With regards the level of competition, you just have to watch from the start of any of the men’s racing right now. It is so hard to establish the break because the field is so, so strong, and so much deeper with strength.
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On this we agree.
On this, not so much. The field was plenty deep and strong in the Armstrong era.
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Merckx didn’t race in the Armstrong era.
But also, I think the field is deeper than the Armstrong era. There were more top, top performers due the high octane stuff going on, but I don’t think the rest of the field were as capable as the current field.
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Do you think it’s because everyone is so much stronger or have the tactics changed?
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That’s a good question that I was going to mention.
One thought is that the races are broadcast from the neutral now a lot of the time, so racers/DS’s may be more motivated from the gun.
My gut says that it’s due to there being more riders, on more teams, that think they can make the break, or feature in the end.
Just to be clear, I never said he did. 
I’ll quit now. 
I don’t expect any cyclist to surpass the legend of Eddy in my life time.
With that said, Pog’s accomplishments in the modern era and the panache with which he does it are really exciting.
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I hope that the dominant riders we are seeing are the result of a natural bell curve and historical talents and not of a few being ahead in terms of “other methods”.
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In my opinion the level of competition is crazy elevated. Science has come such a long way compared to when Merckx was around in regards to bike technology, nutrition, biomechanics, etc… Racers are often picked based on power profiles amongst other results. This would have been impossible in the Merckx era. Cycling has grown significantly, since the Merckx era resulting in more participation giving way to more competition.
I will admit I am skeptical of Pog’s performances and really want him to be the clean real deal. He seems like a great role model for cyclists. Especially, if you were to compare him to a young Sagan (cringe). Also he just seems like a nice guy compared to a certain Texan.
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I agree that Pog is a great racer, but he races courses that suit him like the other superstars. Primoz, Wout, MVDP, Pog, and Jonas are all freaks when given the right circumstances. But there’s a reason why Pog isn’t racing Roubaix with Wout and MDVP. It wouldn’t be a contest.
So who is everyone picking for Roubaix? My heart wants WVA more than MVP, but I feel like this race can be such a large gamble. If the weather stays dry, which I believe it is supposed to I think it would take less luck and he will have a great chance. Also no climbs for MVP to punish him on. My dark horses are Stuyven and Sheffield.
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You’re right about the dice roll. Such an incredible amount of luck is required. I’m still picking Wout though.
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I couldn’t disagree more re: Pog ( and I’m not even a Pog fan boi!). He comes out and races almost every race he enters. He is one of only 3 riders in history to win the Tour and de Ronde. From one-day classics to week-long stage races to the Grand Tours…he races to win them all.
That is a massive shift in approach…the last 30 years has been dominated by “specialists”. Pog definitely is not that.
Same for Wout, and to a lesser degree, MVP. Wout can win TT’s, bunch sprints, hilly stages and even a mountain stage with the right circumstances. I think MVP is the overall better rider, but Wout is a more complete rider.
As for Sunday, my guess is that Wout and MVP Marie each other out, which allows someone else to escape up the road. Mads Pedersen appears to be in fine form and he could use Sturyvens as a foil to get away.
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Yes, with a strong emphasis in “right circumstances”. He can’t win an outright climbing stage against GC guys, no wayX
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Van Baarle
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Hence the qualifier I put in…I am definitely not one of those who thinks Wout can climb with the best when they are focused on the GC.
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This wins prize for wrong take of the year
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Tend to agree with this. I stood next to Pog pre race on Sunday and he’s tiny - I took a photo with him and I’m 6’2 and 165lbs and he appears small next to me. Compare to MVDP and he is legitimately a strong cyclist (bigger than me). Flanders does not suit Pog in any way, shape, or form
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I think it’s MVDP, but I’m routing for WVA.
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Can you…. Elaborate? 