Before we definitively close the classics chapter – just a week ago we were in Liège and it seems like a century has passed – let's stay on the subject a little longer. And we do it with Paul Slongo, long-time trainer. He has won classics, even "out of reach" ones, with his athletes, one above all Nibali at Sanremo, so he has some experience. The question at stake is: who will be the first to conquer all five Monuments, Tadej pogacar o Mathieu van der Poel?
The Slovenian and the Dutchman have been the stars of this first part of the season. The rider from Alpecin-Deceuninck more than that of the UAE EmiratesIn any case, the two champions are tied 3-3 in this spectacular pursuit of the five monuments which, let us remember, only three riders have managed to conquer in history: Eddie Merckx, Rick Van Looy and Roger De Vlaeminck.
Just being able to talk about it again after such a long time is a small accomplishment. Cycling is giving us absolute champions, and we should enjoy them. Pogacar won: Lombardy, Liège, and Flanders. Van der Poel: Sanremo, Flanders, and Roubaix.
So, Paul, which of the two will get there first? If that's even possible...
Sanremo is difficult for Pogacar. It's not an impossible race, but that's precisely why it's difficult to win... for anyone. Van der Poel has already won, but Pogačar hasn't. Two years ago, I remember meeting Tadej in Cittiglio; he had come to see his teammate Urska Zigart at the Trofeo Binda. I told him: «You will win the Sanremo when several things come together, starting with the particular climate».
That?
I'm referring to a set of things that can make it easier. He's a stage racer, a Grand Tour racer, so he spends less than others, so if he encounters a difficult day, perhaps cold and rainy, his chances increase. When Nibali won, it was cold. We encountered two or three showers, and that changed certain balances and energy expenditure. And in fact, in the finale, Vincenzo was cooler than the others. So for the Sanremo, Tadej, and others too, also needed a bit of luck and for everything to go right. In the end, we didn't win with Sagan... and it was the perfect race for him!
And Roubaix? Pogacar himself has made it clear that he feels the cobblestone race is more feasible than the ClassicissimaWhy? Is it also a question of technology that favors someone lighter like him?
I think technology favors everyone, so the gap would eventually remain the same. Roubaix, however, is a less open race. With fewer surprises. In some ways it resembles the Strade Bianche, not so much for the particular surface but for the sectors, whether cobblestones or dirt roads, which take you to the threshold or beyond the threshold. Furthermore, it is a long, endurance, exhausting race… in which the energy expenditure is enormous and someone like him might have fewer problems emerging.
So, do you confirm that Roubaix is “easier” for Pogacar?
Yes, from a technical point of view its true Sanremo is the Achilles' heel, Roubaix could be from a programming point of view.
What do you mean?
He's also aiming for the Grand Tours, and Roubaix is risky. Maybe he'll put it off for a year, or another, and ultimately lose out on opportunities and experience.
Let's move on to Van der Poel, who is missing Liège and Lombardy...
They're two similar races, but different and held at different times. They're far apart, so it's important to see how the race arrives at the Lombardy race, especially. In theory, being a World Cup man, he could take advantage of his condition, but then team strategies also come into play, which priorities they give.
More Liège or Lombardy for VdP?
For Liège he has shown that he can fight, but he should certainly leave aside the first part of the classics, The one that suits him best (and here we come back to the topic of team priorities, ed.) or at least Roubaix. That one stays in your legs and is close to the Ardennes Classics, as we also saw how it was at the Amstel. Liège is more doable than the Lombardia.
Why?
Because the climbs are longer and he can exploit his strength and explosiveness a little less.
How much weight should Van der Poel lose for these two classics?
It's very difficult to answer, especially since I don't have his data. But are we really sure he can lose weight? Because being big and muscular is one thing, being "fat" is another. Maybe he's already at 4-5 percent body fat and what are you going to trim? Van der Poel has well-defined muscles and he should be distorted, and we've seen that those who have done so have often lost out. It's going against nature.
And the carbohydrate-per-hour thing should theoretically benefit someone like VdP, who can "feed" his muscles more than in the past. Is this theory valid?
I don't think so. Everyone eats well and carefully these days. It's a bit like the technology thing, and it applies to both.
Do they have a time limit for this assault on the five Monuments?
There is no precise limit. This depends mostly on them and their motivation rather than their physiques. And in this respect Van der Poel has a slight advantage. Because he's not a stage racer. Stage races wear you down more, both during the race itself and in the build-up. It's easier for Mathieu to take breaks during the season.
So do you think they can do it?
They can undoubtedly invade each other's pitch, as already happened to Flanders. I say they have more or less the same chance, It all depends on how much they are willing to neglect other races to achieve these two goals.
