"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
CyclingThursday, 27 June 2024 at 10:12
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."
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- Geraint Thomas has every right to make those comments, regardless of whether or how he lost the very same race in the past, and his comments are hardly 'destroying' Isaac del Torro. He was being critical of the tactics that del Torro and UAE chose to employ, just as countless others have, because they were terrible tactics. There was no malice or ill intention behind that criticism.
santiagobenites02-06-2025 - Nobody is destroying anybody over a simple loss. But it was Del Toro fault since he had the pink jersey and it was his responsibility. G is not a brilliant tactician either but what he is saying is true. Also the entire fault isnt Del Toro, its also UAE staff's fault. They should have advised him betterabstractengineer02-06-2025
- Oh, f**k off Rebecca.
KerisVroom02-06-2025 - Finally! Someone pointing out the oddity of UAE and EF not sending satellite riders to the front! Even if WvA wasn't there, it would always be a plus for both Del Toro and Carapaz to have a friend up front in their duel.gfraz02-06-2025
- Why? They've got a load of more experienced GC riders. Give him a rest. Not a cool idea dude...Domingo02-06-2025
- UAE should include Del Toro as a domestique for Pogacar at the Tour. After all, Simon Yates is also riding the Tour in support of Vingegaard.Cooldude02-06-2025
- Great analysis - what's the last word for me on this: UAE fell over on tactics and reaction, imagine if Pog gets ill or such like, who's going to step up ? they put all their eggs in his basket...
leedorney02-06-2025 - what did your 5 y.o child say when you lost a Giro because lost seconds changing and adjusting a helmet, Mr G.?
maria2024202402-06-2025 - I'n not a professional and I'm not destroying a 21 boy because took a bad decision. Mr. G. over 37 y.o. LOST A GIRO in the last stage for seconds! SECONDS THAT HE LOST CHANGING AND ADJUSTING A HELMET. He is the least that could say these kinds of phrases, destroying a boy at his first leader GC experience.maria2024202402-06-2025
- How many GTs have you ridden ! My quess is a big fat 0 ! Del Toro blew it and that can't be argued!frieders302-06-2025
Nadal? He had to share everything with Federer and Djokoviç, which actually seems about right, Pog has to share with Jonas and VDP
The tennis analogy isn't great due to there being a big 3. But Jonas and MVDP can't win on any terrain and it's pretty easy to point out stages they can at least try to contend on. Pogi "can" win in everything but a bunch sprint with true sprinters
C’mon, the only reason you can say Pog can win on any terrain is because you are setting the boundaries, he can’t win in MTB or cyclocross, on the track and has yet to show his skills on wet cobbles. His range of the spectrum is no wider than MVDPs they are just different ranges.
The most versatile and complete rider of this generation no doubt !!!
Let’s get Remco in there too 🥳🥳
This won't go over well with all the Danes on this site.