"I would ask Pogacar to make public all his parameters, his data, what he does" - TotalEnergies boss calls for action from Tadej Pogacar to improve cycling's credibility

In French cycling there is still a lot of tradition, long-standing managers and above all no fear to talk about the difficult matters in the sport. Jean-René Bernaudeau, manager of the TotalEnergies team, recently talked about Tadej Pogacar, praising the Slovenian - but never forgetting cycling's reputation and what the World Champion can do to be part of the solution, not the problem.

“There are two worlds in cycling at the moment. It’s incredible to see this difference in level. Once upon a time, if you didn’t make changes, you could still stay behind the best, on the wheel. Now that doesn’t happen anymore," Bernaudeau said in an interview with RMC Sport.

"Pogacar? He’s an exceptionally strong athlete, he has a nice face and he’s a nice character, but I would like him to do something more, in terms of being such a high-level athlete.” Such a statement of course leads to questions, however the Frenchman was quick to explain what sort of action from the UAE Team Emirates - XRG rider would lead to the decrease of doubts regarding performances in the sport.

Not only is the Slovenian's versatility and dominance a worrying sign for a fraction of the sport's fans, but the climbing values that he has achieved in 2024 have been nothing but jaw-dropping, specially at the Tour de France where he, Jonas Vingegaard and Remco Evenepoel all climbed at a level that was unthinkable going back as little as five years ago. Because of it's dark part, the sport is in continuous need of reasurance regarding it's athletes.

“I would like him to give us some guarantees. We in cycling live with suspicion. We had the Festina scandal and we are not immune to another scandal and I do not think that cycling can face another one like this. Do I have doubts? No, but it is a shame that not all teams join the Movement for Credible Cycling," he laments. "Why don’t they do it? Cycling spends a lot on research and the MPCC itself bans the use of some products".

Bernaudeau points out a clear aspect in which the peloton may ride in 'two different gears'. "But then there are ketones, which I don’t even know what they are. But then there is carbon monoxide, which some inhale and I don’t know why they do it. But these things are undoubtedly catastrophic for our credibility. Ketones certainly do not cure sore throats and carbon monoxide can also kill people. And there are teams that use it".

TotalEnergies remains at ProTeam level and is part of the MPCC, however the team's security seems to be continuously assured due to it's constant presence at the Tour de France and big wins such as Anthony Turgis' last year on the gravel stage.

“I have to give credibility to my work, to my sponsors and I am determined to do so. We all should be. I do not want to insinuate doubts, but I would ask Pogacar to make public all his parameters, his data, what he does. And then we should keep the samples of his tests for the next 10 years, when scientific research will have made further progress," he concluded.