POGAČAR Wants to DECIMATE the TOUR DE FRANCE

[@harryleland9342]

Ok, seeing you and listening to your voice has me psyched for the Tour. Normally I don’t like to see a single rider dominating the field, but Tadej is different. A riders champion. We are blessed to see his riding every year.

[@LyfeisByke]

Garrett: “I bet you can’t say Possum 47 times.” Chris: “watch this!” All fun, appreciate the videos!

[@CM-id3gg]

Chris's new favorite word.

[@MahatMagandi93]

I took a shot every time you said "possum". it's gonna be a rough morning.

[@starkparker16]

Never go full possum. 🛋️🦋

[@fernandovega5722]

Maybe you should have picked a different word. 😂 Good luck with that bottle. 😅

[@bironbrunelle5186]

@@fernandovega5722. …. or bong.

[@bretttaylor9658]

There have been a few videos where "knucklehead" did me in.

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

Never play that game unless you are a professional. 😂😂😂😂 🍻👊🦋

[@tyresejackson9665]

This guy makes the TDF awesome! I'm not sure if I'm more excited about the event or Chris Horners commentary. 🎉

[@structuralengineering4558]

Possum ? A quick Google search and now I've happily learned about a small animal, an expression for playing dead, and a song by Phish. So much to learn.

[@stepintoourclassroom]

Now you have "possum" , "Knucklehead" and "Chesterfield" in your lexicon!

[@pauljansen1137]

Pogacar being the new Cannibal....it wouldn't surprise me if he tries to win 6 stages and the mountain jersey to go with that...and I absolutely love that mindset!!!!

[@stefanocavallin6221]

Probably this year he cant even win the White jersey so at least Yellow and pois. Next year Will try for the green

[@pauljansen1137]

@@stefanocavallin6221 Green is almost impossible if there are like 7 or 8 flat stages.....unless they change the point system for that Jersey....

[@tubetiz]

He might be the Cannibal because of the situation the other top riders were after that crash in Basque. His weak point is the Uae team and their tactics when the pressure is on them, they can’t control the peloton. This is The Tour, not Giro with the 2nd hand riders in there. Hell of a race coming up.

[@pauljansen1137]

@@tubetiz I agree with the Hell of a race part....he was the Cannibal before though....if you have 20 stages and 11 Jerseys in the Big Tours at age 25 you can claim that title, right?

[@paulstarstarpaul5700]

⁠@@tubetizThe UAE team is absolutely stacked. Even more than last year especially for the mountains. Almeida, Ayuso, Yates and Soler as Domestiques are incredible. Apart from Vizma there is probably no stronger team at the tour and even Vizma is only maybe stronger than UAE because Wout and Sepp Kuss are absolutely unbelievable. So controlling the peloton in the mountains can’t be the problem and the sports director just has to be competent tactically and the team will be alright.

[@swisstopia]

I love how the first stage is meaningful for the GC.

[@SurfingPunter]

Meaningless imo 15 sec gap absolute max

[@MarcoVogelsang-rt6di]

Yes but you can see the shape of Jonas

[@SurfingPunter]

@@MarcoVogelsang-rt6di can TT ok in 3rd week

[@MrWrob32]

I think Tadej will light it up at the start of the Tour, he knows that he has the opportunity to build a lead, before the other favourites can ride into form. Cime de la Bonnet at 2800m on stage 19, could be the decisive climb on this year's Tour. It's a climb that he could potentially lose a lot of time to Jonas. I really hope that there are no repeats, of the serious crashes we've seen so far this year and everyone gets through stage 9, unscathed.

[@FlyingPastilla]

Can he go hard and build a lead and sustain is with three other teams attacking him though ? One-two repeated attacks is what got him in 2022 so that looks like a dangerous game to play.

[@cjohnson3836]

@@FlyingPastilla That was when Primoz was working with Jonas. Won't be that way anymore. And Kuss is out due to Covid. Tadej has the strongest team this year and he's the only one not hurting. I don't he will be isolated like prior years.

[@bigwave_dave8468]

The first stage will be awesome if not brutal for anyone not on form. 45 debutantes, 3 riders you'd be crazy to bet against and a super-domestique back-bench with actual grand tour winners ..This is going to be good..:-)

[@cb6866]

Thanks Chris , and Garrett.

[@leomaduro8661]

One thing will never change: training is not the same as racing. Everybody can speculate all the way up too China, but this first stage will say where Vingegaard stands. I wish him well but it will not be easy; you cannot come to the Tour to train yourself into a winning position in the third week, the harm will be done by then.

[@tomsmith1059]

Couldn't agree more, just to add it's not just Vingo but the bulk of the squad who are not in good racing form with jorgenson being the only rider on Visma who has good racing form.

[@jenspetersen5865]

The job for Vingegaard is to not lose more than 2-3 minutes the first two weeks.

[@stevemarriott2788]

Excellent Chris. Anticipating a great tour. Thanks.

[@savagepro9060]

WIN-gegaard! The name says it all! His punctured lung was sealed immediately with Inner Lung Sealant! And his broken bones were exchanged with carbon fiber!

[@ptbot3294]

But can a bike win against pogtheCAR

[@mariyankolev4427]

@@savagepro9060 u need Jesus in your life

[@savagepro9060]

@@mariyankolev4427 I'm starting to like you . . . 🥰

[@tatynyakall7147]

No Kuss, no party.

[@sateshmahadeo4366]

VingeGod

[@christopherandstephaniehil5782]

Hopefully no crashes on day one…

[@Chiller11]

Absolutely!

[@realekm]

There will be crashes. It's tour De France and its part of bike racing.

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

🤞🦋👊

[@goatbloat8233]

Is the possum on the chesterfield with you right now? blink twice if so.

[@OrganicSearchStandards]

Chris, I can't wait for your TdF coverage!!

[@justlucky13]

Thanks Chris and Garrett!!!

[@geckokoomoa579]

Once again another great pre-race analysis Chris

[@andrewlabat9963]

I think the gap after stage one will let everybody else know, they're fighting for second place..

[@swisstopia]

Good morning from the Swiss Alps. Thanks Chris and Garrett! 🇨🇭🦋👊

[@marshallalexander4329]

Pogi's TdF strategy will be identical to the Giro. Smash early and smash hard. Let everyone else fight for the podium and GC spots. Stage one will have plenty of fireworks and plenty of folks blowing up. Only one question remains. How much time will Pogi be in the lead on Stage 21?

[@meibing4912]

Stage 1 is set to be the most exciting opening stage of the TDF ever. Anything less than 1 min loss is a win for Vingegaard. They all know it. UAE will of course do everything to crush Vingegaard on the day. Imagine Pogi taking off alone 15 km from goal if Vingegaard is still hanging in. A fair 1.st stage win with additional time bonuses the following days could widen the gap down to Vingegaard a lot - so worth going for if you are Pogi. If Vingegaard does not get dropped UAE will have to reevaluate their entire game plan.

[@casperandersen5836]

It's especially common in the phrase "playing possum," which refers to the possum's involuntary reaction to fear or harm, falling into a death-like faint, and also to a person who pretends to be innocent. So you might accuse your younger brother, as he shrugs when you ask who ate the last brownie, of playing possum.

[@abdotemo26]

You are the best❤

[@samcooke2742]

What about "My man, Victor Campenaert?" No possum in that rider.

[@erichgerber251]

I miss “my man, Victor Campenaert” 😂

[@recrevs963]

Just watched his preparation video for Sierra Nevada.

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

My Man Camp will be there 👊🦋🇫🇷

[@steadster6572]

Next year he will be leading Jonas into the climbs

[@dawnc5797]

​@@recrevs963I did too. Good stuff there.

[@KyleLasVegas1]

Awesome stuff Chris. You have me pumped to see Stage 1. Should be really interesting. How much of a difference do you think it's going to make for Jonas to not have Sepp Kuss?

[@snobroadies]

It’s last few stages which seems like could be a turnaround for anyone. We’ve seen Roglic just loosing it again in the Dauphine this year. Could happen to pogi too, he may be in the jersey all through and if he fades away too much trying to win everything and anything even if he’s not gaining much then it could be an interesting finish. Unless off course he’s planning to decimate the guys one two stages build a 2min plus lead and then just quietly sit there not doing his usual “follow everyone “ moves then things could get interesting to see his other tactical side

[@monicahernandez485]

Story time?? Yes please! Love the insight into the possible beginning of the tour. Can't wait to see them duke it out. I really hope everyone, especially the top 10 riders, are on fantastic form. I don't want a blowout type TDF. I am here for the drama!

[@slayer6936]

With the first 2 stages like they are, we will see who is ready to fight for the yellow jersey. The other top riders can't afford to lose any time from Pog. The night before the first stage of the TDF for me was like when i was a kid the night before Christmas, i can't sleep at all. I've been training for the TDF because i ride 25 miles on my cyclops and watch the TDF while training, and u only take the rest days off and I've been doing this for the last 5 years and at 63 its getting a little harder each year because you can't coast..Great job Chris. 🤜🤛👍

[@CaioCuba]

that is awesome!

[@slayer6936]

@CaioCuba last year, I did 20 miles a stage and am stepping it up to 25 miles a race, so I'm shooting for over 500 miles this year..

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

Good luck 🍀👍 I too watch some serious bike racing in Zwift. 👊🦋

[@wsbygt]

Visma isnt that beast that could afford to gang up on Tadej anymore. I´m going with a very easy win for Tadej! TdF never disappoints though!

[@dylangrantz8124]

Exactly they got weak. Infact they were being tested by everyone is why that huge crash even happened. Years before they could muscle the race not now Pog is gonna smoke everyone in stage one

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

🔥🇫🇷🦋👊

[@christopheralix8554]

Plus UAE is gonna bring 5 or so climbers. No one is gonna be able to play those games with TP when he’s surrounded on the climbs. They are gonna bring the pain. JV, if he is weak, this will put a finger in the bullet wound.

[@dcrunicycles]

Thank you Chris for 1st stage importance with analysis . In the giro I think pog wanted to wear pink from start to finish. TDF Yellow from day one to 21. Stage 1, what a show it will be.

[@professorzig8631]

@Chris Horner what is your opinion on Simon Yeates. I think he can surprise

[@arniemejia]

Spot on.

[@adamgaisser1875]

If Pogacar has the lead going into the final 4 stages but then starts to fade with the Giro and too much energy expended in the first two weeks of the Tour in his legs how much time do you think he can loose on those final stages? If he blew on Bonette then what happens? This dream scenario could make the end of the tour very interesting. A slightly fading Poggi with a growing in form Jonas and Roglic there as well. Is a high altitude stage in really hot temps his kryptonite.

[@JosesAmazingWorlds]

So, do you think Pogacar can push 7 watts per kilo?

[@gabrielshansen]

JV isn't afraid of losing a little time on TP (say,

[@goatbloat8233]

I personally have enjoyed the boring first few stages where we see some unlikely break-aways win some stages and get some jerseys. It encourages some aggressive rides and helps give some lesser names the big stage a bit.

[@Tommy31416]

I live in Rimini. The descent after Barbotto is incredibly fast with big sweeping bends that open on the exit. It’s going to be interesting to see if Remco has the bottle to stay with the leaders. They’ll be doing 100km/hr. That descent and the climb to San Leo immediately afterwards will decide the stage

[@stevemawer848]

One for Tom Pidcock, then? 🙂

[@Tommy31416]

@@stevemawer848 great shout - no idea what his form is like, but this terrain will suit him perfectly 👍🏻

[@BDKennels]

Story Time! Yes please.

[@alssupersadgarden]

it just takes all the drama and excitement outta cycling when you get these guys so drugged up they decimate all non-drugged competition....look what he did to Quintana...that was not normal.

[@alssupersadgarden]

... and Quintana is the one accused of taking tramadol..a mild pain-reliever.

[@charles9215]

Chris talk about some scenarios for some of the other gc favorites and top domestiques

[@thecellulontriptometer4166]

If Pogacar does have a weakness, it's his seeming inability to let things go and not push himself to win anything he can even if it does not make sense to do so. To some extent it is what makes him a great champion. But, I still remember 2022 TDF where Roglic, Van Aert, and finally Vingegaard attacked forcing him to follow each one until he did not have enough left to follow the final attack. If they can do it, that is what teams must do if they have a hope. Also wishing every single rider a safe race.

[@Chiller11]

UAE is a stronger team than Pogacar’s team then and Visma is weaker so that scenario is less likely I think.

[@thecellulontriptometer4166]

@@Chiller11You're right about that.

[@mikhailway]

Although it would be very entertaining to see Roglic and Jonas ‘team up’ again to take down Pog even if they are no longer on the same team.

[@jenspetersen5865]

His flaw there was not to concentrate on Vingegaard given that Roglic had already lost significantly

[@Calabria23]

Pog and Rog will crack Jonas

[@alannohlgren]

Fascinating commentary. I tend to agree, that our Slovenian hero will lay down the marker early on...the other pretenders will have to find a way to compensate, but it won't be easy, given Tadej's form. But who knows? Anything is possible!

[@tomdzikowski2261]

can someone of your nativ speakers please explain what " playing Posum" means ? Is it Posum like the Animal ? thx in advance😃

[@erichgerber251]

"Play possum" is an idiom that means to pretend to be inactive, asleep, or dead in order to avoid something or to deceive someone. The expression originates from the behavior of opossums, which often "play dead" when threatened by predators to avoid being attacked. In a figurative sense, it can be used to describe someone who is feigning ignorance, indifference, or avoidance to escape a difficult situation or to trick others.

[@lowliquidity]

Pretending that you are dead, not a danger to anyone. Something that the animal Opossum will do to survive.

[@Frostbiker]

Yes, he means playing possum like the animal. In this context, playing possum is trying to hide how strong they are. If UAE/Pogačar attack on stage 1, the other GC contenders have to do their best to stay on his wheel, otherwise they will lose a lot of time. I found his argument convincing.

[@Chiller11]

@@erichgerber251 That’s an Oxford level definition.

[@tomdzikowski2261]

nice , that makes sense, thanks folks

[@NikoSaario]

Intresting first stage coming

[@user-sj1hz9qw3e]

Fly in ointment will be jorgensen sitting on tp and re or tp and jv with jv sitting on jorgenson

[@EMC2Scotia]

This is I would say is the consensus as to what we will see on stage 1. TP would be crazy not to at least see if he can eliminate JV as early as possible. It reminds me of Lemond taking 2 mins out of everyone on day 1 of the 1991 TDF. You strike hard and strike early before you let your rivals work there way into the race.

[@mracer8]

Talk about Decimate, his honey Urska just win Slovenian women national championship race by over 10 minute!

[@333wheeler]

Stage 1 is tough but i reckon it will just be the sprinters that get ejected and the big players will mostly be engaged in a bit of cat and mouse without fully unloading .

[@edwinwong9547]

Question: in the lead up to the TdF, do director sportifs get on the phone and cut side deals to help each other out on certain stages?

[@mtelectrical8068]

Great content Chris, I think and agree that tadej and remco will undoubtedly light things up on stage 1 and 2.

[@mikeoc217]

He's Gonna 👍🏻🚵‍♀️💯🇸🇮

[@realekm]

It’s the Tour de France. Nothing always goes the way you want it. Surprises are bound to happen

[@suisinghoraceho2403]

When you are on Pogacar’s wheel, you don’t pull to get a bigger time gap (you won’t), you pull to convince him you are game and to make it worth his while keeping you around a little bit longer. The Possum of the peloton Carapaz learnt that the hard way in 2021. A shame he never had the opportunity or form to use that knowledge again.

[@mokasusa]

Remco did not attend Belgian Nationals due to sickness... Ben Occonor is not on the list yet. Why?

[@HugoB32]

I think a better title for this Beyond The Coverage would have been "Who should play POSSUM?"😂 Tried to count the "play possum" but I stopped when I realized that I didn't have enough space on my sheet of paper for the tally marks. Amazing video Chris as always keep us pumped up till Saturday 🤘👍

[@stevemawer848]

Or at least "disintegrate" (shatter into pieces) rather than "decimate" (reduce by 10%). [/pedant]

[@emilioaugusto8394]

Of the four favorites, Tadej is the only one starting the tour without pressure, even though he said he is racing for the double. the other three, especially Jonas, start with distrust weighing on their shoulders... I believe that, if Pog wins the tour, it will be due to the lack of strength of his rivals - which would tarnish his incredible achievement, in the same way as happened in the giro d'Itália... I hope that Primos runs again like he used to, that's who I'm rooting for.

[@jenspetersen5865]

On the other hand, if Vingegaard beats him again it will tarnish his reputation as the new Eddie Mercx, as it is a major stain that you will all the races that your chief rival does try for. As it looks right now Vingegaard is the better grand tour rider, but they are really close. Pogacar seems to be able to take 10-30 seconds regularly on JV, and then looses minutes on other stages in week 3.

[@breencessm3440]

Could someone kindly explain me the whole "team A should work with team B against team C" whats the logic behind that and after they crack team C then what?? They both want to win,no? Does the alliance die after?

[@leoturgenov7440]

Yes, I think that’s the basic idea. Form an alliance to defeat your mutual enemy team c, but once that has been accomplished the truce is over and team a and b go back to fighting each other

[@mariyankolev4427]

i like how Cris is waiting the football game to end to upload the video 😂

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

I started today with one idea of a video and then threw it out and came up with this one last minute. 😂🦋👊

[@savagepro9060]

@mariyankolev My love, you need Jesus and the 12 Apostles in your life

[@martinbrinkmoller7396]

Would it be a knuckle head move to go in a break away day1 of the TdF if you are not in one of the teams with one of the 4 favorites?

[@CM-id3gg]

Which of the 4 has the highest Vo2 max ?

[@metallica2500]

Totally agree

[@dotherightthingbro]

Holey molely 4 days to go. Fingers crossed that Chris does a video on all the stages before the TDF starts cause that would give a guy like me a clue on what to expect. Stage 1 sounds like a GC stage but who knows. The excitement builds 💪

[@TonyTonyCurrie]

What could make the TDF even more special ? Mr Chris doing the commentary.

[@jcoul1sc]

Dont know if he physically can do it and he is young still . Tdf is not the other races. Using 165mm cranks instead of 180mm cranks, over 100mile race it gives a 4min advantage. Pogocar has switched to 165mm this year. Big marginal gan according to chatgpt analysis. But that doesnt inckude mountaibs with little aero advantage

[@10ktube]

If UAE decides to light it up stage one, and Jonas can't respond, I'm curious if and when Jumbo pull the plug and switch to Kuss for GC or if he's on lieutenant duty no matter what.

[@uffejohansen4315]

What we have seen until now this season, I think Jorgensen is better alternative for GC. On the other hand that 3rd week is a killer.

[@stevemawer848]

Jumbo isn't in the Tour. Do keep up! 🙂

[@dawnc5797]

It wouldn't be Kuss. He's been battling sickness and his form has been lacking all season so far. Plus, as far as I understand it, he's going to defend his red jersey in the Vuelta so he has to save himself for that. I could see him helping Matty J if Jonas becomes a non-factor in the TdF. Time will tell.

[@endaohalloran6649]

I wonder if Jonas gets dropped by Pogs attack and other favourites can follow, should Visma tell Jorgenson to follow Pog if he can or wait with Jonas?

[@stefanocavallin6221]

Go with pog. If he drop in this stage i dont think he stand a chance at winning and probably can be helped by other. Depend Aldo where he drop, maybe of he drop only on the last climb you can work and came back on the last 15 km but of he drop before that no chance at all

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

That’s a nightmare scenario for Visma. I would seriously need some inside training power numbers from their Tignes camp. Some radio chatter of how stage one was going and then especially how close to the summit is Jonas when he’s getting dropped. But the short answer right now with zero viewing of Jonas before stage one starts. I would say Jorg stays with Jonas if Jonas only will lose a minute at the end of the stage and assuming Jonas had some kind of descent power at camp the week before the TdF started. If not Jorg goes with Pogi and sits a lot on Pogi. Only working enough to win the stage if it doesn’t give Pogi a lot of GC time on the others. But remember maybe Jonas is sitting on Remco and Roglic behind while those two are pulling like crazy to bring back Pogi and Jorg. Then Jorg has to pull super hard with Pogi but not really so hard that he can’t beat Pogi at the finish or that Pogi gains a ton of time at the finish. Just enough that Jorg can win and Jonas can sit behind in the wheels. Crazy complicated, right 🤔😲🤪😜🦋💪👊🇫🇷🔥

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

What a video I can make of this question!!!! 🎥👊🦋

[@schattelux4827]

No kuss, no cry

[@arklat]

Fortunately, races can't be decided by power meters. On the road, factors seen, and unseen, can affect results. With the charmed season Pog has had, it looks like game over. But, punctures, mechanicals, falls, illness, and team politics, could all influence the victor All cycling fans hope for all the racers to be in top form. We also hope for the safety of all participants. Vive' Le Grand Departe'!

[@joechera4419]

I just read elsewhere that Sepp Kuss has dropped due to illness(?). How will that affect Jonas’ chances?

[@joelronningen9930]

Story time, yeah!🎉🦋👊🦋🥤🍫🍿

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

📖🦋👊

[@christopheralix8554]

Might as well make this season going all out!!

[@kamolhengkiatisak1527]

I agree that Tadej will blast the field on stage one, but I don't think that Remco will work Tadej, nor the other two if they could follow Tadej on the last climb. He will suck the wheels as he is still not 100% after the crash.

[@christian334]

I just want the GC to still be competitive going into the third week. Is that too much to ask?

[@FlyingPastilla]

The problem with Pogacar and UAE attacking hard on the first stage is he'll spend the whole tour defending. May not be a bad strategy the previous years but here there are three other competitive teams. It seems smarter to let someone else lead for a bit, wear one team out, follow the attacks and maybe let another team lead for a couple of days and then smash it hard on a targeted stage and take several minutes on other favorites. Pogacar's problem is going too hard too often, full gas from stage 1 looks like his usual trap.

[@mmgerotto]

Everyhting has to be focus for the riders Background scene of Pidcock competing in the MTB world cup and Pogačar doing some goffy stuff 🤣🤣

[@Chiller11]

I do like your take. It seems to me that Tadej Pogacar is the most likely of the 4 favourites to be 100% at the start of stage 1. If any or all of the other 3 are less than peak form it only makes sense for Pogacar to gain time on them before they round into top shape later in the tour. If I were running UAE I would challenge the other teams from day 1. Should be an interesting tour. I’ve decided I’m pulling for Pogacar. I’m still a bit miffed at Vingegaard and Roglic for attacking Sepp Kuss at last year’s Vuelta.

[@BKKLB]

I think the way the stages are set up this year.... Pogacar could kill the game by the end of the first week. Last two years Visma had a better team with stronger domestiques and Wout who did a ton of work in the last tour to isolate Tadej in the mountains. UAE have learned their lessons and have a much stronger team now. I hope so. It would be a beautiful thing to see Tadej take the pink and yellow jerseys in 2024.

[@paulaguirre8019]

Chris, What do make of this Quote from Tiesj Benoot "No-one from the Team dares to bet money on the fact that Jonas will make the podium" sand bag or?

[@stevemawer848]

Maybe they just don't like gambling?

[@gnomevoyeur]

I just really want to see Primoz win. It's probably part of my DNA to support the underdog. In previous eras, I really wanted to see Quintana beat Froome and Ulrich beat Armstrong. If Roglic doesn't win the TdF, he will finish on the same agonizing record of Giro and Vuelta wins but only 2nd in the big one that Nairo seems to be doomed to. Both cases feel like such a disappointment for such natural talent. In my coulda, woulda, shoulda universe, Movistar should never have cotton-woolled Nairo after his 2nd place finish. He may well have stayed upright when Froome fell down and beaten Vincenzo.. Deep in my gut, Nairo ( a bit less so) but especially Primoz feel like better cyclists than Nibali, who seems to be the luckiest member of the club to win all three GCs.

[@danshort10]

Do you really think Pogi could get a big enough gap that Jonas couldn’t make it up throughout the next 20 stages? If Jonas continues to improve form I think he can make it up in the mountains and on the final TT. In the heat under pressure we have seen Pogi have issues. Though that could be fueling issues and not form issues

[@luiscolon921]

Jonas suffered the worst of the three. His goal is to survive the first two weeks and hope not to lose too much time. He is by far the most durable and consistent of the four over 21 days. Even in 21 when he came in as a domestique and placed second overall, he matched Tadej over the 3rd week, dropped him on the queen stage and edged him out on the time trial.

[@ryanphelan6861]

Tadaej had tour won by five minutes he was trying to avoid complications in 2021 stage 20. Ventoux wasn't queen stage, the itt they all went full gas tadaej beat wout,kung,vdp. Last year tadaej was coming off surgery and 2022 he had two teammates. Jonas had no team in 2021 but he didn't stay with tadaej on luz or other summit finish in third week but tadaej liked him and not carapaz fan most aren't. He rode really well but he did all season basque country especially he followed tadaej after primoz made winning move. This year tadaej rode his monument season as usual he's clearly favorite sickness and accidents aside. This is first year tadej has as strong a team even 2021 the remaining jumbo riders were as strong as uae rag tag bunch. Enjoy tour hope Jonas does well it was rotten descent they should have never had taken. Fd up whole tour dynamic which is huge shame these four all have different strengths

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

Yes. I agree. Jonas has been the most steady of the four GC favorites. 🤔🦋👊

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

Day in and day out 🤔🦋👊

[@alexm.7254]

Remco pulling with pog and dropping Jonas? 😂😂

[@davekandersen]

Stage 1 should be interesting! Will Jonas be good, can he hang or excel? Will Sepp be good? Mateo and teammates will be important. Fingers crossed!

[@leoturgenov7440]

Based on his recent strava rides, it looks like Matteo is absolutely flying right now!

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

🔥🇫🇷👊🦋

[@stuartwalker6786]

Pogacar WILL dominate...... IF he controls his natural instinct and racing style (which cost him 2022 edition!), he has to combat his biggest rival to win, HIMSELF!!, If he races smart, he could theoretically (if it's on his radar!) become the first person in history to win all 3 grand tours in the same season. However if I was betting my house on it, there is NOWAY he will race conservatively. 🤣🤣🤣

[@Zek_Ken]

I was just recommended an NBC video titled "Beyond the Podium" and almost mistook it for an extra episode of this. Quite the coincidence, I'm sure NBC will explain more on an episode of the dragonfly effect.

[@stevemawer848]

Such an episode may fly. 🙂

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

👊😂😂🦋

[@dtmateo]

Bold prediction: Pogacar is gonna pocket the yellow jersey on stage 4. He will put 5mins on every GC contenders up the Galibier and descend solo to the finish.

[@ginyamaguchi1421]

With Pogacar being so strong, will the other teams work together against UAE?

[@hannahzhang7849]

Would you please do a live show during one of TDF stages ?

[@louisfourie800]

Pogacar gonna do a sante marie on stage 1😂🤞🏻

[@bikeskimawk670]

Can the Tour be lost on stage one? A bit more insight please.

[@jaa89623]

Awesome opossum.

[@amandipuppal2191]

Pog will catch the other possums out and do a 70-80km solo to the line! 😮

[@jamegumm]

I just noticed that Chris doesn’t address the riders by the first or surname only ……

[@humprey2]

It's the sign of politeness and respect. You know, this ancient old fashioned thing nobody uses anymore these days... 😅

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

I like to use both unless the rider has a really long name. When I use both it’s very clear who I am talking about, respectful to the rider, allows enough time if we are displaying a picture at that moment you can study the picture, and last but very important for me is that the extra name allows my mind to go on autopilot at that moment while I arrange the story in my head (I have a hundred things in my head during the making of a video) I can figure out how to blend the next thoughts into the video so that you enjoy the delivery of the story. 🤔🦋👊

[@danmc7815]

The strategy is not really when and when not to play possum (hide your form and act weaker), but when and when not to attack. If I am UAE or Red Bull-Bora, attack hard in the early stages to put Vingegaard and Evanepoel minutes behind before they can ride themselves into prime condition. If I am Evanepoel, I keep my powder dry and try to just follow the attacks. Same with Vingegaard, but Vingegaard should also rest his team, use them only for support, not riding the front, until he reaches too form, and hope he does. Evanepoel could win by following wheels and winning the ITTs.

[@ottawamountainman]

There’s a possum meme in the making here; may be even a remix ❤

[@scninja07]

Tadej will have a challenge if Jonas is near top form. I think Tadej has not historically handled the heat well. Remco needs to prove he can do a top-flight competitive three week race and not have at least one day where he blows up.

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

🦋👊🤞

[@kb31542]

The TdF can be competitive if the ‘other 3’ choose to work with each other and get their form back as Tadej keeps lighting them up and they limit damage by working together. Could make the last week interesting! Having said that, I hope they don’t, I want Tadej to dominate and win the whole thing by half an hour, ok 10 minutes.

[@qingyuhu]

Pogacar can hold 556 watts one handed and probably still in his zone 2, completely a different level even compared to other pros.

[@ottawamountainman]

From OpenAI: In cycling, the expression "play possum" refers to a strategy where a rider pretends to be weaker or more fatigued than they actually are. By doing this, the rider aims to deceive their competitors into underestimating their strength or potential to attack later in the race. At a critical moment, the rider can then use their conserved energy to make a decisive move, such as breaking away from the peloton or sprinting to the finish. This tactic relies on psychological manipulation and careful energy management.