Tadej Pogačar unbeatable?: 'I wouldn't say that'
The Slovenian seems unstoppable once again in 2022

Despite being only 23-years-old and entering just his fourth season at WorldTour level, there has already become a certain inevitability that when Tadej Pogačar launches a stinging attack no other rider can follow him and the Slovenian will be crossing the line first.
His 2019 Vuelta a España performance put him on the map, his shock 2020 Tour de France win elevating him to the top of the sport before 2021 saw him defend his yellow jersey and scooping up two Monuments.
The early signs in 2022 are that there is no end to his dominance in sight, crushing all opponents at his team's home UAE Tour before a scintillating solo ride at Strade Bianche to tick off an ever-shortening palmarès bucket list.
At Tirreno-Adriatico he again strolled to victory, taking two stage wins en route to a winning margin of almost two minutes over Jonas Vingegaard (Jumbo-Visma) in the general classification.
>>> Primož Roglič: Wout van Aert is 'half human, half motor'
Naturally, the one question needing to be asked of Pogačar after he sealed victory at the finish line of stage eight in San Benedetto de Tronto this weekend was 'are you unbeatable?'
“No, I wouldn't say that," said the rider known for his humility, which stands in juxtaposition to how he dispatches his rivals.
“It was quite relaxed today. Especially compared to the previous days. It wasn't that cold today either. At the end it was quite nervous, but it was a good day for us. I enjoyed the ride, although I had to stay focused. After all, it's not over until you've crossed the line."
One must think if Pogačar's nerves were jangling as he rode in within the safety of the bunch how his compatriot Primož Roglič must have been feeling as he suffered a second, consecutive final day scare at Paris-Nice yet also emerged to secure the overall victory.
"But for now it's fine," Pogačar says of dealing with his dominance. "I am very happy with this second overall victory. It's always nice when you win a race. I am already looking forward to the upcoming races and challenges.”
Limits still exist, however.
After the race GCN's Will Newton wondered if there was a chance that Pogačar would change his mind and add Paris-Roubaix to his schedule after lining up for the upcoming Milan - San Remo and Tour of Flanders.
"Not much," came the out-of-the-blue and brief reply from the two-time Tour de France champions.
Pogačar is still bound by some Earthly parameters, at least for now.
Thank you for reading 5 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Hi. I'm Cycling Weekly's Weekend Editor. I like writing offbeat features and eating too much bread when working out on the road at bike races.
Before joining Cycling Weekly I worked at The Tab and I've also written for Vice, Time Out, and worked freelance for The Telegraph (I know, but I needed the money at the time so let me live).
I also worked for ITV Cycling between 2011-2018 on their Tour de France and Vuelta a España coverage. Sometimes I'd be helping the producers make the programme and other times I'd be getting the lunches. Just in case you were wondering - Phil Liggett and Paul Sherwen had the same ham sandwich every day, it was great.
-
-
Friday tech roundup: Garmin's camera-equipped Varia, classic De Marchi jerseys, Smith's latest aero lid and some budget sunnies from California
Garmin packs the latest tech into its new tail light while De Marchi celebrates its glorious past - plus more selected tech highlights of the week
By Simon Smythe • Published
-
Romain Bardet out of Giro d'Italia after illness
Frenchman was flying high in 4th on general classification
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Tadej Pogačar won't race Liège-Bastogne-Liège after family emergency
UAE Team Emirates will defend title with Brandon McNulty in Pogačar's place
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Tadej Pogačar apologised to Dylan van Baarle after Tour of Flanders frustration
Video shows Slovenian angry at Dutchman following Sunday's sprint
By Adam Becket • Published
-
'Maybe I am out of my comfort zone' — Tadej Pogačar ahead of his first Tour of Flanders
Two-time Tour de France winner says it is going to be a "crazy race" on Sunday
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Oliver Naesen: No Wout van Aert at Tour of Flanders 'changes everything'
AG2R Citroën rider says he can see Tadej Pogačar soloing to victory on Sunday
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Tadej Pogačar struggled to keep pace at Dwars door Vlaanderen: 'They were too strong in the front, too fast'
The Slovenian failed on multiple occasions to bridge the gap to the leading group that contained Mathieu van der Poel
By Ryan Dabbs • Published
-
How would Bradley Wiggins beat Tadej Pogačar? 'Buy him, and send him to the Giro'
Former Tour de France winner admits he would have struggled against a talent like Pogačar
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Tadej Pogačar: 'I didn’t dare follow Mohorič at Milan-San Remo, I know that he's crazy when the road goes down'
The Tour de France champion came up short after repeated attacks on the Poggio
By Richard Windsor • Published
-
'One-day racing is totally different -everything still has to go right for Pogačar to win Milan-San Remo'
Former Milan-San Remo winner Simon Gerrans says the Monument is a 'whole different beast' for the Slovenian
By Adam Becket • Published