Cycling is in crisis, and it’s not because of a lack of talent or effort—it’s because of one man: Tadej Pogacar. His dominance has become so overwhelming that it’s crushing the spirit of the peloton, leaving rivals questioning whether there’s any point in even trying to compete. But here’s where it gets controversial: is Pogacar’s unparalleled success a testament to his genius, or has it inadvertently stifled the very essence of competitive racing? Let’s dive in.
Tadej Pogacar’s 2025 season has been nothing short of legendary, but it’s also sparked a debate that’s dividing the cycling world. According to analysts Guy Van den Langenbergh and Jan-Pieter De Vlieger from Het Nieuwsblad, the Slovenian’s relentless grip on the sport is suffocating competition at the highest level. Speaking on the Café Koers podcast, Van den Langenbergh painted a grim picture: a peloton resigned to defeat before the race even begins. ‘You can sense a kind of resignation creeping into the peloton,’ he said. ‘When you ask riders how they plan to beat Pogacar, they just laugh or shrug. It’s as if everyone has accepted his dominance as inevitable.’
And this is the part most people miss: it’s not just about Pogacar’s wins—it’s about the psychological toll his supremacy is taking on the sport. His 2025 campaign has been a masterclass in dominance, adding three Monuments (Flanders, Liège–Bastogne–Liège, and Il Lombardia) to his collection, along with a fourth Tour de France title. Pogacar’s blend of consistency, tactical brilliance, and explosive power has left even the sport’s biggest teams feeling powerless. What once felt like bold, unpredictable attacks now seem almost scripted, as if the outcome is never in doubt.
But here’s the kicker: this sense of inevitability isn’t limited to smaller teams. Even cycling powerhouse Team Visma | Lease a Bike, who entered 2025 aiming to dominate the sport, have been left scrambling for answers. ‘It’s not just the underdogs,’ Van den Langenbergh noted. ‘Even at Visma, there’s no clear plan to counter Pogacar. Saying they’re being led to the slaughter is extreme, but it’s hard to shake the feeling that beating him is impossible.’ For a team that once mirrored Pogacar’s UAE Team Emirates in dominance, 2025 has been a humbling reality check. Despite Jonas Vingegaard’s Vuelta a España win, Visma trails far behind UAE in the world rankings, as Pogacar’s team sets new benchmarks for control and strategy.
This raises a critical question: is Pogacar’s reign eroding the competitive tension that makes elite cycling so thrilling? What was once a debate about how he would win has shifted to when. Rival teams are struggling to devise meaningful strategies, while Pogacar continues to dominate across every terrain and format—from spring classics to grand tours, one-day races to week-long stage races. For many in the peloton, his supremacy isn’t just a challenge to overcome; it’s a reality to endure.
But let’s not forget the flip side: Pogacar’s dominance is also a testament to his unparalleled skill and dedication. Is it fair to criticize him for being too good? Or should the focus be on the sport’s structure, which allows one rider to overshadow everyone else? Is cycling losing its competitive edge, or are we witnessing the rise of an all-time great? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—this is a debate that’s far from over.
