Bike Racing

[Graham Breeze]

The evidence points towards less specialism: Pogačar has won two Tour de Frances, two Tirreno-Adriaticos and one Paris-Nice. He has also won 7 classic races, and he is still only 24. Remco Evenpoel has won the Vuelta a España and 5 classic races, and is only 23. And then there is Wout van Aert, who despite doing a colossal amount of heavy-lifting for Jumbo-Visma has won the Tour of Britain and 5 classics.

I was surprised that Pogačar even started this Tour de France, after missing so much training and racing. I would not expect him to be at his best, but he's still 49 minutes ahead of Pidcock in the GC

He's a local lad and all...but I'm not yet convinced by Pidcock.

We don't know yet if he has the strength for the third week, we don't know if he will give up easy victories like MTB,... The most successful recent Tour riders have been those for who it was that or nothing: Armstrong, Indurain,Froome.

At his age I don't think Pidcock will willingly limit his options to the Tour when victory is always a hostage to fortune and by the time he makes his mind up there might be another Pogacar champing at the bit.

The days of Cadel Evans winning as a Vet 50 are gone.