Pro-cycling thread

I think you have to protect athletes from themselves some time

He hasn't looked like he had to go extremely deep to win, plus he has the chance to put a "perfect season" record pretty much on the shelf forever. He could win all 5 this year then have nothing more to prove = stuff of legends. He might never get another chance to do this so easily, at least until 2028 and that'd be his only other shot maybe? If he's still up there in 2032 then we will be in unprecedented times.

The only people who think it’s feasible are internet forum people (copyright Mark Cavendish). Even cycling journalists (who a month ago were writing puff pieces saying how UAE had the Tour podium places stitched up) aren’t writing more puff pieces saying how Pogacar can now make history by winning the Vuelta because they know it’s not viable.

What about the other Vuelta contenders? Will they be in top form?

internet forum people

I feel seen!

Like hippy mentioned, he's making it look so easy though.

He could at least do us a favour and go to the Vuelta, battle closely for the lead for 2 weeks then crack massively so us internet forum people get some proper drama to armchair ds about.

The only GT competition he has left this season are the records.

He's going to win Lombardia.

Hey, if we don't tell Qav to HTFU, then who will? We're important.

He's only going through the Alps at the moment, that's obviously nothing.

There's a chance to put Lowestoft-Ardnamurchan on a very high shelf.

If froome did three in a row why not Pogacar? He wont and shouldn't but i certainly think he could

Three in a row clearly doesn’t count it if it’s over Chrimbo. Strike it from the records.

How many tours until he overtakes Cavendish I wonder...

Nice to see Carapaz in polka and not a 123.

At this rate, roughly six more. Before he turns 33 if he doesn’t miss any.

And the worlds…

I don't think Pogacar will beat Cavendish's record. He will get bored at some stage.

Also every chance that Vingo wins next year

I wonder how this would be playing out if Vingo was in the same shape as 2023….a much closer contest, surely Vingo in full flight would crack Remco

Vingo set a 40m power record the other day trying to ride Pog off his wheel.

...and finished 1:08 behind him.

If Vingegaard was at his best, and his team was better, there would be seconds, not minutes, between them, in either direction.
I guess if Pogagcar doesn't try to win the Vuelta this year probably neither he or anyone will ever try to win all three in a season since he's had as comfortable a time at the Giro and Tour as he's ever likely to have. It's the one very obvious achievement that would put a rider unquestionably above everyone else in history though so I can't believe it's not at least vaguely planned for the future.

I agree with Will. Things have gone in his favour this year - I doubt it will be possible again. Would be the most extraordinary cycling achievement. Im sure he'll consider it.

Though it's always worth remembering that the Vuelta used to be a half day race held on Christmas eve, open only to practicing Spaniards and when Merckx was riding much of the peloton were part timers and worked as brickies or farmers or pantomime dame stunt doubles during the winter and the peloton at the Tour was not much more than 100. Nutrition was still called food and fatigue still known as tiredness. So comparisons are not exact.

So you think it's feasible without doping?

Nutrition was still called food and fatigue still known as tiredness

Pure gold

He could win all 5 this year

Wut's all 5?

O-lympics and world champion as well I guess.