Convicted doper responds to Pogacar allegations: "I can't imagine that - he's simply an exceptional athlete"

Tadej Pogacar was a dominant force of the 2025 Tour de France and just like a year prior, gave no chance to any of his opponents, breaking a few historical climbing records along the way. Inevitably, doping speculations have once again arised. Is it even realistic possibility at this time and era?

"I can't imagine it," concludes Swiss ex-pro Rolf Järmann in an interview with Blick. The Classics star of 90s with two victories at Amstel Gold Race and overall victory at Tirreno-Adriatico has admitted to have been doping during his career retrospectively. As many others did at the time.

"When I was active, we doped extensively. We knew it was illegal, but we didn't feel guilty about it. Things are completely different today," he explains: "Pogacar and his friends grew up differently; they're much more aware. The controls are also much better than they used to be. I don't believe in systematic doping."

Järmann continues: "Cheating alone is much more complicated. You need doctors and pharmacists behind it and supplying you. Let's say Pogacar's UAE team is practicing doping. The risk of being exposed is much greater than in my time – because back then, all the teams covered for each other."

According to the Swissman, the incredible performances we are seeing lately are a lofical outcome of a rapid development of the sport during last two decades. "Wattages are rising - just look at how much more professional cycling has become compared to the EPO era. Equipment, nutrition, tactics, recovery - everything is more advanced."

Järmann then gives an example only somebody who witnessed the "old" era can: "You know, when I retired in 1999, I guarded my 10,000-franc Colnago bike like a treasure. When I rented a new racing bike in Mallorca ten years later, I realized: This rides a hundred times better! The development has been rapid."

How does Järmann then explain Pogacar's great performances where only very few can even compare to the Slovenian? "He's an exceptional athlete. There are always exceptional athletes, no matter the sport. But his competitors in the Tour de France have also beaten themselves."

People are still inclined towards explaining such phenomenon with the simple "he's doping" without having any evidence to support those claims. "It has to do with cycling's past. No one ever thought that the exceptional athlete Federer had doped. Or that Odermatt could. Don't get me wrong, I think that's a good thing. But ultimately, you can profit from doping in every sport, not just cycling."