In a sport where strategy and timing are key, one moment in particular stands out for Mathieu van der Poel as a significant and daring display of pure audacity: Tadej Pogačar’s 100km attack during a critical stage. In a recent reflection, Van der Poel opened up about how he initially thought Pogačar’s bold move was a major misstep, something that might cost him the title. Little did he know, it would become one of the most iconic moments in modern cycling.
As a rider known for his own daring exploits, Mathieu van der Poel is not easily surprised. His style is aggressive, often relying on well-timed attacks and a finely tuned sense of race dynamics. However, even for him, Pogačar’s decision to go for a solo break with 100km left in the race left him questioning the Slovenian’s tactics.
“I actually thought he was throwing away his chances of the world title,” Van der Poel recalled. “When you’re in a race like that, with all the pressure and the stakes so high, it’s almost unheard of to make a move that early. I’ve seen riders gamble before, but this felt different.”
For most cyclists, a solo attack from such a distance would almost certainly spell disaster. It’s not just the physical strain of maintaining that kind of effort over such a long stretch, but also the mental challenge of sustaining belief in a breakaway when the peloton is still a force behind you. Pogačar’s attack seemed to defy all of that.
Van der Poel, who has shared the road with Pogačar on numerous occasions, knows the Slovenian is a rider who takes risks. But even for someone as talented as Pogačar, the move seemed overly ambitious. Cycling is often about conserving energy for the right moment, a balance between knowing when to attack and when to hold back. The most successful riders are usually the ones who read the race and wait for the perfect opportunity to strike.
“When Tadej attacked, I remember thinking, ‘Why now?’ There were still so many kilometers to go, and the terrain wasn’t particularly favorable for a long solo effort. You had climbs coming up, but also stretches where the peloton could easily reel him back in if they decided to push,” Van der Poel explained.
At the time, it seemed as though Pogačar had made a rash decision that could cost him the race, maybe even the entire season. But Van der Poel, like the rest of the peloton, underestimated just how much the Slovenian could endure and how determined he was to prove himself.
As the attack unfolded, the tension within the peloton grew. Van der Poel and his fellow riders began to question how they should respond. A long-range attack like that could either be ignored, assuming it would eventually fizzle out, or it could force the rest of the pack into an aggressive chase. Either way, Pogačar was dictating the terms of the race, which in itself was impressive.
“You could see everyone looking at each other, waiting for someone to take the lead in closing the gap. But nobody wanted to commit. That’s the thing with a move like that—it forces the entire group to react, and nobody wants to be the one to waste energy too early. It was a classic mind game,” said Van der Poel.
This hesitation in the peloton allowed Pogačar to extend his lead. Kilometer by kilometer, he seemed to grow stronger, defying expectations. The gap didn’t close; it only widened. Soon, what seemed like a reckless gamble started to look like a masterstroke.
Van der Poel admitted that it wasn’t until much later in the race that he began to realize Pogačar might just pull off the impossible. The energy that the Slovenian displayed even after such a prolonged effort was something rare, a testament to his extraordinary conditioning and mental toughness.
“At a certain point, you realize he’s not slowing down. That’s when it hit me—this wasn’t a mistake; this was genius. It takes an immense amount of confidence and strength to make a move like that, and to sustain it is almost superhuman,” Van der Poel reflected.
By the time the peloton mounted a serious effort to close the gap, it was too late. Pogačar had built a lead that was practically insurmountable. The pack, including Van der Poel, could only chase in vain as the Slovenian powered his way to one of the most remarkable victories in recent memory.
For Van der Poel and many others, Pogačar’s 100km attack set a new standard for audacious riding. It wasn’t just about physical strength, but the mental fortitude to believe in a strategy that defied conventional wisdom. The move will undoubtedly be analyzed for years to come as a turning point in modern cycling tactics.
“Tadej redefined what’s possible. He didn’t just win that race; he changed the way we think about racing. It was a reminder that sometimes, you have to throw caution to the wind and believe in your ability, even when the odds are stacked against you,” Van der Poel said.
In a sport where margins are often razor-thin, and races are won or lost based on split-second decisions, Pogačar’s victory was a bold statement that there is still room for risk and daring. Van der Poel, a rider who has built his career on aggressive racing, can certainly appreciate that.
“I’ve always believed in attacking, in taking the race by the horns. But Tadej took that to a whole new level. It’s something that will stick with me—and with the rest of the cycling world—for a long time.”
Mathieu van der Poel’s initial reaction to Tadej Pogačar’s attack—a mix of shock and disbelief—mirrored what many cycling fans and pundits felt. It seemed reckless, a move that could easily have backfired. But instead, it became a defining moment in Pogačar’s career and in the history of the sport. As Van der Poel watched from behind, he, like the rest of the world, came to realize that he was witnessing something extraordinary: a rare convergence of talent, determination, and sheer belief.
For Van der Poel, the lesson is clear—sometimes, even in the most calculated sport, it’s the boldest moves that make history.
