procycling

Anyway, I agree with some of your points, but I still think technique and experience with racing and races is super important. Unless you’re a phenomenon, you won’t win races unless you race smart.

Yes, but most of the problematic cases we have seen in the last 5-10 years in that respect, were riders who came from other sports or from Zwift. Those who have been through the hectic races and pelotons of younger age categories and regional competitions generally adapt easily.

Concerning phenomenons, they already bar almost all major WT races 😃. This year, that will leave the Tour of Switzerland and the San-Sebastian classic; probably the Tour of Romandie too if Evenepoel keeps on sulking (but among those 3, 2 will probably fall in the hands of a phenomenon's lieutenant anyway 😃).

So that leaves most minor WT, and most .Pro races (but not all of them). Oh, and stages on major WT stages races, which are probably even easier; that is, when the Pog doesn't want them too...