Tadej Pogacar’s remarkable performances are raising eyebrows and sparking debate within the cycling world. While some admire his exceptional talent, others question whether his achievements are too good to be true, given cycling’s history of doping.

Lars Nybo, a professor at the University of Copenhagen, acknowledges the need to believe in athletes’ performances but admits skepticism is natural. He highlights the vast difference between Pogacar and his competitors, comparing it to an Olympic 5,000-meter winner lapping the runner-up, an unprecedented scenario in endurance sports.

Pogacar’s dominance is particularly evident when compared to his rivals. During this year’s Critérium du Dauphiné, he effortlessly dropped Jonas Vingegaard, showcasing a significant power advantage. This level of performance has led to descriptions like “mind-boggling” and “ridiculous” from other riders.

Following his defeat to Vingegaard in the 2023 Tour de France, Pogacar revamped his training regimen with coach Javier Zola, incorporating intensive intervals, heat training, and strength training. This has resulted in a more powerful, leaner, and resilient rider, capable of executing devastating attacks. He has also improved his nutrition and race strategy.

While these factors could explain Pogacar’s improved performance, Nybo remains cautious. He notes that the estimated power outputs of Pogacar and Vingegaard are so high that they warrant skepticism. He points out that past cycling champions like Riis, Armstrong, and Pantani were later found to have used performance-enhancing drugs.

Nikolai Baastrup Nordsborg, Head of the Department of Nutrition at the University of Copenhagen, also emphasizes that while advancements in training, equipment, and nutrition have improved overall performance in cycling, they don’t fully explain the dominance of Pogacar and Vingegaard.

Jonas Vingegaard has expressed understanding of the skepticism due to cycling’s tainted past. He and Pogacar both deny cheating and attribute their success to hard work, improved training methods, and optimized nutrition.

The Tour de France, in particular, has a long history of cheating. From riders using trains to riders taking performance enhancing substances.

The presence of controversial figures like Mauro Gianetti, who has been linked to doping in the past, within Pogacar’s UAE Team Emirates adds to the suspicion. Nybo considers Gianetti “persona non grata” and believes he should not be involved in cycling.

Despite these concerns, Nybo acknowledges that major doping scandals are less frequent in recent years, and anti-doping measures have become more sophisticated. However, he cautions that past instances, like Lance Armstrong and Michael Rasmussen, demonstrate that the system can be cheated.