Van der Poel and Vingegaard No Longer Seen as Threats: L’Équipe Questions if Anyone Can Challenge Tadej Pogačar’s Dominance
In the world of professional cycling, few names have generated as much discussion, admiration, and speculation as Tadej Pogačar. The Slovenian sensation, who has already cemented his status as one of the greatest riders of his generation, continues to raise the bar with each race. After securing his fourth consecutive victory at Il Lombardia and showcasing his unmatched versatility in both stage races and classics, the cycling world is left to wonder: Is there anyone left who can truly challenge Pogačar?
This question, posed recently by the renowned French sports newspaper *L’Équipe*, has sent ripples through the cycling community. Riders who were once considered strong rivals to Pogačar, including the likes of Mathieu van der Poel and Jonas Vingegaard, are now being scrutinized under a new lens. *L’Équipe* has raised doubts about whether even these two top-tier cyclists can continue to be seen as legitimate competitors to the all-conquering Slovenian.
### Pogačar’s Meteoric Rise: A Phenomenon in Cycling
Tadej Pogačar burst onto the professional cycling scene in 2019 when he became the youngest rider to finish on the podium of a Grand Tour in more than 40 years. That third-place finish in the Vuelta a España signaled the arrival of a new superstar. Just a year later, Pogačar stunned the world by winning his first Tour de France at the age of 21, becoming the youngest champion since 1904. His audacious attack on the penultimate stage, which snatched the yellow jersey from his fellow countryman Primož Roglič, instantly became one of the most memorable moments in Tour de France history.
Pogačar’s second Tour de France win in 2021 further solidified his reputation as a rider for the ages. His ability to dominate in the mountains, excel in time trials, and hold his own in one-day classics made him one of the most versatile and feared riders in the peloton. In addition to his Grand Tour success, Pogačar has shown incredible adaptability, winning monuments like Liège-Bastogne-Liège and Il Lombardia, and claiming stages in races that range from week-long stage races to single-day epics.
What makes Pogačar even more remarkable is his relentless consistency. Unlike many riders who focus solely on one type of race, Pogačar has excelled across all disciplines of road racing, becoming a dominant force in Grand Tours, classics, and stage races alike. This versatility, combined with his insatiable drive to win, has left many wondering if anyone can keep pace with the Slovenian star.
### Mathieu van der Poel: The All-Rounder Facing an Uphill Battle
Mathieu van der Poel, one of the most exciting talents in cycling, was once seen as a serious rival to Pogačar. The Dutch rider, who excels in both road racing and cyclocross, is known for his explosive power and fearless attacking style. Van der Poel has won some of the most prestigious races in cycling, including the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix, and is regarded as one of the best one-day racers of his generation.
However, despite his undeniable talent, van der Poel’s path to consistently challenging Pogačar has proven to be a difficult one. While van der Poel’s ability to win on the cobblestones and in hilly classics is unmatched, he has struggled in longer stage races where endurance, climbing, and time-trialing play a more significant role. Pogačar’s mastery of these areas makes him a more complete rider, leaving van der Poel with fewer opportunities to compete head-to-head with the Slovenian in races like the Tour de France or Il Lombardia.
Van der Poel’s focus on classics and cyclocross has also meant that his calendar rarely overlaps with Pogačar’s during major stage races, which limits their direct rivalry. Although van der Poel has had success in races like the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix, races where Pogačar has also started to make his mark, the Dutchman has found it increasingly difficult to match Pogačar’s consistency across a full season.
In 2023, van der Poel delivered a spectacular performance to win Paris-Roubaix, but even his monumental achievements are often overshadowed by Pogačar’s dominance. Van der Poel himself has admitted that Pogačar’s all-around ability makes him a tough competitor to beat. As *L’Équipe* pointed out, van der Poel, while one of the most talented riders of his era, may be at a disadvantage when it comes to competing with a rider who can excel across every type of terrain.
### Jonas Vingegaard: The Grand Tour Rival Who Still Has Work to Do
If there is one rider who has consistently challenged Pogačar in recent years, it is Jonas Vingegaard. The Danish rider, who won the 2022 and 2023 editions of the Tour de France, has emerged as Pogačar’s biggest rival in the world of stage racing. Vingegaard’s strength in the high mountains and his steady, calculated approach to racing have allowed him to match Pogačar on more than one occasion, particularly in the Tour de France.
However, even with his Tour de France victories, Vingegaard’s rivalry with Pogačar has been far from straightforward. Pogačar, despite being bested by Vingegaard in the past two editions of the Tour, remains a more versatile rider. Vingegaard’s strengths are largely limited to high-mountain stages and his ability to withstand the grueling three-week demands of a Grand Tour. Pogačar, on the other hand, has the advantage in time trials, flat stages, and one-day races, making him a more complete rider.
In 2022, Vingegaard’s victory was largely attributed to his Jumbo-Visma team’s strategic superiority, particularly in the mountains, where the team’s collective strength helped wear down Pogačar. The following year, Vingegaard capitalized on similar tactics to secure his second consecutive win. Yet, even in defeat, Pogačar was able to win stages and remain a constant threat throughout the race. His ability to bounce back from setbacks and continue fighting sets him apart from many of his rivals, Vingegaard included.
Moreover, *L’Équipe* has questioned whether Vingegaard can maintain the same level of dominance in other races beyond the Tour de France. While Vingegaard has been able to rise to the occasion in the sport’s biggest race, his performances in other prestigious races, such as the classics and shorter stage races, have not reached the same heights. Pogačar, on the other hand, has demonstrated his ability to dominate across a wide range of events, adding to the perception that Vingegaard, despite his success, may not be able to keep pace with Pogačar in the long run.
### Pogačar: A Class of His Own?
Tadej Pogačar’s dominance raises the question of whether anyone can truly challenge him across an entire cycling season. While riders like Vingegaard and van der Poel have shown that they can win in specific races, Pogačar’s ability to contend in virtually every race he enters makes him an outlier in the modern era. His versatility, combined with his unmatched consistency, puts him in a league of his own.
In recent years, Pogačar’s performances in classics like Liège-Bastogne-Liège and Il Lombardia have demonstrated that he is just as capable in one-day races as he is in Grand Tours. This level of all-around excellence has left many of his competitors struggling to find a weakness in his game. Even in races where he is not the favorite, Pogačar’s aggressive racing style and willingness to attack from long distances have made him a constant threat.
*L’Équipe* also notes that Pogačar’s mental toughness sets him apart from other riders. His ability to bounce back from setbacks, such as his defeat in the 2023 Tour de France, and continue winning in other major races highlights his resilience and determination. This mental fortitude, combined with his physical prowess, makes him a particularly difficult rider to compete against.
### The Future of the Pogačar Rivalry
As Tadej Pogačar continues to break records and add to his growing list of achievements, the cycling world is left to ponder what the future holds for his rivals. Riders like van der Poel and Vingegaard, while immensely talented, may find it increasingly difficult to keep pace with the Slovenian’s all-around brilliance. Pogačar’s dominance in both stage races and one-day classics leaves little room for others to claim the spotlight.
However, cycling is a sport where surprises can happen, and the dynamics of competition can shift quickly. While *L’Équipe* has raised doubts about the ability of riders like van der Poel and Vingegaard to consistently challenge Pogačar, the future is far from certain. Both riders have the potential to evolve and improve, and new challengers may emerge from the ranks of up-and-coming talent.
For now, though, Pogačar stands at the top of the sport, a rider without peer in terms of versatility, talent, and determination. As the cycling world continues to marvel at his achievements, the question remains: Who, if anyone, can stop Tadej Pogačar?
