"He is no different than Nadal in tennis, Michael Jordan in basketball, or Tiger Woods in golf" - Tadej Pogacar cycling's biggest icon says superstar agent
Cycling
The most complete rider of his generation, Tadej Pogacar can win almost any race you put in front of him. According to the UAE Team Emirates leader's superstar agent Alex Carera, Pogacar is also the biggest star in the entire sport.
"Nowadays, he is no different than Nadal in tennis, Michael Jordan in basketball, or Tiger Woods in golf," Carera says in conversation with Portuguese Cycling Magazine. "He has the same impact in cycling, because he’s not only the best, he’s also close to the fans and the kids. What we saw during the last Giro, giving his jersey to Giulio Pellizzari or giving his bottle to the kids in the Astana jersey, shows his great impact in our sport, because many fans love him, and many riders also love him. I think that he is very popular also because he has a big smile all the time; he is happy on the bike and he loves this sport."
Pogacar has certainly managed to strike a chord with supporters throughout his time in the peloton, with his constant smile, enthusiastic attitude and infectiously positive demeanour keeping the fans onside despite his dominance. Given his immense success however, surely Carera has a somewhat easy job in terms of managing Pogacar's affairs.
"My first job is to help him stay focused on the win, without many obligations to sponsors and the media. It’s my role, and I need to work it," he explains. "Nowadays, every time that he starts a race he wants to win it, so he will try to win the Tour also. It’s a great challenge, not easy for sure, but I’m also sure that he will fight for the yellow jersey. Last year, he had a big injury in Liège, but he worked hard, and in the end, he won 3 stages and got on the podium. For sure, the upcoming Tour de France will be a great event for all fans, and I want to invite everyone to follow the Tour de France!"
There is also talk of a new, bumper contract with UAE Team Emirates, although Carera isn't quite so open about these rumours. "We have been in discussions for many months regarding why he wants to sign the contract. Maybe we can find a solution before the Tour, or after the Tour, but it’s not our priority," he concludes. "Our priority is that all parties, all staff and riders around, are happy [with him] in the team, and that the team is happy with him."
Kieran WoodDeputy Editor-in-Chief
Kieran Wood is a sports journalist based in Wales and has been active in journalism since 2022. He regularly contributes to DartsNews.com and CyclingUpToDate.com, where he covers professional cycling and darts. In cycling, his work includes liveblogs from major races, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, alongside race reports and analysis. He has also conducted interviews with professional riders.
His reporting spans the full racing calendar, from one-day classics to stage races, with a focus on accurate, real-time coverage and clear contextual analysis. For statistics, results, and historical context, he regularly uses resources such as ProCyclingStats. To support reporting on rider activity and training context where relevant, he also references Strava.
In his work, Kieran places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles as new, verified information becomes available.
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- I get the point totally. We live in the snowflake society where some riders forget they are getting paid to ride and get results. When they have a few issues they try to look outside of the real issue instead of themselves. It odd so many of the team are making no complaints and getting on with their job. If you do not like what you do find another job simples. Tough love as my mum would say.paultryan200207-11-2026
- many people advise him to grow slowly and rather do giro and/or vuelta instead of tdf. but i can totally understand that he is not satisfied with taking over once pogi declines, but instead beat him in his prime. so if he goes for tdf again, i‘m all for it. let‘s hope that pogi recovers soon!Ketterechts07-11-2026
- So gracious to offer something no-one would be prepared to pay for. The Giro is not the Tour and doesn’t command the same interest or attract the same “elite” (those willing to pay to be a part of something they consider has ego boosting potential). Roadside viewing will always largely remain free for everyone outside circuits. Introduction of a symbolic entrance to mountain climbs is worthy of exploration. Asking 1-2€ isn’t going to repulse real fans (most will spend 50-100€ on their outing that day all things included) but will prevent a portion of the total knobhead thrillseekers who will join in any large gathering as long as it’s free, just because they’re attracted to crowds, without which it it difficult for them to work up their anti-social behaviour.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- How is radio going to help when someone went over a cliff or bridge or off the roadside into a forest unnoticed and is laying there unconscious?Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- Yep, next we’ll be accusing F1 drivers of avoiding Le Mans.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- But on what is that opinion based? Are you holding him to a different standard than others? Are you saying he should do learn to like something he doesn’t Are you saying he hasn’t achieved enough Are you saying he pretends to be better than his results? It’s actually a really strange opinion to oust if you consider it objectively or rationally. Try applying it to others or yourself by asking if not EVERYONE should then be doing more? Nobody in athletics or swimming gets criticism for not expanding their repertoire when a rival or someone else does. In fact, most who move to another event get accused of running from their rival. Opinions are boring, the reasons behind them are what count.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- for a medical chief to throw things like is just bad. There are already radios which were banned for spectacle. allow radios. Gps trackers are not a complete solutionabstractengineer07-11-2026
- Yeah man...PogiSloFans07-11-2026
- any rider less than 25 whether they are really ready for the position of leadership of GT is probably not the case. I think Pogi himself suffered when he was defeated by Jonas in the TDF twice. But that would be the team's job to ensure support so that they can bounce back. It requires a team and time to get back up and win after getting knocked down.abstractengineer07-11-2026
- I'm very glad he got the big late Quickstep Vuelta win and I hope he has a few left for Euskaltel-Euskadi.flyer07-11-2026
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Pogačar is the ultimate sportsman 👌 Killer instinct on the bike, generous and humble off it 👏 ______________ 🇫🇷 #TDF2024
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