De Vlaeminck Claims Pogacar’s Unmatched Dominance Is Due to a Lack of Competition, Sharply Criticizes Evenepoel and Van der Poel for Failing to Challenge the Slovenian Superstar
Tadej Pogacar’s dominance in cycling has been one of the most discussed topics in the sport in recent years. The Slovenian superstar has won back-to-back Tour de France titles, claimed the 2020 and 2021 Liège-Bastogne-Liège, and secured numerous one-day race victories, solidifying his status as one of the sport’s greatest talents of the modern era. However, not all observers are convinced that his reign is indicative of true competitive superiority. Legendary Belgian cyclist Roger De Vlaeminck, known for his aggressive racing style and impressive career that spanned across both the Classics and Grand Tours, recently made headlines with his bold comments about Pogacar’s current dominance in cycling.
According to De Vlaeminck, Pogacar’s string of victories is not solely a result of his immense talent but rather a consequence of a lack of serious competition from other top riders. In a recent interview, De Vlaeminck called out the apparent shortcomings of two of the biggest names in cycling today, Remco Evenepoel and Mathieu van der Poel, accusing them of failing to rise to the challenge posed by Pogacar. His comments have sparked a wave of debate within the cycling community, with many agreeing with his assessment while others suggest De Vlaeminck may be overlooking the larger complexities of modern cycling.
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The Phenomenon of Tadej Pogacar
Tadej Pogacar’s rise to dominance in cycling came swiftly and with little hesitation. At just 22 years old, he claimed his first Tour de France victory in 2020, surprising many with his ability to outclass some of the sport’s biggest names. His aggressive tactics, exceptional climbing skills, and ability to excel in both time trials and mountain stages set him apart from his competitors. Pogacar’s back-to-back victories in the Tour and his continued success in other major races only served to reinforce his status as cycling’s brightest young talent.
However, the dominance of a single rider in any sport inevitably raises questions, and Pogacar’s reign is no exception. Critics have pointed out that, while Pogacar is undeniably talented, his supremacy may have more to do with a lack of serious competition at the top level. The question many ask is: Is Pogacar truly the best cyclist in the world, or is he simply dominating in an era where no one else is able to rise to the occasion?
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Roger De Vlaeminck’s Criticism
Roger De Vlaeminck’s remarks have stirred up strong reactions in the cycling world, particularly because of his experience and track record in the sport. De Vlaeminck, often referred to as “The King of the Classics” for his numerous victories in races like Paris-Roubaix, Milan-San Remo, and the Tour of Flanders, has seen the evolution of cycling from a time when competition was cutthroat, with numerous stars vying for the top spot. His perspective on Pogacar’s dominance is not one based on envy or bitterness, but rather an observation that he believes is rooted in the current state of professional cycling.
In his interview, De Vlaeminck didn’t mince words when addressing the state of competition. He suggested that Pogacar’s remarkable performances have come, in part, because he faces minimal resistance from riders like Remco Evenepoel and Mathieu van der Poel. According to De Vlaeminck, these two riders, widely regarded as two of the most talented cyclists in the world today, have not been able to mount a serious challenge to Pogacar’s reign.
“Pogacar is a great talent, no doubt,” De Vlaeminck began. “But let’s be honest here—he’s not up against the level of competition that we had when I was racing. When you look at Evenepoel and Van der Poel, you see riders with incredible potential, but neither of them has managed to seriously challenge Pogacar in the way I believe they should.”
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De Vlaeminck’s View on Evenepoel and Van der Poel
Both Remco Evenepoel and Mathieu van der Poel are considered by many to be the future of cycling, with the ability to claim Grand Tour victories and dominate the Classics in the coming years. However, De Vlaeminck believes that both riders have failed to push Pogacar to his limits, offering little in the way of resistance to his dominance.
Evenepoel, who made waves with his win in the 2022 Vuelta a España and his strong performance in the 2023 Giro d’Italia, has shown immense talent, particularly in time trials and stage races. His overall victory in the 2022 Vuelta was a huge breakthrough for the Belgian rider, but De Vlaeminck remains unconvinced that Evenepoel has what it takes to challenge Pogacar over three weeks of a Grand Tour like the Tour de France.
“Evenepoel has the talent, there’s no question about it. But the problem is his consistency. He may have the ability to win a Grand Tour, but when you look at someone like Pogacar, he’s consistently dominant. Evenepoel needs to improve his mental game, especially in the mountains, if he wants to challenge Pogacar for the biggest titles,” De Vlaeminck stated.
On the other hand, Mathieu van der Poel, known for his aggressive style in one-day races like the Tour of Flanders and his ability to dominate in cyclocross, has not yet been able to transition that form into Grand Tour success. Van der Poel’s performances in the Tour de France have been impressive, but De Vlaeminck believes he has not been able to match Pogacar’s level over the course of a three-week race.
“Van der Poel is one of the best riders in the world, no doubt. But we’re talking about a rider who needs to focus on his consistency and stamina if he’s ever going to seriously challenge Pogacar in a race like the Tour de France. Right now, he’s more focused on the one-day races, and that’s where he’s strong,” De Vlaeminck continued.
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Is De Vlaeminck’s Criticism Fair?
While many will agree with De Vlaeminck’s assessment of Evenepoel and Van der Poel’s shortcomings, others will argue that his critique fails to fully understand the intricacies of modern cycling. The level of competition in cycling today is undoubtedly fierce, and while Pogacar has consistently outperformed his rivals, he has not always had things easy.
Pogacar’s victory in the 2021 Tour de France, for instance, was far from a walk in the park. He faced stiff competition from Jonas Vingegaard, who pushed him to the limit in the mountains. While Pogacar ultimately claimed the yellow jersey, the competition in that race was far from lacking. Furthermore, Evenepoel and Van der Poel have both shown remarkable form in other races—Evenepoel’s breakthrough in the Vuelta and Van der Poel’s consistency in the Classics prove that they are capable of standing on top of the podium when the right conditions are met.
Moreover, cycling has become more tactical than ever before, with teams working together to put their riders in the best possible position to succeed. Pogacar’s success is not simply due to a lack of competition but is also a result of his impeccable team support and strategic nous, which allow him to dominate over three-week races.
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The Future of Cycling: A New Generation of Riders
While De Vlaeminck’s comments have ignited debate, they also underscore the current state of cycling: a sport undergoing rapid evolution. With Pogacar continuing to rule the Grand Tours, Evenepoel and Van der Poel working to carve their legacies, and a new generation of riders on the rise, the future of cycling promises to be more competitive than ever.
Evenepoel and Van der Poel may not yet have dethroned Pogacar, but their journeys are far from over. Whether or not they can rise to the challenge and challenge Pogacar’s dominance remains to be seen, but one thing is certain—cycling is in the midst of one of its most exciting eras, with rivalries and competition that will continue to captivate fans for years to come.
As for De Vlaeminck, his words remind us that the history of cycling is full of fierce battles and intense competition—and the new generation has a long way to go before they can be considered true challengers to the legacy of riders like De Vlaeminck himself.
