Pog to ride P-R

[No Ta Doctor]

I don't think he'll be riding it this year expecting to win (subject to all the usual Pog caveats)
It is such a different race that you need some experience before attempting to win it

To be fair, that's pretty much exactly what we said about Flanders and we know what happened there.

 

[Pblakeney]

This was my immediate thought.

That's bad news for you, as I'm an idiot, so it's probably cobblers.

Apt. 😉

 

[TakeTheHighRoad]

To be fair, that's pretty much exactly what we said about Flanders and we know what happened there.

Well that's what I mean by "the usual Pog caveats"
You expect he won't be going to win, and then inevitably he will be in the leading group in the velodrome

 

[stage hunter]

To be fair, that's pretty much exactly what we said about Flanders and we know what happened there.

He didnt win the first time did he?

 

[No Ta Doctor]

He didnt win the first time did he?

For some reason I thought he did, but he was 4th in '22

 

[TakeTheHighRoad]

In 2022 he tried dropping MVDP on the Paterberg, couldn't, and then didn't work with him and they got caught by Madouas and van Baarle

Strangely, I think Pog riding will improve MVDP's chances of winning PR

 

[phreak]

I wonder if the wider tyres etc. have made the race safer in terms of crashes?

 

[Jameshow]

I'm not particularly sure what the motive for Pogacar is in turning up to PR this year. We know he's a pure racer and he'll look to try his hand at every race, which is fair enough I guess, but is that it? What I can't fathom is that both he and his team aren't stupid, they know they couldn't distance MVDP at MSR and in theory that should be even harder in Roubaix. Not to mention Ganna is in good form and with Van Aert to return as well. One thing is for sure, it won't be boring!

Because I'm watching it with my 88yo dad so I'm well pleased!👍

 

[M.R.M]

I don't think he'll be riding it this year expecting to win (subject to all the usual Pog caveats)
It is such a different race that you need some experience before attempting to win it

I agree, but there may also just be the possibility that we are overthinking it. He may simply think, he can win everything with the right amount of luck and he just has to do the race, do his thing and see if it's enough to win. Quite simply like the Hulk on his handlebar. Show up, pedal hard and see what happens. Hulk smash.

 

[M.R.M]

In 2022 he tried dropping MVDP on the Paterberg, couldn't, and then didn't work with him and they got caught by Madouas and van Baarle

Strangely, I think Pog riding will improve MVDP's chances of winning PR

No not exactly, MvdP stalled just before the sprint intentionally for such a long time and timed his sprint so perfectly that Pogacar got swamped by van Baarle & Madouas. It was definitely intentional by MvdP and pretty much the best execution of finish line tactics I've ever seen. Pogacar got 4th in a 2 up sprint (and he got blocked by the chasers and couldn't sprint fully).

I wonder if that is a benefit of racing and winning such races from a very early age, because MvdP pretty much often or always employs some thought into his actions towards the finish line.
He jumped WVA in the CX WC's 3 years ago with an early sprint after the final corner before he was ready and had a distinct plan this year at MSR as well. There have also been plenty of smaller races where he is in the final much reduced selection and doesn't chase every move and actually gets others to chase, before pouncing perfectly to sprint to victory.

 

[Animo]

I didn't really believe Pog could drop MvdP on a cobbled climb until he did to win Flanders so not ruling anything out.

 

[matticus]

I agree, but there may also just be the possibility that we are overthinking it. He may simply think, he can win everything with the right amount of luck and he just has to do the race, do his thing and see if it's enough to win.

Yes.
And also; it's hardly unusual for pro riders to enter something with only a small chance of winning. That is bike racing!

 

[No Ta Doctor]

If you didn't go to a race because there was one single rider that you thought you couldn't drop and then he got a puncture or slid out on a corner you'd feel a bit of a fool, wouldn't you?