Andy McGrath, author of 'Unstoppable', joins us to unpick what makes Tadej Pogačar the greatest rider of this generation. We explore how he went from happy-go-lucky kebab-eating junior to obsessive champion, why his winter 2023 transformation was the turning point in his career, and whether there's any chink in his armour as rivals like Remco Evenepoel and Jonas Vingegaard circle.
Key Takeaways
- Pogačar's 2023 winter overhaul wasn't one change but 10 small ones—equipment, position, tyres, frame size, plus mental coaching with a Belgian sports psychologist he trained obsessively with, often past midnight
- Comparing riders across eras requires consistent metrics: look at monuments and Grand Tours, account for field depth and race distance (Merckx's 28-stage Tours vs modern 21), and factor in longevity—Pogačar's only 27
- Pogačar's greatest weakness may be his eagerness to race everything; burning out mentally or physically is more likely to derail him than any single rival, especially if he keeps targeting both the Tour and races like Paris-Roubaix
- UAE Team Emirates' success isn't just money—it's rider management under director Mauro Gianetti, who balances competing egos (like Solair) and keeps Pogačar as undisputed leader, a structure most teams can't replicate
- Vingegaard's 2022 Tour win exposed real weaknesses, but Pogačar's response shows champion mentality; however, Remco Evenepoel represents a longer-term threat with the arrival of coach Alan Peiper at Red Bull
Expert Quotes
"Excellence shouldn't be boring. It's not his fault that he's so dominant."
"When you hear him in his first 24 hours press conference after the crazy spectacular time trial on Planche des Belles Filles in 2020, you hear his level of English, his shyness, compared to now—he's way more candid and open and funny, occasionally spiky."
"I think you're confusing what I do. I get locked in a cage and I beat people until someone stops me for money. You might want to consider how much you weigh my opinion on these things. [Conor McGregor, referenced by the host on why we shouldn't expect athletes to be moral compasses]"