Was Tadej’s problem cramps or bonking, do we know?

It kinda look like he was bonking, but everyone's asking...
https://velo.outsideonline.com/road/road-training/the-feed-that-saved-pogacar-at-roubaix-is-not-what-you-think/

Mark Taylor said:

Blake , 

Cross , cross, cross !!!!

 I was pretty surprised MVDP didn't go down on the same corner where tadej did, but looked like the stretch of grass he went into didn't have as sharp/muddy of a dip off the road.

Oh ya fair… I’m excited for cross this year 

My feeling on the car was that it was giving Pog' a draft and thus helping him that way.  But then the Alpecin driver was also doing the same thing for MvdP.  

Funny thing about the watch.  A friend of mine did the Challenge Paris-Roubaix years ago on a '70s era bike and gear, including a period-correct wristwatch.  He also got cut by the watch.  

While I obviously never raced a cobbled classic, as the resident "wears an analog watch on every ride" guy I've never had an issue like that even for some pretty rough, long courses like Raputitsa. Worst I've had it was the watch rubbing off the sunblock around the wrist and getting unwanted tan lines.

I need to get a spot on UAE as their watch coach, teach these noobz a thing or two.

David Yang said:

While I obviously never raced a cobbled classic, as the resident "wears an analog watch on every ride" guy I've never had an issue like that even for some pretty rough, long courses like Raputitsa. Worst I've had it was the watch rubbing off the sunblock around the wrist and getting unwanted tan lines.

I need to get a spot on UAE as their watch coach, teach these noobz a thing or two.

The more expensive the watch the more damage it causes , Your watch was probably from Costco

Also sad for them that they are forced to wear those hideous Richard Mille watches.

David Yang said:

While I obviously never raced a cobbled classic, as the resident "wears an analog watch on every ride" guy I've never had an issue like that even for some pretty rough, long courses like Raputitsa. Worst I've had it was the watch rubbing off the sunblock around the wrist and getting unwanted tan lines.

I need to get a spot on UAE as their watch coach, teach these noobz a thing or two.

It's not that the watch is analogue.  It's that it's chunky and sharp.  

As I was mentioning to Eloy on Sunday, I think this season has demonstrated that the concept of there being a 'northern classics' rider, a heavier, more gear-mashing cyclist who can better ride the stones, is, at the very least, almost consigned ot the dustbin of history.

I was thinking that Paris-Roubaix was going to show that, at least for one race, there is still a place for that kind of rider.  With Pogi in second, but surrounded by beefier riders, at least there's one race where the brawler has an (possibly slight) edge.  

I think the larger tires have led to higher speeds which has changed the riding style which has changed the profile of the riders who can do well.  

mugwump said:

David Yang said:

While I obviously never raced a cobbled classic, as the resident "wears an analog watch on every ride" guy I've never had an issue like that even for some pretty rough, long courses like Raputitsa. Worst I've had it was the watch rubbing off the sunblock around the wrist and getting unwanted tan lines.

I need to get a spot on UAE as their watch coach, teach these noobz a thing or two.

It's not that the watch is analogue.  It's that it's chunky and sharp.  

The only things chunky and sharp should be peanut butter and cheese.

mugwump said:

As I was mentioning to Eloy on Sunday, I think this season has demonstrated that the concept of there being a 'northern classics' rider, a heavier, more gear-mashing cyclist who can better ride the stones, is, at the very least, almost consigned ot the dustbin of history.

I was thinking that Paris-Roubaix was going to show that, at least for one race, there is still a place for that kind of rider.  With Pogi in second, but surrounded by beefier riders, at least there's one race where the brawler has an (possibly slight) edge.  

I think the larger tires have led to higher speeds which has changed the riding style which has changed the profile of the riders who can do well.  

Mark Taylor said:

Blake , 

Cross , cross, cross !!!!

 I was pretty surprised MVDP didn't go down on the same corner where tadej did, but looked like the stretch of grass he went into didn't have as sharp/muddy of a dip off the road.

@Mark Taylor

Just to keep this polemic going, I don't see Benoot, Trentin, Wellens, or Wright as riders who are 'big guys/northern classics specialists," even if three of the four are tall.

Benoot's biggest win was Strade Bianche; he's also finished second at Paris-Nice, and has been on the podium at Amstel, San Sebastian, and Bretagne classic.  If you visit ProCyclingStats, Trentin and Wright do best in hilly races.  Wellens is not only a racer who does best in hilly races (he's won Montreal), he's won hilly stage races (tour de Wallonie, Ruta Del Sol) and climbing races.  

Ok JP 

Mark Taylor said:

Ok JP 

this makes me feel bad.

You have dragged me back in 😃
without going over pro cycling stats , but your examples ?
most wins Strade = Cancellara 
most wins Paris -Nice = Sean Kelly
Trying hard to remember a hilly race Fred Wright has done well in , best result is arguably 2nd in a long flat stage of the tour 

I walked by their boutique shop for a lunch walk the other day and all I know is that I can confirm they are as hideous in the shiny display case as they are tearing up the world champ's wrist.