French pundit argues Pedersen is reaching level of Tadej Pogacar and Mathieu van der Poel - "For weeks, Mads has been constantly challenging the two geniuses"

Vingo is criticized because he uses every excuse possible to avoid racing (not because of training in altitude camp). Perhaps because he doesn't really like cycling, for him is just a job. If he can avoid racing, he does.

I am with Vingo on this one. Life isn't just about cycling. Though as a cycling fan, I hope to see him go head to head with Pogi. But cycling is a dangerous sport and if he wants to lessen his exposure to danger, I can totally empathize with him.

Vingo's case, more than a desire to be with his family, it seems to be fear of racing and crashing. Yes, cycling is a very dangerous sport; you have to have a lot of confidence, otherwise, it won't be long before the rider gives up. The retirement out of fear starts avoiding running, considering EVERYTHING extremely dangerous, even climbing Montmartre. If Vingo doesn't win again the Tour this year, probably his retirement is near.

Nobody ever complained about Froome doing nothing but stage races once he realised he’d NEVER get a result in one-day stuff? Why the different standards?

Some people are just mature and stubborn enough to stay within their personal limits despite outside pressure, when you don’t, you end up like Senna, is that what spectators want to provoke with their « demands » on athletes?

I think it is because outliers like Tadej and Remco buck the trend. They can ride one day race and GC well and people start to compare and expect the same thing of him, which is understandable.

Yeah, people, full of expectations, but what are THEY providing? And do THEY live up to others’? Seems part of modern cowardice, if you can’t take out your frustrations in your own life on those you consider responsible, start hitting on someone completely innocent.

Hahaha, it's okay for fans to expect, but the athlete doesn't need to comply with expectation. It's good that Vingo stands his ground. Otherwise, he'll be crushed under expectation like Wout did earlier in the spring. I kind of enjoy current generation of cyclists because they know what is important outside of cycling. That keep them grounded, unlike the previous generation which wasn't too unfriendly with each other off the bike.

Senna? Fortunately, the vast majority of cyclists and racers are all alive and well, even the most adventurous. There's no need to come out and defend Jonas (and thus indirectly diminish the others) because no one attacks him. I'm simply describing his behavior and describing how those who are afraid of racing usually finish the career. That's all.

Let's hope that's not the case. If he retires early, then it may be an era of infighting within UAE.

noooo, no more. No one expect one day race. Lately, he doesn't even race 1 week tours. It's a fact. I don't understand why his fans get so upset about the description of facts.

You’re absolutely right but that doesn’t mean « fans » should have the right to behave with total impunity and have the excuse of remaining ignorant about the consequences of their actions. If we all agree that collective pressure can be damaging then we must also accept that each of us risks being a contributor if we don’t reflect on how we act. It’s always easy to say it wasn’t me, but then who was it that applied the pressure? It starts with an event commented by enough fans, pundits and critics which gives media an excuse to amplify and search for a broader base for discussion and when that occurs, the entourage starts reacting and eventually the athlete notices too and changes their natural attitude. This leads me on to a new topic I was thinking about, when riders dedicate a performance or win to a certain event that they say inspired them, like Verona riding for Cicco. That basically implies that when there isn’t some specific occasion (family birthday or death, injured team mate, etc.) these guys don’t feel line, manage to push themselves to their limit? Or is it just because there’s little else of interest to say at such a moment?

Sorry Maria but you’ll have to do better than that, show with facts that he’s racing less one weekers ( except obviously in the direct reasonable time after injury). I am not particularly a fan of his, he’s not on my podium of current riders, it serms more you are an anti-fan.

I thought his recent absence from 1 week tours were due to the concussion delaying his build up. I don't see how that is considered avoidance. He's going head to head with Tadej in Dauphine soon.