F1 race winner tries a Tadej Pogacar ‘easy ride’

Formula 1 driver Carlos Sainz and three-time Tour de France champion Tadej Pogacar share a close friendship, and sometimes cycle together. One of their rides took place the day after Pogacar’s solo victory at the World Cycling Championships in Zurich, and Sainz recounted the experience at a press event ahead of the US Grand Prix in Texas.

Sainz, a three-time Formula 1 race winner, reflected on how their cycling bond began. “It all came about as a result of a chance meeting,” he said of his first encounter with Pogacar, with whom he’s now ridden more often. After Pogacar’s World Championship win, the two went for a ride to celebrate the Slovenian’s title. “He told me that he had a recovery ride planned after the World Championships and asked if I wanted to go with him. I said yes.”

However, what was meant to be an easy ride for Pogacar turned out to be much more intense for the Ferrari driver. "That's when I discovered: what is a quiet ride for him, is for me the hardest training of my life. And yet I consider myself a good cyclist. Fortunately, he was happy to talk to someone, so he didn't leave me behind. But it's impressive to see what a powerful champion he is," Sainz shared.

Even though the ride was more of a challenge than Sainz expected, it offered a glimpse into the incredible endurance and strength that defines Pogacar as one of the world’s top cyclists.