The cycling world is abuzz with the extraordinary dominance of Tadej Pogacar, a Slovenian phenomenon who continues to leave his rivals in the dust. But is this dominance a sign of a deeper issue within the sport? As journalist and analyst Thijs Zonneveld ponders, "Maybe cycling has a problem." Zonneveld's concern stems from Pogacar's seemingly unparalleled versatility, a quality that has seen him conquer grand tours, classics, world championships, and now, the European Championships. His performance at the 2025 European Championships, where he launched with 75 kilometers to go and never looked back, reignited the debate about his overwhelming superiority. But what's truly remarkable is how Pogacar's dominance spans across various terrains, from the mountains to the sprints, challenging the historical notion of cycling specialists. His supposed 'weakness' in Paris-Roubaix is relative, as he faces riders who weigh 15 kilos more than him, yet he still manages to hold his own. The key to Pogacar's success lies in his superhuman-level training, where he pushes himself at paces that would be extreme for most. His ability to maintain a pace of 4.5 to 5 watts per kilogram for hours on end is a testament to his extraordinary fitness. But it's not just about raw fitness; Zonneveld believes Pogacar is on another level, redefining the threshold of high performance in cycling. As Pogacar's season comes to a close with an impressive 18 victories in 48 race days, the question remains: is his dominance a sign of a healthy competition or a problem for the sport? The cycling community is left to ponder, with Zonneveld's words echoing in their minds: "Maybe cycling has a problem." And this is the part most people miss...
