Tadej Pogacar Scary Climbing Performance on Col d'Eze | Paris-Nice 2023 Stage 8 

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Pog is so strong in these cooler temp, early year races. The heat seems to impact him quite a bit so it’ll be interesting to see how the weather is for this year’s TdF.

"can't you just gift us a win" - the peloton "get gud" - the Slovenians

If I was Jumbo, I would have a lot more concern about going to the TDF without a dual leader strategy after this week. Sure Vingegaard will come in better shape than now, but without Roglic the advantage is much less

Mostly dependent on whether Pog can maintain fitness peak through the summer for TdF. He's looking incredible at the moment

He looks amazing, Will be interesting to see what his plan for MSR is.

When Pogacar cracked in last year's TdF, it was a combination of Vingegaard and the weather that did him in. If it stays cool in the mountains, it's Pogacar's race to lose; if it heats. up, lots can happen.

I never thought I would see Jonas win a sprint

At this stage of his career, he's the best rider since Merckx. He's like the Cannibal in the sense he wants everything. Great to see

Love this guy! Still humble when he's destroyed the field! What a machine!

Paris Nice 2023 does not mean "its over" yet. This about approach/periodisation & a peak performance.... if we accept Tadej is the most naturally talented cyclist on the planet. In 2022, Jumbo's Pre tour training camp saw Vingegaard gain 2-3% in performance on aerobic power and he was able to shift sufficient lactate to recover from Pogs attacks. Jonas performance on Hautacaum was extrodinary close to Riis 1996 absolute best. That day Jonas climbed late in a three week race at a level that Pogacar or Bernal are yet to hit. That should not be overlooked! However, due to Stage 11, Jonas was able to ride very defensively/ just following Tadej after his errors on stage 11. I'd be shocked if that approach alone is allowed to bring him succes in Le Tour 2023. Jumbos strategy to beat Pogacar must be built on Vingegaard gaining 30-40 secs over Pog on Puy de Dome & Col de la Loze. This will nullify the bonus seconds he loses elsewhere and give him advantage. However, Tadej is smart both instinctively and strategically. If he is ahead before the longer climbs I think he will repay Jonas for 2022 wheel sucking and race more conservatively on those stages sitting on the wheel forcing Jonas to lead. I also think Mcnulty will be a telling positive aide to Pogacar providing all arrive fit and healthy. The TT will be +/- secs either way. Therefore finding anything else for Jonas will be key if Jumbo and their strategy advisors wish to replicate the coup of 2022 IMO... be really interested in other views. One other thought/consideration.... thats not be talked about much...what if Pogacar adjusts his approach altitude camps (nb he's not yet gone to altitude in pre season 2023) and is prepared to sacrifices some absolute wattage in June/July to enable his long climb ability to improve by a small margin.... that could be very interesting. Tough times for Jonas? If Jonas can beat Tadej on the 2023 Parcours it'll be a phenomenal performance and a great drama to watch. If Jonas can't then conversations will understandably turn to, "Pog the modern goat" and a 'hope' that Evenpoels introduction in 2024 brings a tri- interest to cycling's centre peice... Really interested in other views regardless of whether your backing Tadej or Jonas!

I think TJV has to bring both Jonas and Roglic to TDF if they want to dethrone Pog from a all but certain yellow jersey at the tour. Basically , they have to do again what they did last year and hope that one of them ( either Jonas or Roglic) can be sacrificed for the other. I am sure neither of them would agree to such a role but I see no other way Pog can be shaken.

Pog is so fun to watch. I love that all he cares about is winning. I know he races at a high level year round but I worry about him being able to hold this form all the way until July.

Well, at least the speculation about who between Pog and Jonas was in better form coming in to Paris Nice has been put to rest.

Top job as always sir. Really enjoyed your coverage throughout. I'll tell you one thing, it's all a far cry from the late 80's when we'd get an inch by four inches of daily standings in the back pages of the Sports section in the local paper and then Winning magazine a month later.

Booyah! Pog on fire, just riding away

Kudos to POGS... special thanks to LR...for spreading the cycling race.

purchased a GCN plus pass with your discount, very pleased with the service.

Gracias from Spain!!!

I have NBC Sports through Peacock, however, I would consider switching to GCN plus if Lanterne Rogue gave live commentary. 😊

Can't wait for the tour let's gooo!

Whats scary for TdF is no just the level that Pogacar is showing, but also he wont make the same mistakes. He(or someone on his team) said that he doesnt eat and drink properly in high heat, which I think they will change and UAE is probably gonna field a much stronger team, which can tactically keep up with whatever TJV throws at you. And people forget this year UAE can also do the 1-2 tactics with Pog,Yates or it they take Ayuso

Thank you. Always great synopsis.

Doesn’t change anything for this year’s Tour. Jonas was miles off Pogi last year in Tirreno, same this year. I reckon Jonas can get in mutant shape for a good month, whereas Pogi can hold his shape for the whole year round. So still too early to draw any conclusions (Jonas wasn’t that good during Basque Country either), not until Romandie/Dauphiné

Briliant pogi...needs to grab TDF this time..let's see

Vingegaard didn't even try to go with Pogacar. He knew he didn't have a chance. Securing second place was reasonable. For short mountains, Pogacar is the best in the world. But the Tour has very long mountains and Pogacar will have problems against Vingegaard. That was also the case last year. Pogacar always had to use time bonuses on the short climbs because he knew he would lose time against Vingegaard on the big climb.

They just got Pog'd didn't they? Nothing more to say from the man with 55 wins in 5 seasons. Incredible rider.

OMG , Lance is back.

A lot can happen between now and TDF, but this was definitely a shot across the bow.

It's like he's a different species than the rest.

Last year UAE left Pog to do a lot of heavy lifting himself (COVID and whatever else impacted them) for a lot of stages, meanwhile WVA carried TJV and Jonas in a big way. If the rest of UAE pull their weight this year then I don't see how anyone else gets a look in.

dont think it means too much. for the tour. Most riders choose peaks for the season and jonas will peak for july when he needs to peak. Pog is just Pog i guess and peaks a year round

Pog’s in a different league. You’ll only beat him with a 2 prong attack at a Grand Tour (no, not you Ineos) Send Rog to the TdF

Slovenia is main force in cycling!

I have a feeling this climb will be featured as B-roll for TP's Oprah interview 😂

Don't discard Vingegaard, the TdF is 3 weeks long, and last year Pogacar was dominating week one.

Pog's english has improved drastically... I recall Tour of California where he was struggling at interviews.

UAEs team in general is way better then last year.. with the switch to enve and shimano i think Pog is going to destroy everyone in the tour.

Stating the obvious but a 1 week stage race is not a Grand Tour. A lot can and does happen over 3 weeks and it all typically happens in the third week. It will be a mighty battle between Pog, Jonas and Roglic plus maybe one or two others sneaking in to the top 3 but I cant wait.

Pogacar is insane man.

Unbelievable

Going to watch E.T. now

Will there be a race recap of the 2023 Strade Bianche?

My God. Doesn't bode well for an interesting race in July! What a rider.

One week vs three week races are VERY different. Jonas is the king of long alpine climbs, whereas Pog is stronger on these sort of punchy climbs. I don't think we can judge how this race informs TDF right now. Pog certainly looks strong, but Jonas won't be near his peak yet given this is really pre-season racing.

That joke about the maths was pure class 😂

You speak about Jorgenson staying up with all those light guys here and also on Tour of Oman you said the same thing. It may be shocking but this guy, Matteo is 65kg according to internet whilst being 1.90m tall. So in fact he is lighter than Pog for example. I was kinda shocked when I acknowledged that

Jonas still waiting for Jumbo-Juice to kick in it seems.

Keep up the good work!

Pog is beast mode, if he keep it the tour is over

The New Cannibal!!

We need Padun to at least win a stage or two from break.

great commentary as always - and nice mention of 'one week race' - so the Tour isn't a cert, as if it is anyway

Pog is obviously the most gifted rider in the world - perhaps ever - but Vingegaard on top form is also an absolute beast and likely a smarter rider, so I think the TDF is very much up for grabs. One bad day is all it takes.

The reason vingegaard won tdf last year, was because jumbo made a great plan to worn out pogacar, and they obviusly dosent have the possibility to do that in a 8 day race, with that being said tho, i do think that it should be concerning for vingegaard and co. to see Pogacar in should well form. It will for sure be an intressting battle, also with UAE, probably learning from their mistakes from last year

this years tour suits poc much more than jonas. jonas won by dropping poc on two super long climbs. This years tour is laking of such mountain top finishes. Without any crash or mechanical poc could win this tour by only taking bonusseconds bc he has the superior sprint

great preparation by Felix Großschartner

Thanks guys for the highlights and excellent analysis as always. My thoughts for the Tour de France are based on pure self-preservation. I'll be watching for the sprints and breakaways like last year. Too much alien DNA in the GC. Just my humble opinion and no need for the haters to get on my case. I've been cycling and supporting cycling for over 30 years. Plenty to enjoy without worrying about the overall. Cheers guys!

Jumbo Visma is going to have to use all their stars to pummel Pogacar again and Pogacar hopefully has learned more tactics than using his strength to break his opponents and hopefully there will be other surprises that come along in the Tour....

Jonas just has to enter his villain arc and add a good 10-15 pounds no lie

slovenian domination, crazy time to be alive :D

Could be early season for Vingegaard, don’t count him out. Pogacar is on fire.

That last climb is extremely hard. The Chemin du Vinaigrier. I did the sportif the day before. Some people were walking in parts. I had to zig-zag bits of it.

col d’eze nuts

Roglic vs Pog at the tour this year... if roglic can stay on his bike it could be a good show

Jonas and Jumbo playing some 4d chess and gonna come into TDF firing on all cylinders to defend his title. Give me Pog for the win anyway.

With Pogs performance like that, outpacing other top level riders, makes me think they've discovered another undetectable performance enhancing drug!

Tadej Pogacar my be peeking to soon,

It's hard to say what that will mean for TdF. July is 3 1/2 months away, even a few years ago most people would say Pog has peaked too early.....

Pogacar Vs Remcom that two i want to battle.

Pogacar could enter the Kentucky Derby and win against thoroughbred racehorses. He is exceptionally tuned for success.

One of the best cyclists ever. He lives and breathes riding it seems. He must also train more i guess, why not ride all the time when you can, with the girlfriend, slower pace lot of volume is the best training. The best life, i dont have as much time and good weather to ride, but really there is little i enjoy more. Nothing better for body and mind

Is it a deliberate decision by Vingegaard to not be at his best level in the spring? Is he doing something differently from Pogacar that allows him to reach a higher peak level in July?

Are Pogs’ bars a tiny bit flared in the drops?

Pog has always been the strongest even in last years tour. The difference is the TEAM

It means absolutely nothing. There is so much time between those races that anything could happen. All Vingegaard needs to do is just pick him apart in the mountains. I think Pog has shown his power but day after day of keeping up will more than likely wear him down.

He doesn't need altitude trainings in Tenerife. Guidance by Mauro Gianetti and dr. San Millan is more than enough.

Big watts by Pog.

Why no analysis of Strada @ lanterne

Pog looking for revenge. This is scary...

I understand from the video engagement the end question but at the same time i think is "unfair" wanting to see if in TdF pog will be good to fight/win with Jonas, why don't appreciate the fact that he is winning different types of races during the full season, and still be the favorite to win the TdF ? Jonas "only" won the TdF las year, but was in a nuclear form there ... and pog still gave him fight... Two different type of riders, and different objectives during the season ... and two completly different teams in managment and goals ... (seems like jumbo manages riders, uae only pay riders to ride whatever they want)

What this means for the TdF? Wout van Aert taking a turn 😂

He is a long way from Sean Kelly as far as Paris- Nice is concerned. But it's fantastic to watch a professional at the top of his game work a race this way! His WAY

I know people are talking about Jonas not being on form, but Pogi is not on top form either. His base level is just that high compared to other riders. Odds are very much in his favour for the tour with good tactics. Make no mistake, he hasn’t peaked yet.

Great race for Jorgensen. Top 10, and just a few seconds and he would have finished two places higher

For Pogacar this race was about hurting mentally Vingegard. Still, I think he is too on form right now, meanwhile Vingegard will build his form towards Le Tour.

IMO, Vingegaard had every intention of dodging head-to-head competition with Pogecar until the TdF.

How did you find out Pogi's W/kg from today's climb? It's hidden from Strava.

Form changes as the year goes on , but then again I am sure they know how to handle Pogacar form at uae

A Jumbo-Visma vai ter que levar os 30 atletas pro Tour de France pra tentar parar o monstro Pogacar...

How the people can be so sure about Jonas being in top condition in July and almost give 100 % guarantee he will be stronger than ever?

Really important to remember that Pogacar was winning for the first part of the TdF last year, then Jonas beat him.

Believe it or not, the Pogacar-led UAE is the ONLY remaining team in the World Tour sponsored by . . . Campagnolo!

No one man can beat Pogi. It will take a stacked team to win against him, just like Le Tour last year

If you follow cycling just a bit, you would know, that Vingegaard is better on longer climbs, than Pogacar. Paris-Nice, is not like TDF. Almost just like a normal training day for VIngegaard for sure.

Why no recaps on Tirreno-Adriatico ?

Pog and Jonas are almost equal, difference will come out on who has the better team. Just like what happened in the TdF last year, Jonas had the better team. Let’s see what happens this year.

Pass the juice please

How can pogacar be that much better than pure climbers when he’s relatively heavier

He did 118 in less than 3 hours☠️☠️☠️☠️