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

[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]

Dont even bother its a complete waste of time with that one on pogi

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.

 

[jmdirt]

Get ready for the big stones MvdP!

 

[vappa]

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

 

[Red Rick]

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

 

[Salvarani]

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.

 

[vappa]

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

 

[Red Rick]

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.

 

[TrekCyclist]

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

 

[Salvarani]

There is a common tactic which is called "neutralizing an attack" as I remember

Usually you are doing it for a teammate in that case. It doesnt make much sense to expand the energy or effort otherwise in this race.

 

[vappa]

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.

If he doesn't pull after Cipressa they're getting caught

 

[Red Rick]

If he doesn't pull after Cipressa they're getting caught

After which you take a breather, and then just drop all the chumps on the Poggio as per usual.

 

[canina82]

Dont even bother its a complete waste of time with that one on pogi

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.