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

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Oct 15, 2017
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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.
 
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Apr 12, 2025
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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.
 
Jun 17, 2024
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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.
 
Oct 15, 2017
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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.
 
Feb 25, 2026
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Pogacar: causes crash that injures Van der Poel

Van der Poel: "You have my undying loyalty"

The Pogholm syndrome is real
I think MvdP was cooked on top of Cipressa and only worked because there were no other Alpecin riders in the chasing group. If Philipsen was there he would for sure not pull at all
 
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Feb 20, 2012
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I think MvdP was cooked on top of Cipressa and only worked because there were no other Alpecin riders in the chasing group. If Philipsen was there he would for sure not pull at all
There's no reason not to back yourself if it all comes together and you get to recover for a short while
 
Oct 15, 2017
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There's no reason not to back yourself if it all comes together and you get to recover for a short while
MVDP winning a sprint of a reduced bunch with sprinters in it would be very slim.

The most logical is to go with the move you are in, when you are ahead. You still have a chance to win if continuing rather than letting oneself be caught.

Otherwise, it is a mistake to follow the move in the first place.
 
Feb 25, 2026
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There's no reason not to back yourself if it all comes together and you get to recover for a short while
I think he knew he stands no chance against the peloton in a sprint because he was cooked at the top of Cipressa. So either you drop immediately and don't even try to follow and let the group catch it back while you suck wheels or you do what he did
 
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Feb 20, 2012
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I think he knew he stands no chance against the peloton in a sprint because he was cooked at the top of Cipressa. So either you drop immediately and don't even try to follow and let the group catch it back while you suck wheels or you do what he did
If you don't pull at all after the Cipressa, you're gonna be recovered by the time it's time to attack on the Poggio.
 
Jul 27, 2023
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The most logical is to go with the move you are in, when you are ahead. You still have a chance to win if continuing rather than letting oneself be caught.

Otherwise, it is a mistake to follow the move in the first place.
There is a common tactic which is called "neutralizing an attack" as I remember
 
Feb 20, 2012
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Seriously, it's just annoying. They can go to the clinic and talk badly about Pogacar but no, they decide to taunt in every thread.
Not every negative opinion is doping related, and therefor not every negative comment belongs in the Clinic. It's not difficult.
 
Sep 12, 2022
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It's where his haters reunit to talk bad about Pogacar. It's not difficult
Cry me a river. Now we can’t state facts anymore. If you want to get down on your knees and pray to Pogacar, be my guest. Doesn’t mean others have to join you. This isn’t the Pogacar fan forum. It’s a cycling forum. If you don’t like this, you can always leave again for a second time.
 
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