 2017
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Let me say like this, he's not unbeatable in RVV, but he's not going to be beaten.
- Mar 28, 2025
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- Jul 15, 2021
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Well that's an entirely different point of view, a valid one at least. Not that I agree: I still think Pog in his current form will beat him in RVV.
But I'm pretty convinced he won't be beat by Pog at PR. Ever, actually.*
*unless he also gets a lifetime contract an keeps racing untill he's 45
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