Super happy to see VdP back on form!
VdP has demonstrated that his raw power on terrain like this is just greater than like… 99% of the peloton for one-day events. He’s the quintessential “finesse” rider. Just like old muscle cars that got 10 miles to the gallon but had more horse power than today’s F350s.
Did anyone notice that Wout was more focused on blocking Pog than crossing the finish line? (For the record, I’m a huge Wout fan.)
Wait…you were actually betting money on the placings of MSR?
Yes, it has not been a completely ruinous endeavor…so far.
I wouldn’t call that “finesse”….that is just brute, raw power.
But like Strade Bianche 2 years ago, when MVP lays down the raw watts, w/kg and w/CdA go out the door……he can generate mor raw power over a ~a minute than anyone can match. It is amazing to watch.
Maybe I’m a cycling junkie and a gambling degenerate….but it’s hard to overstate how crazy the lineup of this race is, best of the year besides TdF.
Remco
Bernal
Primoz
Carapaz
Almeida
Yates
Rigo
Do you really think Bernal is a GC contender at any WT stage race this year? I’d love to see it but it feels too soon. If he can even make mountain domestique level this year I’d be happy
No, my rational side prevails when I bet. But with a guy this talented, I need to see the actual results before I discount him entirely.
Furthermore, I get the sense that Egan’s path will be closer to Remco’s after he literally broke his ass, than Froome’s. Happily, this speculation will be tested this week.
All prior form assessments from races have shown him at a dramatically reduced level from a GC podium. I think you’re right that it won’t be a ‘never again’ recovery like Froome’s, but I think we won’t see him in that form until the end of this season for single days and next season for stage races
Pencil him in as a Vuelta stage winner or stage podium from a break 
Literally one, this January in Argentina. And what we saw there was somewhat positive. 40s behind the best long/altitude climber in the world in peak shape.
Fair - and I love watching him race, so I hope I’m being overly pessimistic - but he was 40 seconds behind Lopez and 40 seconds ahead of Quinn Simmons - so its hard to say it was a ‘good’ climbing performance
Agree. In the PRO-Elite thread we have detailed info of his training in the past weeks. I’m very curious about his results given his approach, aside from the injury recovery elephant.
Results are in:
Primoz win, Remco right there, all the GC relevant guys are there. Bernal and Carapaz lose 10-12s 
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I don’t think Yates started.
He certainly has the raw watts, but I have noticed that all of these contenders, including MVdP, have developed very aero positions on their road bikes. They have to.
Mic drop. Hopefully you put some money on him. Good pick!
That really depends on how you define best.
Best performance data. Highly likely. Wout is truly a generational talent.
Ability to execute at pivotal moments, against absolute top competition, at the biggest events…
I’d argue that MVDP is better at this. He’s just an incredibly fierce competitor. Possibly, more so than Wout. Obviously, we’re talking tiny percentages here.
I believe MVDP, Pogi and Remco share this truly killer instinct. For better or worse, it gives them the edge.
In prime condition, I believe MVDP has to be the favorite for RVV, PR and the World Champs this year. Each of those events suit him. Paris Roubaix being the least suited to MVDP. Wout being the most suited to that race.
Very nice Giro 2023 proxy battle btwn Remco and Primoz. Everybody else just along for the ride.
Egan was 2:45 off the winner. His path of recovery has not deviated from Remco’s trajectory so far yet.
But then again… there was Wout at the Tour last year…
