Attia/Pogacar interview
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Jeremy McCreary
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Very likeable, humble guy. Fascinating peek under the hood of pro racing at Grand Tour level.
I get why people wonder if he's doping. But until I see proof-positive that he is, I'm assuming that he's just an alien from an advanced cycling civilization.
I get why people wonder if he's doping. But until I see proof-positive that he is, I'm assuming that he's just an alien from an advanced cycling civilization.
Jeremy McCreary
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Well, he did it. Pogacar won the Worlds in Zurich yesterday. And the Giro and the TdF earlier in the year. Only the 4th rider ever to win all 3 in one season, along with Merckx.
Made his first attack at 100 km out, got some help from fellow Slovenians for a while, then made a final attack at 50 km and led solo from there on out. The totally unplanned first attack left the peloton stunned, including Pogi himself, who later called it a "stupid" move that somehow worked out to his own surprise!
After the race, his main competitors, including Evenepoel and van der Poel, all said the same thing: Pogi's just the best right now, nobody can keep up with him, and he deserved to win. That's pretty remarkable in and of itself.
Made his first attack at 100 km out, got some help from fellow Slovenians for a while, then made a final attack at 50 km and led solo from there on out. The totally unplanned first attack left the peloton stunned, including Pogi himself, who later called it a "stupid" move that somehow worked out to his own surprise!
After the race, his main competitors, including Evenepoel and van der Poel, all said the same thing: Pogi's just the best right now, nobody can keep up with him, and he deserved to win. That's pretty remarkable in and of itself.
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And let's not forget Stephen Roche 1987 Tour & Giro & Worlds! I can remember that day, I had been cycling in a race on a rainy day (got dropped early on) and was in the mini bus with the rest of the club heading home (with all our bikes and gear) when we heard it on the van's radio! The Irish team had been set up for Kelly to win as the really tough undulating circuit suited his style and a sprint ending was assumed (between the survivors). Roche was riding for Kelly & had done a great job and jumped to a leading group as the finish approached but Kelly the wily old fox realised if he jumped to join him (Roche's plan) he'd bring up other heavy guns like LeMond so he didn't jump & follow. Roche realised this and managed to win himself. In the pic you can see Kelly in the background sitting up and about to cheer himself - selfless, just delighted an Irishman & his friend had finally won the Worlds. Think it rained the entire day - both at the worlds and on my Junior race (under 16s) but it was an incredible day (& year) for Irish Cycling.
Very pleased to see Ben Healy finish 7th yesterday and as usual be the most aggressive attacking rider. He's still very young so bright future ahead.
Jeremy McCreary
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It's official...
www.cyclingnews.com
‘It’s obvious that he is now above me’ – Eddy Merckx hails Tadej Pogačar after Worlds exhibition
Belgian suggests Pogačar is now the greatest cyclist of all time
www.cyclingnews.com
Captain Slow
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I can't believe from how far out Pogacar attacked and won, solo'ed in from 50 km's amazing.
Jeremy McCreary
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The disbelief is apparently universal, and he's been doing it all season — including an earlier one from 80 km out. Won that one, too.
He recently called it his "stupid instinct", adding that sometimes it works out, sometimes it doesn't. In 2024, it's been working out pretty well.
Fun to be following pro cycling as Pogi makes history.
Jeremy McCreary
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The full replay of the 2024 Worlds is available now. Well worth watching.
Pogi's first attack — as we know now, the beginning of the end — came at 100.8 km out (~4h31m in video), but the first rumblings leading up to it started at ~105 km (~4h25m).
Pogi's final attack came at 51.6 km out (5h35m). Just rode away from everyone else, including ally Simakov, and held the solo lead thereafter.
Pogi looked astoundingly fresh and totally relaxed after the race. Everyone else looked wiped. Unbelievable!
Pogi's first attack — as we know now, the beginning of the end — came at 100.8 km out (~4h31m in video), but the first rumblings leading up to it started at ~105 km (~4h25m).
Pogi's final attack came at 51.6 km out (5h35m). Just rode away from everyone else, including ally Simakov, and held the solo lead thereafter.
Pogi looked astoundingly fresh and totally relaxed after the race. Everyone else looked wiped. Unbelievable!
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Jeremy McCreary
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Jeremy McCreary
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Well, Pogi's done it again! Won Il Lombardia (aka Giro di Lombardia) a few days ago in classic Pogi style. Attacked with a withering uphill acceleration at 48 km out (see 2:40 below) and grew his solo lead from there to beat second-place Evenepoel by over 3 minutes!
With that victory on the last Monument of the season, he now has...
Who does that??
Wonder if he'll return to his home planet for some off-season R&R?
With that victory on the last Monument of the season, he now has...
Who does that??
Wonder if he'll return to his home planet for some off-season R&R?
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