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

[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.

 

[Ilmaestro99]

mads pederson continues his tradition of not even finishing in the front 3 of the group sprint here. massively overrated

 

[Berniece]

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

Indeed, if he started focusing on road racing earlier he could become 2nd behind Merckx in number of monuments.

 

[KZD]

When I saw Van der Poel attacking at the top of the Poggio I knew he would win unless he did some tactical blunder.

7 monument wins now and one of the best riders that I ever watched. Chapeau!

 

[ChewbaccaDefense]

Chapeau to Mathieu. I still don't like him, and never will, but I won't deny his position in the pantheon of cycling greats.