Flat section is long enough that it should favor Evenepoel on the circuit as a whole. Shouldn't be any long solo shenanigans for Pogacar.
Do you think he feels these efforts a week later? Obviously there was PR that he felt in AGR, but not sure he will feel WC at UEC or UEC at Lombardia even if he goes all out.I'm not expecting a long solo either, the race should be more tight, maybe Pog vs Evenepoel sprint indeed. Plus no need to cook himself one week after Rwanda solo and one week before Lombardy (which remains a top goal).
Do you think he feels these efforts a week later? Obviously there was PR that he felt in AGR, but not sure he will feel WC at UEC or UEC at Lombardia even if he goes all out.
Could be that WC RR + UEC RR will be his bloc. WC RR was indeed already a monster effort. If the others make it hard, maybe UEC RR will be too. But it won't matter for Lombardia I think because everyone that has a shot at Lombardia (besides Roglic) is probably riding UEC RR too. So it's going to be hard for everyone, and everyone will suffer, and everyone will recover the same. So Pogacar should still be the heavy favourite. He can just ride away on Passo di Ganda, take 30-60s on the top, and cruise home safely.I don't know. Flandres + Roubaix was a monster effort as he was riding those races a bloc. In Africa there was only one long race but the conditions were difficult so maybe it was more energy sapping than a standard monument. I would say he should go a bit easier at the EC (short-range attack, maybe a sprint vs Remco or Vingo) and then obviously hit hard in Lombardy (history can be made there: 5th consecutive win and 10th monument).
Could be that WC RR + UEC RR will be his bloc. WC RR was indeed already a monster effort. If the others make it hard, maybe UEC RR will be too. But it won't matter for Lombardia I think because everyone that has a shot at Lombardia (besides Roglic) is probably riding UEC RR too. So it's going to be hard for everyone, and everyone will suffer, and everyone will recover the same. So Pogacar should still be the heavy favourite. He can just ride away on Passo di Ganda, take 30-60s on the top, and cruise home safely.
I first want to see if he's able to drop Evenepoel on Saint Romain de Lerps. I keep my believe that Evenepoel would not have dropped on Mount Kigali without the saddle issues. Maybe later, but not on Mount Kigali.Lombardia is the easiest monument for Pogacar to win, even in mediocre form he managed to win it. Plus he has the team to make it hard.
As for the EC he may be tempted for another yolo attack with 70 kms to go or maybe Vingegaard will attack there and provoke Pog to react. Still, there's plenty of flat kilometers later and Evenepoel in his current form can catch up. Maybe better to save shots for the last two rounds.
I first want to see if he's able to drop Evenepoel on Saint Romain de Lerps. I keep my believe that Evenepoel would not have dropped on Mount Kigali without the saddle issues. Maybe later, but not on Mount Kigali.
When has Pogacar ever underperformed in a big target race no matter fatigue? Tokyo is literally the only time. And he got 3rd in that one.I don't know. Flandres + Roubaix was a monster effort as he was riding those races a bloc. In Africa there was only one long race but the conditions were difficult so maybe it was more energy sapping than a standard monument. I would say he should go a bit easier at the EC (short-range attack, maybe a sprint vs Remco or Vingo) and then obviously hit hard in Lombardy (history can be made there: 5th consecutive win and 10th monument).
I don't know how much more Pogacar had left when he went. I only know that Evenepoel would be able to follow the attack he actually did on Mount Kigali, in normal circumstances.The climb is a w/kg test. I think he could drop anyone there (maybe except peak Vingegaard) if he wanted but does it make sense for the rest of the race? I'm not sure he wanted to drop everyone on Mont Kigali (maybe just wanted to make it very hard and counted for some cooperation in a small group) and according to his own words he didn't expect to be solo so early.
When has Pogacar ever underperformed in a big target race no matter fatigue? Tokyo is literally the only time. And he got 3rd in that one.
It wasn't an out attack. He just increased the pace and only Ayuso and Toro could follow.I don't know how much more Pogacar had left when he went. I only know that Evenepoel would be able to follow the attack he actually did on Mount Kigali, in normal circumstances.
When it comes to UEC RR. I doubt Pogacar will go all out on Saint Romain de Lerps if he thinks he would be solo. Because like you said, a lot of flat sections, and 70km's from the top is a long way to go. So he might just accelerate to get a decent group with him.
No. Maybe during UEC RR we get the race that was stolen from us during the WC RR
How many times have you seen Evenepoel do a sustained effort on his pedals? He isn't Contador. Did he need to ride 5km's standing up? He started on his saddle probably hoping it would be fine, but once more effort need to be made he got cramps. Which means there's even less chance to stand up on your pedals.@Berniece why do you think he continued seated on Mount Kigali, given his saddle issues and the fact that everyone else around him was out of the saddle? It’s tough to make sense of that.
Not at all. I’m saying that he might have magnified a small issue, spiraled out of mental control, and made poor decisions that caused the issue to have a significantly bigger impact than it should have. I remember watching Pinot go to pieces in the Tour in the mid 2010s and screaming at the tv because he was blowing his chances out of frustration (I was cheering for him), and I think something similar happened. Watch at 104km to go. Seems like he should have stood up there and pushed to the top like others vs stay in an uncomfortable position.How many times have you seen Evenepoel do a sustained effort on his pedals? He isn't Contador. Did he need to ride 5km's standing up? He started on his saddle probably hoping it would be fine, but once more effort need to be made he got cramps. Which means there's even less chance to stand up on your pedals.
Are you saying all of it was made up and there were really 40 riders that were just better on that part of the climb?
All of them. No bronze medalist. 😆It would have been funny to see them lapping most of the peloton
2021 Euros (got dropped by Remco and Colbrelli)When has Pogacar ever underperformed in a big target race no matter fatigue? Tokyo is literally the only time. And he got 3rd in that one.
I think the first time it was completely justified, and not a mental issue. The second time though, after changing bikes. That was a combination of mentally thinking there's an issue when there isn't combined with not giving his body enough time to adjust. Then he exploded.Not at all. I’m saying that he might have magnified a small issue, spiraled out of mental control, and made poor decisions that caused the issue to have a significantly bigger impact than it should have. Watch at 104km to go. Seems like he should have stood up there and pushed to the top like others vs stay in an uncomfortable position.
Also, I was just thinking about AGR and LBL. The difference? The first has many short punchy climbs; the second has longer, tougher climbs. Remco did much better of AGR than on LBL. On the big climb he was 20th or so over the top. AGR he was a world beater. Worlds? Over the circuits with short climbs he was a world beater; over Mt. Kigali he crossed the line 20th or so wheel…
Another 100 posts sorting out Remco's reactions to his loss? He should be able to win it and that situation isn't lightening the self-pressure that undoes some of his best days.
Or just be able to follow Pogacar, cook him on the flat sections and win the sprint?the only way for remco to win the euro RR would be to use the strength of the Belgian team (have other Belgians ahead, forcing Pog to make choices as to when he chases.
it would also require remco to think like a lesser rider for once, not let his ego make him act as if he were co-favorite. do not make your team work, unless it is to put someone ahead, and don't relay pog if you end up in a small group with him. unfortunately his ego (for both good and bad) will not let him act that way.
Maybe Pogi just marking Remco and letting another Belgian win.the only way for remco to win the euro RR would be to use the strength of the Belgian team (have other Belgians ahead, forcing Pog to make choices as to when he chases.
it would also require remco to think like a lesser rider for once, not let his ego make him act as if he were co-favorite. do not make your team work, unless it is to put someone ahead, and don't relay pog if you end up in a small group with him. unfortunately his ego (for both good and bad) will not let him act that way.
None of that will happen.Or just be able to follow Pogacar, cook him on the flat sections and win the sprint?