"It is funny and I mean that cynically. We got that last year" - Visma DS sticks up for Tadej Pogacar amidst doping questions following incredible Tour de France

Team Visma | Lease a Bike sports director Merijn Zeeman caused quite the stir a few days ago when he seemed to suggest that Tadej Pogacar's percieved greediness was not going to win the Slovenian any friends in the peloton. Now though, the DS has come to Pogacar's defence amidst talk of doping.

"This is the best version of him we have ever seen," begins Zeeman in conversation with De Telegraaf. "I gave the answer that we as a team have experienced that if you win a lot, you make enemies. In 2022, no one congratulated us anymore, because we won the Tour and five stages. The outside world also finds it difficult if you win a lot. I never said that Pogacar should give anything away, that is up to him. In fact, I understand very well that you want to win a lot and I have nothing but respect for him and his team."

Nevertheless, whilst not in direct relation to his greediness perhaps, Pogacar's all conquering dominance at first the Giro d'Italia and now the Tour de France, have brought up the topic of doping within some cycling circles. Given cycling's murky past in relation to doping, there will always be some who react with trepidation when a rider gives such astonishing performances as Pogacar has throughout the last few months.

"It is funny and I mean that cynically. We got that last year," recalls the Team Visma | Lease a Bike DS, referring to similar accusations made against Jonas Vingegaard, following the Dane's high level in 2023. " You can set your watch by when the boos and insinuations start. It is unfair. Let it be clear that it is good that there are critical questions from the media and that we are self-critical. It is unfounded. If someone just shouts something, you can't do anything with it. It is especially unfair when you see the sacrifices, efforts and dedication these riders make for their sport. Pogacar has lived like a monk for the past four months with altitude training and ridden the Giro and Tour. He has worked very hard, that deserves respect."