Tadej Pogacar is the best cyclist in the world. But in cycling you can sometimes also win the smartest or the happiest. Visma-Lease A Bike seems to be committed to this in this Tour de France.
Last Thursday something remarkable happened in the Tour de France. After the stage, Pogacar lashed out to Visma. “I don’t know what they were trying today,” the 26-year-old Slovenian grumbled. “It didn’t make sense. Maybe they have lost a bit.”
For the first time in his impressive career, Pogacar dropped his mask. For years it was all cheerfulness. Even at the rare moments that ‘Pogi’ was defeated, he was fooling with his colleagues afterwards. He never showed a glimpse of grin. So until last Thursday.
Pogacar has little reason to be dissatisfied. The leader of Uae Emirates is in shape and has won at all his competitors, while the high mountains still have to come. He has two ride victories in his pocket. The fourth Tour victory is going to be.
Why from that that sneer to the team of his great rival Jonas Vingegaard? Apparently visma has sat under his skin.
Looking for weak spots
It has been a theme for Visma in the Tour de France for years: what is the weak spot of Pogacar? How can leader Vingegaard get into a situation in which he has the upper hand? And what role can the teammates play in this?
In 2022 and 2023, Visma cracked that code. Even then Pogacar was already the best rider in the world, but had two weak spots. His team was vulnerable in width and he sometimes had a less time except for long climbs after debilitating stages.
Visma went to work with that data and developed a tailor -made tactic. It resulted in two Tour victories from Vingegaard. But Pogacar did not fall on the back of his head. He has discovered the cracks in his fort and professionally sealed off.
The Slovenian is now surrounded by an excellent team. Moreover, he has demonstrably taken a step in the long climbs in the high mountains.
An ultimate means
Visma suggested that a problem. How do you beat someone without weak spots? One thing is certain: if you let Uae Emirates determine the rhythm of the course, the rest will be without a chance. So the Dutch team seizes an ultimate means: chaos.
The yellow-black formation sends riders in the flight, increases the pace at times when Pogacar wants to take it easy and demarcate when the race is in the fold. There does not always seem to be a well thought out plan, but that is precisely the plan.
Visma tries to make the course unpredictable, in the hope that a situation suddenly arises in which Pogacar comes under pressure. People under pressure make mistakes, even Pogacar. Think of the Strade Bianche or Paris-Roubaix this year. In both classics, the world champion went down when it became exciting and he sent a turn to Driest.
Falls Almeida and Pogacar
This tour also shows that hectic price situations can cause plot twists. In the stage to the Mûr-de-Bretagne, Pogacars Lieutenant João Almeida fell hard, which had to give up a few days later. And yesterday the Slovenian world champion himself fell. Both falls happened in a phase that Visma caused the course to ignite.
Of course, Visma does not hope that other riders will fall, and certainly not that they have injuries to that. But the fact is that Pogacar has lost its most important helper and starts the first mountain stage in a battered way.
The chaos theory of Visma offers no guarantees. The penny can also stand out the wrong side, making the team itself a victim of an unexpected situation. But Visma has few alternatives.
Pogacar is still the favorite for the final victory of this Tour de France. But some cracks have become visible in the armor of the Slovenian. It will motivate Visma to continue on this foot. Whether ‘pogi’ is very fond of that or not.
Tadej Pogacar is the best cyclist in the world. But in Cycling, Sometimes the Smartest or Luckiest Can Win. Visma-Lease A Bike Seems to Be Aiming For That In This Tour de France.
Last Thorsday, something remarkable happened in the Tour de France. Pogacar Lashed out at Visma After the Stage. “I don’t know what they were trying to do today,” the 26-year-old slovenian grumbled. “It made no sense. Maybe they’ve Lost their way a bit.”
For the first time in His impression career, pogacar briefly dropped his mask. For Years, It was All Joy. Just on the weird occasions when ‘pogi’ was defeated, he was joking with his creams afterwards. He never showed a glimpse or annoyance. Until Last Thorsday, that is.
In fact, pogacar has little reason to be dissatisfied. The Leader of Uae Emirates is in Shape and Has Gained Time on All His Competitors, While the High Mountains Are Yet To Come. He has two stage Victories Under His Belt. The Fourth Tour Victory Beckons.
Where does that sneer at the team of his great rival Jonas Vingegaard come from? Apparently, Visma Has Goths Under His Skin.
Looking for Weak Spots
It has bone a theme for visma in the Tour de France for years: What is Pogacar’s Weak Spot? How Can Leader Vingegaard Get Into A Situation Where he has the upper hand? And what role can the teammates play in this?
In 2022 and 2023, Visma cracked that code. Pogacar was already the best rider in the world then, but had two weak spots. His team was vulnerable in Breadth and he his own Sometimes had a lesser moment on Long Climbs After Grueling Stages.
Visma started working with this data and developed a customized tactic. It resulted in Two Tour Victories for Vingegaard. But Pogacar Hasn’t Fallen on the Back of his Head. He has discovered the chinks in His Armor and Expertly Sealed Them.
The Slovenian is now surrounded by an excellent team. MoreOover, he has demonstrably tasks a step in the long climbs in the high mountains.
An Ultimate Means
That Posed A Problem for Visma. How do you beat some without weak spots? One thing is certain: If you let uae emirates dictate the pace of the race, the rest are doomed. So the Dutch Team is Using An Ultimate Means: Chaos.
The Yellow-Black Formation Sends Riders Along In The Breakaway, Increases The Pace At Times When Pogacar Wants To Take It Easy, And Attacks When The Race Has Settled Down. There Doesn’t Always Seem to Be a Well-though-out plan Behind It, but That is Precisely the Plan.
Visma is trying to make the racing unpredictable, hoping that a situation sauddenly arises in which pogacar comes under pressure. People Under Pressure Make Mistakes, Even Pogacar. Think of the Strade Bianche or Paris-Roubaix of this year. In Both Classics, The World Champion crashed when things got tense and he steered too boldly into a corner.
Crashes of Almeida and Pogacar
This tour also shows that hectic racing situations can caus plot twists. In The Stage To The Mûr-de-Bretagne, Pogacar’s Lieutenant João Almeida Fell Hard, Forcing Him to Abandon a Few Days later. And Yesterday, The Slovenian World Champion himself crashed. Both crashes happened in a phase when visa ignited the race.
Of course, Visma does not hope that other riders fall, and certainly not that they sustain injuries. But the Fact is that pogacar has lost his most important helper and starts the first mountain stage battered.
Visma’s chaos theory sacrifices No Guarantees. The Coin Can also Fall the Wrong Way, Causing the Team Itelf to Fall Victim to An Unexpected Situation. But Visma HAS Few Alternatives.
Pogacar is still the favorite for the overall Victory of this Tour de France. But some cracks have Become visible in the Slovenian’s Armor. It will motivate visma to continuous on this path. Whether ‘Pogi’ gets grumpy from it or not.
