- Tadej Pogacar’s dominance in professional cycling is undeniable. The Slovenian phenom has won back-to-back Tour de France titles, multiple monuments, and established himself as one of the most versatile and dominant cyclists of his generation. However, with his consistent victories, some, including French cycling legend Thomas Voeckler, are beginning to question whether Pogacar’s reign is inadvertently dulling the excitement of major races. According to Voeckler, riders are increasingly racing “for second place,” with the assumption that Pogacar is untouchable. But is this a fair critique, or is cycling simply witnessing a new era of supremacy?
The Pogacar Effect: Unprecedented Skill and Consistency
Pogacar’s rise in cycling has been meteoric. Since winning his first Tour de France in 2020 at just 21, he has become an almost invincible figure in the peloton. His ability to climb, time trial, and his fierce racing mentality have made him a force to be reckoned with across multiple types of terrain. Unlike other riders, Pogacar doesn’t specialize in just one discipline; he excels in all facets of the sport, which makes him even more intimidating to rivals. His performances are jaw-dropping—his relentless attacks on the climbs, his precision in the time trials, and his ability to win stages in grand tours with apparent ease have left fans in awe. But in some ways, this is precisely where the problem lies.
“For Second Place”: The State of Racing
Voeckler, a former Tour de France contender and the man who gave his all in the 2011 edition, recently commented that many of today’s riders seem to be racing for second place rather than for the win. His point is clear: in the face of Pogacar’s dominance, it feels like there is little room for real competition at the very top of the sport.
While this observation may seem like an exaggeration, there’s a grain of truth in it. In the past, races like the Tour de France were often marked by fierce battles for the top spot, with multiple riders competing for the overall victory. The sport had a sense of unpredictability, and it felt like any of the top riders could emerge victorious on any given day. Today, however, Pogacar’s near-perfect form often means that the competition for the podium spots is more about securing second and third place than actually threatening for the win.
This has led to frustration among some fans and pundits, who feel that the excitement of the grand tours is being diluted by the one-sided nature of the contest. There’s little doubt that Pogacar is an exceptional talent, but when a rider seems to win almost every race he enters, the spectacle can become repetitive. This isn’t just about the riders’ ambitions but the very nature of the competition. As Voeckler suggests, many riders are likely targeting second place and the financial rewards that come with it, rather than setting their sights on dethroning the reigning champion.
The Case for Dominance
It’s worth noting, however, that dominance in sport is not inherently a bad thing. In fact, history is full of champions whose exceptional ability raised the bar for everyone else. From Michael Jordan in basketball to Roger Federer in tennis, the greatness of these athletes wasn’t just defined by their victories but by the way they inspired and pushed their peers to elevate their own performances.
Pogacar’s dominance could be viewed in a similar light. His success has set a new standard for what it takes to win the Tour de France, and his rivals must adapt to his extraordinary level of racing. As much as it may seem like the rest of the peloton is racing for second place, the challenge for these riders should be seen as an opportunity to innovate and improve in the face of Pogacar’s seemingly insurmountable strength.
In fact, the sport’s greatest athletes often generate the most innovation in response to their dominance. As Pogacar continues to set the bar higher, new strategies, new riders, and fresh approaches may emerge to challenge his supremacy.
Could Pogacar’s Dominance Be Harmful for Cycling?
The question, however, is whether this level of dominance is sustainable or harmful to the sport. Cycling, by nature, thrives on competition, and when that competition is perceived as one-sided, fan interest can wane. When Pogacar wins by such wide margins, it can feel like the race is already over before it has truly begun. A perceived lack of genuine competition can lead to viewer fatigue, and that’s something cycling can ill afford.
Furthermore, the psychological toll on Pogacar’s rivals cannot be understated. Riders like Jonas Vingegaard, who have come close but ultimately been unable to match Pogacar in the grand tours, may find it harder to mentally break through that barrier. For others, the prospect of battling Pogacar might simply be too daunting, leading to a form of resignation where they focus on smaller goals rather than trying to defeat a seemingly unbeatable champion.
Is This Just a Phase?
In any case, we may be witnessing a phase in cycling where one rider’s dominance shapes the landscape. It’s possible that in the coming seasons, new challengers will emerge or that Pogacar will face unexpected setbacks that will restore the competitive balance. Cycling is, after all, a sport filled with surprises.
For now, though, the question remains: is Tadej Pogacar’s dominance boring? If the race for second place becomes a constant theme, it might be difficult to keep the excitement alive. But as any true fan of the sport knows, cycling is cyclical—dominance can only last for so long before new heroes rise, and the next era begins. Until then, the challenge for Pogacar’s rivals is clear: it’s time to start racing for first place again.