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

[jono]

He's obviously washed. He's been sh*t all season.

I have to assume you're being sarcastic? He won on the only three race days where he's tried, until today.

 

[Krzysztof_O]

Either he's washed (or hurt from crash and chase) or he was on a bad day. No other way to explain not being able to follow Pidcock.

Maybe just 1% off, as he said in an interview before the race. Some days are better some are a bit worse, it's not always constant level.

 

[Rou]

Either he's washed (or hurt from crash and chase) or he was on a bad day. No other way to explain not being able to follow Pidcock.

They did a Cipressa record after a slower start which means the second part was brutal.
Mvdp's legs were zapped. He is far from washed.

 

[kingjr]

I have to assume you're being sarcastic? He won on the only three race days where he's tried, until today.

Of course I am. "Washed" is one of the worst offenders in terms of overused terms in sports

 

[jono]

They did a Cipressa record after a slower start which means the second part was brutal.
Mvdp's legs were zapped. He is far from washed.

So on a bad day then. If Pidcock is able to hang, then so should a fit Mathieu,

 

[Rou]

So on a bad day then. If Pidcock is able to hang, then so should a fit Mathieu,

No. You are underrating Pidcock.

 

[yaco]

Lots of pressure on MVDP in PR as he will struggle to beat Pogacar at Ronde Vlaanderen.

 

[Berniece]

He crashed, just unlucky

 

[AmRacer]

So on a bad day then. If Pidcock is able to hang, then so should a fit Mathieu,

Was Tadej fit after the crash?

 

[AmRacer]

He crashed, just unlucky

Pogi too

 

[jono]

Was Tadej fit after the crash?

If the crash materially harmed Tadej's capabilities today and he still did what we did, there is no hope for anyone in cycling.

I'm not going to say MVDP's crash was a bigger issue than Pog's. I'm saying he was on a bad day. No other way to explain getting rinsed by Pidcock.

 

[AmRacer]

If the crash materially harmed Tadej's capabilities today and he still did what we did, there is no hope for anyone in cycling.

I'm not going to say MVDP's crash was a bigger issue than Pog's. I'm saying he was on a bad day. No other way to explain getting rinsed by Pidcock.

Pidcock avoided the crash, that's why he could hang on with Pogi. Probably.

 

[Didinho]

He couldn’t move his left hand much and had pain. Just hope he didn’t break something there and he can just go on with his next training weeks and races.

 

[P4rthen0n]

I'm not going to say MVDP's crash was a bigger issue than Pog's. I'm saying he was on a bad day. No other way to explain getting rinsed by Pidcock.

Come on... lets not pretend that Pidcock is not one of the best puncheurs in the peloton and also a very good climber. This dude finished 3rd in last year's Vuelta AND Fleche Wallone.
He's great in short climbs.

 

[Red Rick]

Pogacar: causes crash that injures Van der Poel

Van der Poel: "You have my undying loyalty"

The Pogholm syndrome is real

 

[jono]

Come on... lets not pretend that Pidcock is not one of the best puncheurs in the peloton and also a very good climber. This dude finished 3rd in last year's Vuelta AND Fleche Wallone.
He's great in short climbs.

MVDP has had no issue following any Pog attack for 4 years at MSR. Today he gets ridden out of the wheel while Pidcock follows easily. Either MVDP was poor today for whatever reason or Tadej has made an immense leap. No other possibility remains.

 

[Salvarani]

Pogacar: causes crash that injures Van der Poel

Van der Poel: "You have my undying loyalty"

The Pogholm syndrome is real

Thats great rewriting of history.

 

[AmRacer]

MVDP has had no issue following any Pog attack for 4 years at MSR. Today he gets ridden out of the wheel while Pidcock follows easily. Either MVDP was poor today for whatever reason or Tadej has made an immense leap. No other possibility remains.

Pidcock was the only one who could follow, so what's that saying?
Someday, MVDP must decline. He's older than Pogi.

 

[Salvarani]

MVDP has had no issue following any Pog attack for 4 years at MSR. Today he gets ridden out of the wheel while Pidcock follows easily. Either MVDP was poor today for whatever reason or Tadej has made an immense leap. No other possibility remains.

He did well to follow on Cipressa. Just couldnt follow on Poggio this time. Had to take this own tempo.

I dont think he was poor. Thats pretty harsh saying given the performance he still had imo. It was a great effort that Pog, Pidcock and did on Cipressa. Maybe he wins that sprint again if he would have held on.

 

[AmRacer]

In betwen likely. Pogacar has taken a leap again without a doubt..But likely it cost MvdP alot MvdP that crash (just like it obviously did Pogi but no the point) and Pidcock was fresher and helped him. Its likely something in the middle.

Pidcock is also better than he has ever been

 

[Salvarani]

In betwen likely. Pogacar has taken a leap again without a doubt..But likely it cost MvdP alot MvdP that crash (just like it obviously did Pogi but no the point) and Pidcock was fresher and helped him. Its likely something in the middle.

Dont think it is a huge leap.

Pog is so far trying one year, fine tuning for next year. It is been the story for some of these races. They try and then assess. Go again. For MSR this has been going for a few years.

Speculating, he is maybe one or two kgs heavier compared to last season for this time of the year. It makes some difference and that maybe he had more punch towards the end here, for the sprint. A bit more power.

They also "only" rode Cipressa 2 seconds faster afterall and Pidcock put up a great fight until the very end.

 

[P4rthen0n]

MVDP has had no issue following any Pog attack for 4 years at MSR. Today he gets ridden out of the wheel while Pidcock follows easily. Either MVDP was poor today for whatever reason or Tadej has made an immense leap. No other possibility remains.

No issue? Last year MVDP gave everything he had to stay on Pog's wheel. Everything.
This year Pogacar managed to climb the Cipressa in record time and cooked MVDP. When they got to the Poggio MVDP had nothing else in the tank.

 

[Berniece]

[deleted]

Is every crash the same?

 

[James M]

Dont think it is a huge leap.

Pog is so far trying one year, then fine tuning for next year. It is been the story for some of these races. They try and then assess. Go again.

Speculating, he is maybe one or two kgs heavier compared to last season for this time of the year. It makes some difference and that maybe he had more punch towards the end here, for the sprint. A bit more power.

They also "only" rode Cipressa 2 seconds faster afterall and Pidcock put up a great fight until the very end.

Yeah leap is probably not insane, but considering his level before any increase is detrimental to everyone else literally

Cipressa also lacks context considering the crash and chase to just get back in, where he started and so on. Its more impressive than it is on paper to me in a vaccum.

He undoubtedly looks heavier. As I speculated he will come prepared this year for Roubaix after his ‘student trip’ last year much like his 22 to 23 edition in Flanders.

 

[Salvarani]

No issue? Last year MVDP gave everything he had to stay on Pog's wheel. Everything.
This year Pogacar managed to climb the Cipressa in record time and cooked MVDP. When they got to the Poggio MVDP had nothing else in the tank.

I believe MVDP also said after the finish last season that "you almost had me" or something to that effect.

So that Pog would try again was given here.

Then a lot of things happen in the race.

Pidcock the one that provides the greatest challenge.

No shadow over MVDP imo though.