Tadej Pogačar’s dominance in professional cycling has reached such heights that even experts are now playfully suggesting extreme measures to level the playing field. With his recent victories and incredible consistency across Grand Tours and Monuments, some have joked that giving Pogačar a significant handicap—like a ten-minute deficit at the start of races—might be the only way to stop him from winning. Yet, even with this hypothetical head start for his competitors, many believe he could still find a way to come out on top.
Pogačar’s unmatched versatility and resilience have led to these lighthearted remarks, but they reflect a deeper question in the cycling world: how can anyone stop him? The Slovenian superstar has shown that he can win on all terrains—dominating on steep climbs, powering through time trials, and even holding his own on cobblestones. In Grand Tours, he has repeatedly attacked his rivals at critical moments, leaving them scrambling to keep up.
Experts believe the key to challenging Pogačar lies in team tactics and collective strategies from his competitors. Riders like Jonas Vingegaard and Remco Evenepoel have shown glimpses of being able to put pressure on Pogačar, but it’s often difficult to match his explosive attacks. Teams must work together to neutralize his aggressive riding, making it harder for him to isolate rivals and dominate stages.
Some have also pointed to the possibility of race organizers designing courses specifically to reduce his advantages. Adding more technical stages or more punishing cobbled sections could provide challenges for climbers like Pogačar, though his win at the 2023 Tour of Flanders suggests he’s closing that gap too.
Ultimately, Pogačar’s combination of talent, tactics, and mental strength makes him an almost unstoppable force in cycling, leaving experts and competitors scratching their heads about how to stop him.
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