Bar chatter, like it happens between friends when you meet and start talking about cycling. This is how it happens to feel with Bartoli and to set your sights on two… classic beasts like Sagan and Van der Poel, linking back to the speech that was written a few days ago: Who knows if Peter sees in Mathieu, in his gestures and in his way of running, the same himself as a few years ago?And Michele, who when he was running and feeling good was certainly no less spectacular, plays along. Perhaps because champions recognize each other, perhaps because there really is some affinity.
"Of course there is," he says with a Tuscan smile. they have in common strength, their superiority compared to the group averageThey both have it. Now Sagan is unfortunately a bit lost, I don't know why. But Peter 100 percent against Van der Poel 100 percent would be a good fight.Van der Poel might be a bit more capable on the climbs. The other one, perhaps with all the promise he had, I don't know where he could have gone, but in my opinion he could still do it."
In his first Tour in 2012, Sagan began by winning in Seraing Tirreno 2021: Van der Poel wins in Gualdo Tadino: a familiar gesture.
In his first Tour in 2012, Sagan began by winning in Seraing Tirreno 2021: Van der Poel wins in Gualdo Tadino: a familiar gesture.
Barroom chatter, but truth be told, today's Sagan seems heavier and less convinced...
Sometimes, muscularly, especially when you don't work too hard, you get a little swollen. I am convinced that Sagan, trained, prepared, and cared for with his diet, would improve again.I've always been a fan of his, I even liked his attitude. And the fact is that in terms of quality, he's comparable to Van der Poel and even Van Aert. He's not inferior, absolutely.
What everyone has in common is off-roading.
I am convinced that also mountain biking gives you different skills, like cyclocrossThese are important qualities for winning races. Because they are all maximal efforts, very high peaks. Ultimately, to win, you have to go faster than the others without even giving up, and this is an attitude that mountain biking and cyclocross undoubtedly give you. I know what it means to do cyclocross, because I practiced it for many years too. And there It means doing a time trial every time, because you always go at your best.
At Mur de Bretagne, at the 2021 Tour, he won in a resounding manner and dedicated it to his grandfather Poupou In Metz, sixth stage of the 2012 Tour, victory imitating Hulk
At Mur de Bretagne, at the 2021 Tour, he won in a resounding manner and dedicated it to his grandfather Poupou In Metz, sixth stage of the 2012 Tour, victory imitating Hulk
Perhaps to be picky, the best Sagan is smarter than Van der Poel who really wastes so many…
Indeed Tactically, I see Sagan more like Van Aert than Van der PoelVan Aert is a tactical genius, but so is Sagan. Peter knows how to race. Let's say he is the synthesis between Van Aert's head and Van der Poel's explosiveness, because when he reaches 100 percent he doesn't make any mistakes. He's a sniper, he won three World Championships almost without a team. It would be great to see them together in top form. They would create sparks at Roubaix or Flanders.
According to many, Peter is on the path to retirement.
Pay attention… The athlete, the body never ends. It's the mind that gives you an earlier perception of the limit compared to when you're on the bubble.. And so you feel like you're at full speed, but in reality you're not. It's precisely the perception of fatigue that causes your performance to drop. This is why if Peter shakes himself up and gets back to having real motivation, his physique doesn't change much from 30 to 38. Performance seems to change, the truth is that from the age of thirty that effect of premature fatigue sets in and you tolerate the effort lessBut it's not a question of quality of strength, it's a mental question.
Maybe then he needs an uncomfortable sporting director to push him beyond that limit?
He was very ambitious in the early years, but now he seems a little more satisfied. These are signs. Maybe he really needs a Ferretti, like I did. Someone who can get him back on track and give him some grit. Either you go or you quit.. That maybe in the new team create a climate where he believes in himself a little more.
Both are wrong: in 2017 Sagan loses a Sanremo that seemed already won Instead VdP will win the 2021 Tour of Flanders from Asgreen, as he will then lose the Roubaix from Colbrelli due to too much generosity
Both are wrong: in 2017 Sagan loses a Sanremo that seemed already won Instead VdP will win the 2021 Tour of Flanders from Asgreen, as he will then lose the Roubaix from Colbrelli due to too much generosity
Can that anger be found again?
The difference between Sagan and Van der Poel is a bit linked to physical differences, but it is clear that the real furrow is now dug by hungerVan der Poel is incredibly hungry, even though he's already won so much. He clearly wants to outdo everyone else. Even just when he starts, he does the first three pedal strokes like a bad guySagan did it once too, with a 10-meter sprint he immediately gained three.
Fate sealed?
It's understandable that after years you're satisfied, I wouldn't blame him: it happens to everyone in a career. It's to make it clear that he would still be able to make the leap, to get back to his level, to be Hulk again.I'm rooting for him to succeed. He has to believe in it first and take away that empty look which I recently saw too.
