Sure, a Tadej Pogačar Win Feels Inevitable—but Worlds Is Still Worth Watching
When the conversation shifts to the UCI Road World Championships, one name comes up repeatedly in 2024: Tadej Pogačar. With a string of monumental wins under his belt, the Slovenian sensation has solidified his place as a cycling icon. His consistent brilliance, versatility across terrains, and a seeming ability to conjure magic when it matters most make him the favorite to take the rainbow jersey. Yet, as inevitable as a Pogačar win might feel, there are many reasons why the World Championships remain must-watch.
While Pogačar is often in a class of his own, cycling’s beauty lies in its unpredictability. As in any high-stakes race, no rider can fully guarantee a win—especially not at Worlds, where a myriad of factors come into play. The race is a one-day affair, quite unlike the multi-stage races where Pogačar typically thrives by gaining time over his competitors. In one-day racing, any small mistake, crash, or tactical miscalculation can flip the script.
The 2023 World Championships in Glasgow showcased this perfectly. Mathieu van der Poel, against all odds, emerged victorious after a thrilling attack, proving that even in a race stacked with favorites, an unexpected champion can still arise. Just like van der Poel, any rider with a good day and sharp tactics could derail Pogačar’s ambitions.
This year’s course in Zurich will be brutal. It’s designed with sharp climbs, tight corners, and narrow streets that will test the bike-handling skills of the peloton. While this may suit Pogačar’s all-rounder abilities, it also opens the door for his competitors. Riders such as Remco Evenepoel, Wout van Aert, or Julian Alaphilippe, all explosive climbers and daring attackers, could challenge him in key moments. The risk of crashes, punctures, or mechanical issues can also be race-defining—no one is immune to the unexpected in cycling, not even Pogačar.
Cycling is constantly evolving, and with each passing season, new names emerge to challenge the old guard. While Pogačar may seem untouchable at times, riders like Tom Pidcock, Joao Almeida, and even rising star Matthew Riccitello could surprise the field with their audacity and hunger. These young riders are not intimidated by Pogačar’s dominance; instead, they see him as a benchmark to surpass.
Pidcock, in particular, has shown flashes of brilliance on courses that demand technical prowess and a blend of power and endurance. He is a cyclocross world champion and Olympic mountain bike champion, skills that could give him an edge on the punchy, twisting roads of Zurich. His ability to handle pressure and his knack for delivering in one-day races make him a dark horse for the win.
Moreover, veteran riders with nothing left to lose—like Peter Sagan in his last competitive road season—might pull out all the stops in an effort to add a final rainbow jersey to their legacy. Their experience, craftiness, and race intuition could see them position themselves ahead of the game at crucial moments.
While Pogačar’s individual talent is undeniable, the World Championships are as much about national teams as they are about individual prowess. Unlike races where teams work for a singular leader, Worlds often see internal dynamics playing a role. Pogačar’s Slovenia may boast a strong roster, but it’s not invincible, and their coordination will be crucial.
Other nations will be equally stacked. Belgium, for instance, will line up with multiple leaders, including Wout van Aert and Remco Evenepoel. They might attempt to isolate Pogačar by launching attacks from multiple angles. If Pogačar’s teammates falter, he could find himself chasing down moves on his own, wasting precious energy while his rivals wait to strike at the perfect moment.
France, with Alaphilippe and his stellar World Championship record, could also capitalize on teamwork and launch strategic moves early in the race. While Pogačar will have his own team, the ability of rival nations to cooperate and exploit weaknesses in his camp could tilt the scales against him.
It’s not just the physical demands that make the World Championships captivating—there’s an emotional intensity to winning the rainbow jersey. It is a symbol of ultimate success, one that transcends the sport itself. Riders pour everything into this race, knowing that a win crowns them as the best in the world for an entire year.
For Pogačar, who has already worn the yellow jersey in the Tour de France and claimed victories in Monuments like Liège-Bastogne-Liège and Il Lombardia, the rainbow jersey would be the ultimate accolade. But, that pressure cuts both ways. Every other rider on the start line will also be gunning for the same dream, and many of them have spent their careers preparing for this one race. Riders like Alaphilippe know what it takes to dig deep and find that extra gear when the world is watching.
The emotional toll can sometimes weigh down favorites. Cyclists like van Aert, who have been tipped for the title in the past but fell short, will return even more determined to fulfill their ambitions, potentially pushing themselves beyond their known limits.
Even if Pogačar does indeed storm to victory, watching him at his peak is something truly special. There are only a handful of athletes in any sport who make dominance look so effortless, and Pogačar is one of them. Every time he attacks, it’s as though the laws of physics momentarily bend in his favor. Fans know that they are witnessing greatness, the type that comes around only once in a generation.
His ride at the 2023 Il Lombardia, where he obliterated the competition, was a prime example of his genius. There was no second guessing, no hesitation—only pure, calculated aggression. When he is in form, Pogačar transcends the ordinary, making even the most difficult feats seem within reach. To witness that level of brilliance is part of the magic of cycling.
For many, seeing Pogačar claim the rainbow jersey would not feel like an anticlimax, but rather the culmination of his already illustrious career. It would be history in the making, and any fan of the sport would want to be there to witness it.
Yes, a Tadej Pogačar win at the UCI Road World Championships might feel inevitable. His form, talent, and ability to rise to the occasion suggest that it’s his race to lose. But that doesn’t mean the race is devoid of excitement or drama. The beauty of cycling is its inherent unpredictability, the constant clash between expectation and reality, the interplay of tactics, and the sheer willpower of its athletes.
There’s always room for surprises, and on any given day, a dark horse can emerge victorious. So, even if Pogačar’s name is on everyone’s lips, the World Championships in Zurich will remain an unmissable spectacle, offering fans all the twists and turns that make the sport so compelling.
