Breaking down how Tadej Pogačar destroyed all comers to win his fourth consecutive Lombardia and finish off one of the best individual seasons in the history of the sport
Spencer, thanks for a great season of analysis. You can't get the level of detail and insight you provide anywhere else.
Pogacar is indeed one of the best ever but (based on my past comments you know what's coming next), his amazing season is due, in small part, to the reduction of the fields at some races by injuries. My view is that if Wout van Aert had not crashed at the Giro he would have given Pogacar a run for his money at the worlds. Pogacar's TdF rivals, particularly Vingegaard, were not in top form because of crashes in the spring. As for Pogacar's classics dominance, van der Poel won two this year (and has now won rainbow jerseys in three cycling specialties). Here's hoping we see everyone in top form in 2025.
Yes, you are correct that things really fell into place for Pogačar this season. It is very possible that in 2025, he doesn't win a Grand Tour or more than a single Monument, with roughly the same form he had this season. A fully healthy Vingegaard and Van Aert truly changes things.
One minor, probably inconsequential point about Pogacar's attack with 6 KM to go on the climb...I don't know if it was intentional, but he launched at the precise moment Sivakov was overtaking the two breakaway riders. Pog seemed to use Sivakov and those two riders the way a basketball player would use a teammate to screen out defenders, causing Evenepoel to not be able to follow (even if he wanted to or had the capability to) for a second or two. That hesitation meant, even if he could match the 1000 watt surge, Evenepoel still had instantly lost the wheel. Game over. Was that instinctual for Pogacar, pure luck, or a sign of his keen racing sense?
Spencer, thanks for a great season of analysis. You can't get the level of detail and insight you provide anywhere else.
Pogacar is indeed one of the best ever but (based on my past comments you know what's coming next), his amazing season is due, in small part, to the reduction of the fields at some races by injuries. My view is that if Wout van Aert had not crashed at the Giro he would have given Pogacar a run for his money at the worlds. Pogacar's TdF rivals, particularly Vingegaard, were not in top form because of crashes in the spring. As for Pogacar's classics dominance, van der Poel won two this year (and has now won rainbow jerseys in three cycling specialties). Here's hoping we see everyone in top form in 2025.
Hey Gary, thanks!
Yes, you are correct that things really fell into place for Pogačar this season. It is very possible that in 2025, he doesn't win a Grand Tour or more than a single Monument, with roughly the same form he had this season. A fully healthy Vingegaard and Van Aert truly changes things.
One minor, probably inconsequential point about Pogacar's attack with 6 KM to go on the climb...I don't know if it was intentional, but he launched at the precise moment Sivakov was overtaking the two breakaway riders. Pog seemed to use Sivakov and those two riders the way a basketball player would use a teammate to screen out defenders, causing Evenepoel to not be able to follow (even if he wanted to or had the capability to) for a second or two. That hesitation meant, even if he could match the 1000 watt surge, Evenepoel still had instantly lost the wheel. Game over. Was that instinctual for Pogacar, pure luck, or a sign of his keen racing sense?
That is a good point, it was almost like he was using them as a screen. I actually wouldn't be surprised if this was intentional.