As others have pointed out, he has said this multiple times, when it’s actually the case. I think Pogacar would’ve won Flèche anyway, and Evenepoel would’ve acknowledged that if he had the chance to give his all. Which he didn’t due to the cold, and his own mistakes.
I do think I added that last sentence though. He never said Pogacar would’ve won anyway, because we don’t know. I do think that was the most likely outcome.
Kinda strange to think this was from PN last year. Obviously this is probably at thestart of the race or after washing up. Cause I remember Remco & co looking all grimy
They'll probably be like: "Well if he's warm, he's warm *shrug-shoulders*". A lot of riders would just open their jacket if it was too warm when climbing, and close it when it's getting cold on descent or flat sections.
So the only reason he got back in AGR was because Pogacar was still recovering from PR?
I don't think Pogacar put in more effort compared to Evenepoel that day. Which is why I asked if you think it's mostly due to PR. It was a genuine question. Because then the idea is that if PR is out of his system, he should be stronger in Liege than he was in AGR, and thus has a higher probability of winning again.
Agree. During the race he looked great to me, his positioning was spot on the whole day; I thought he was really going to be able to bring it at the end to be honest (even though it is not terrain which suits him.) He wouldn't be the first rider who felt fine in that kind of weather, right up until the instant it was lights out.
Dirk De Wolf, winner of LBL '92 says: "Ik denk dat ze al zullen vertrekken op de Côte de Desnié, zo'n 10 kilometer voor La Redoute."
There are 2 issues. If journalists/people just want to hear the rivals toot the winners horn, or hear about how great the winner is, how strong he was, then they should just go interview the winner or his teammates. When they are asking someone else how HIS (or her) race went, why shouldn't (s)he be able to respond to that? I personally don't think "the loser" should even mention the winner unless asked directly or unless it is relevant to his own story. I never understand how people want to hear forced false modesty or self-mortification about how much better their big rival was. What's the point. Did Pogacar say Skjelmose was the strongest in Amstel? (Which would be idiotic). Or just that he was a deserved winner? Because why should he say the former if he didn't feel like that was the case? Which we all know.
That's because QS still haven't figured out how weight plays a role uphill.
Other riders seem to struggle far less with that.
This was very pleasant reading here! People need to remember that these are athletes, not your neighbor. I've never understood when people criticize him for being self-centered or having faith in himself. Pogacar has it too; he’s just not as outspoken in the media about it in the same manner at least right after finish. Or any other good athlete for that matter is the same. From a sporting perspective, there’s nothing wrong with it at all—I’ve never understood the scrutiny there, you want that. Imagine if he said the opposite, what is he doing at that point indeed.
If it's too much to ask from a pro athlete then maybe he should start to target different races, like the Flemish classics instead of the Ardennes. He became WCC in spectacular fashion shortly after riding the Vuelta. He became Olympic champion shortly after riding the Tour. His weight was a big reason. If he wants to take the fight to Pog in Liège and Lombardia weighing 64, i can tell you now how that will end 9 times out of 10.
Well maybe if Pogacar and UAE decide to wait it out. Small chance but stranger things have happened. That or Van Wilder has a crazy good day.
He's specifically saying not to make the race hard. If Pog/UAE decide to wait, that means Pog is not feeling it and you just wasted your best chance to hurt him.
It’s maybe very difficult for him to achieve that, and would ask too much from him mentally. He doesn’t have the same build as Pogacar or Vingegaard
Or Pogacar just decided to play mindgames for no reason at all. I dunno. don't matter. This situation won't happen unless Van Wilder has a crazy day. Evenepoel sounding quietly confident ahead of the race. Hopefully we'll get another spectactle like amstel gold.
To do what exactly? Set up Remco for an attack on RaF? Or is the idea to have Remco as fresh as possible when Pog attacks on RaF hoping Remco can minimize the gap and later catch Pog and win the sprint? Well, that's a strategy I guess, but a risky one unless Remco knows something we don't. A fresh Remco ahead of RaF is also a fresh Pog, and most think Pog can distance Remco with at least 10s on RaF.
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