Tadej Pogacar has no real, credible, dangerous opponents. It is evident and today we had yet another demonstration of it. Moreover, Mario Cipollini was very clear: «The Slovenian is an off-the-scale runner. He’s not even comparable to his opponents.” A sentence.
On the eve of the only presentable one, but more for its palmares than for its real current potential, it was Geraint Thomas. But he was a theoretical opponent, just because he needed one to present. In fact, since the race started we have seen that the Welshman is struggling to keep the wheels of the pink jersey going uphill and has taken a beating in the time trial.
But today I want to start my comparison with Lion King to understand something more, both of the pink jersey and of the racing dynamics. Let’s hear it.
Mario, you always told me that Pogacar should leave a few slices of cake for others too. Regarding Milan, however, you told me that given his current superiority in the sprint he should strike while the iron is hot. So what is best to do?
«They are different situations. The sprinters who can win are always seven/eight. Maybe Merlier or Groves find better condition during the race. Pogacar who can beat him? I think his superiority is almost boring. On the final climb I even got sleepy watching it on TV. Everything comes too easy for Tadej. And leaving something to others is evidently not in his style.”
His superiority seems to me to influence the entire race. His rivals, as well as being beaten, seem to have surrendered.
«Pogacar resets everything, even the fight for places. He puts everyone in difficulty. Did you also see the escape? There was also Bardet who broke away like any other rider. Plus, if he finds a perfect team like today, it’s the middle of the night for the others.”
Why do you think Tadej was satisfied with winning in the sprint?
«But he does what he wants. He wins as he likes and turns on that day. I have never seen such clear superiority. Perhaps that of Pantani in ’99 (who however did not win the Giro but was put out of the running in Campiglio, ed.). But Marco also had Tonkov and Guerini who could cause him some trouble.”
Merckx was a cannibal, Indurain an enlightened king: can Pogacar be compared to them?
«No, at least for this Giro. Merckx and Indurain have always raced against totally different opponents. Much stronger.”
You know, however, I noticed one thing: around him after his victories there is no longer that air of unbridled revelry of his managers and technicians.
«I noticed it from the beginning. It could be a good sign because it could mean that Pogacar is maturing. Winning is always beautiful, fantastic. But it creates habit and generates stress.” What if there was something else…?
Mario, before saying goodbye I would like to ask your opinion on a rider who seems to be growing well: Tiberi. In the weeks before the start, Ivan Basso had sponsored “his son” Piganzoli as the Italian rider of the future for stage races. Tiberi seems stronger to me.
«Today Tiberi was brilliant uphill. I really liked it. He looks great and has shown that he has a good engine. It’s a shame about the delay on the first uphill arrival in Oropa.”
It seems that the reason is due to the fact that when he punctured his team they gave him a bike with flat tires.
«It’s modern cycling…».
