"He’s the best cyclist we’ve ever seen" - Tadej Pogacar impresses former Milano-Sanremo winner Arnaud Démare
Cycling
10 years ago, Arnaud Démare won Milano-Sanremo. Nowadays the first monument of the season is a very different race, one where the sprinters don't have realistic chances of succeeding, but instead it is the classics riders and climbers who have taken the spotlight. The French legend has praised Tadej Pogacar, who won this year's edition, as potentially the best that this sport has ever seen.
“I think he’s the best cyclist we’ve ever seen. At times, it even looks like he’s searching for something more, like he needs a different kind of challenge," Démare said in words to RCM Sport. Démare argued that Pogacar operates under a different set of goals, due to his ability on the climbs. It is ultimately something that has given him the opportunity to fight for wins in almost every race he starts; whilst he is also well within range to win Paris-Roubaix.
This difference in ability isn't just noticeable on the mountains, but also in the moments where he does not have to hit the front. “You’re at full gas, thinking about positioning before a climb, and he’s completely relaxed. That’s when you understand the gap," the former pro says.
However Démare, now as a fan of cycling and not part of the sport from the inside, does understand the argument for this domination to remove the edge and excitement from some races. “There are moments where you already know how it’s going to end. That changes the way people watch.”
Pogacar and Roubaix
And then on the other hand, there are the races that suit other riders better, in which the Pogacar element dares to change the dynamics. Paris-Roubaix is the prime example, being a flat cobbled classic without a single climb where he can on paper make the difference. “He goes there because it’s different. Because it’s not straightforward, because it’s not something he can dominate in the same way.”
At this point in the World Champion's career, that is a key element regarding motivation, something which is not easy in a sport that demands so many sacrifices just to be part of it.
“He’s competitive everywhere. That’s what makes the difference. When he’s on the start line, you’re often riding for second place," he concluded.
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A founding contributor to CyclingUpToDate since its launch in January 2022, Ruben Silva has played a central role in shaping the site’s editorial direction and long-term growth. Before joining the project, he built his experience through independent blogging at Echelons Hub and by producing race previews for Ciclismo Internacional, developing a strong analytical voice rooted in daily engagement with professional cycling.
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Over the course of his career, he has conducted approximately 100 interviews across road cycling and cyclocross, ranging from one-to-one conversations and online formats to press conferences and on-site pre- and post-race coverage. His interviews include leading riders, team managers, and prominent figures within cycling media: Tadej Pogacar, Jonas Vingegaard, Mathieu van der Poel, Primoz Roglic, Wout van Aert, Joao Almeida and Tom Pidcock; managers like Patrick Lefevere and Joxean Matxin; and YouTube personality Bryan Kennedy (BKXC)...
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- but don't let your socks be too long or handlebars be a cm too narrow.mij10-11-2026
- Saw a casual interview with Geraint Thomas and him a few years ago. Seems like a nice laid guy and I wish him well.GregT10-11-2026
- Ernesto Maggioni - The president of the commissaires Mafia. It is getting evident that this guy is basically "Iamalwaysrightandyouarestupidsoiwontlistentoyou" kind of guy. So fire him so that he can be always right in his homeabstractengineer10-11-2026
- Somehow it has got into his mind that he is a GC rider. He is primarily a classics and stage rider who can perform on GC given his day. As a result he is wasting his time on TDF GC and once committed to GC you are too tired to do anything else.abstractengineer10-11-2026
- 🐐❤️Lozza09-11-2026
- This is such a black eye to women's professional cyclocross if this result remains. Marie Schreiber won this race fairly. This finish is not unlike others in cyclocross. Lots of moving around to get to the finish not to cut anyone off , but to generate a sprint on soft wide tires caked with mud and sand. This is not nearly the same as a road race between two riders sprinting to the finish on faster bikes and thinner firmer tires. The powers in charge need to use some common sense, reverse this result and remember this is Cyclocross not Road racing. Unbelievable. . .Zencycle09-11-2026
- Tis beyond your comprehension fine sir so best not to look on with blind eyes to THE GOATS greatness.
Brucegel09-11-2026 - McNulty winning was beneficial in ensuring the rainbow jersey would not remain winless
Front24209-11-2026 - Eccelente! That's 7 riders in total in Red Bull who come from the devo team, 8 if you include Lipo
Rafionain-Glas09-11-2026 - again, nothing is going to be resolved. it is a discussion board. I simply said I didn't see how MS impeded LBs sprint. the UCI doesn't care about my thoughts, and I am really not that emotionally invested in it.mij09-11-2026
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