“NOW HE DOESN’T HAVE THAT DISADVANTAGE” – EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGIST JAN BOONE ARGUES TADEJ POGACAR NO LONGER HAS ENDURANCE DISADVANTAGE

Renowned exercise physiologist Jan Boone recently highlighted a significant shift in Tadej Pogačar’s racing dynamics, stating, “Now he doesn’t have that disadvantage.” Boone argues that Pogačar, who previously faced challenges with endurance, has successfully overcome this hurdle, making him an even more formidable competitor in the 2024 Tour de France.

Pogačar, known for his explosive attacks and aggressive racing style, has traditionally excelled in short bursts of power. However, endurance has been a crucial area of development for the young Slovenian rider. Boone, who has closely studied Pogačar’s physiological data, noted remarkable improvements in his endurance capabilities. “Tadej has always been a strong climber and a brilliant tactician, but there were times when his endurance was questioned. That’s no longer the case,” Boone explained.

This enhancement in endurance is a result of meticulous training and strategic race planning. Boone attributes Pogačar’s progress to a well-rounded approach that includes optimized nutrition, targeted high-intensity interval training, and longer endurance rides. “His team has done a fantastic job in addressing this aspect. Now, he can sustain his high-intensity efforts over longer distances, which is crucial in a grueling race like the Tour de France,” Boone elaborated.

The newfound endurance has allowed Pogačar to maintain his aggressive style while also staying strong in the latter parts of the stages. This was evident in recent mountain stages where he not only attacked early but also managed to hold his lead against some of the best endurance riders in the peloton. “Previously, he might have faltered in the final kilometers, but now he’s showing remarkable resilience,” Boone noted.

Pogačar’s ability to combine his natural explosiveness with enhanced endurance poses a significant challenge for his rivals. As the race progresses into the demanding Alpine stages, this combination could prove decisive. Boone emphasized, “With his improved endurance, Tadej is now a complete rider. He’s eliminated what used to be a disadvantage, making him even harder to beat.”

As the Tour de France continues, all eyes will be on Pogačar to see how his enhanced endurance impacts his performance, particularly in the crucial stages where both power and stamina are tested to their limits.