In the 2025 season, Tadej Pogacar was once again the best cyclist in the world, by a wide margin. The Slovenian dominated virtually every race he entered. And when he didn’t win, he still left performances to remember, such as Milano–Sanremo or Paris–Roubaix. That’s why the criticism claiming he makes the sport boring is looking increasingly flimsy.
In the Kop over Kop podcast from Eurosport, several experts sat down to debate everything that happened on the road in 2025. Jeroen Vanbelleghem, Bobbie Traksel and Jan Hermsen shared their views on the main results from the calendar’s biggest races. And they all agreed that cycling was boring with Pogacar, at least in the season just finished.
"Spectacular, overwhelming and boring. That last word may be a shocking choice, but I have to mention it. Many races were decided from the start," Traksel began. "The best riders once again stood head and shoulders above the rest. Many races were settled tens of kilometres from the finish. That was mainly down to Tadej Pogacar."
"At times it was boring, mostly because of Pogacar. But luckily, he’s often spectacular in his boredom," added Hermsen, more measured as he pointed to the UAE Team Emirates - XRG superstar for resolving races too early.
"It was monotonous. In fact, it was a great season until midway through the Tour. Then the Slovenian began his absolute dominance. The Vuelta a España, with everything that happened, was hardly a fun Grand Tour. Lombardia was dull afterwards as well, because everyone already knew who was going to win," said Vanbelleghem, with a swipe at Javier Guillén’s race.
Tadej Pogacar basically didn't lose a race in 2025
Without forgetting the highlights
While pointing out what they see as the problem in today’s cycling, there was also time to discuss the year’s standout performances:
"Van Aert’s attack on Montmartre was a beautiful moment," said Vanbelleghem. "Even so, I think Pogacar’s move on the Cipressa at Milano–Sanremo was truly impressive. Although Van der Poel ultimately won the race, that attack had everything. It also whets the appetite for next year."
"The public voted for Van Aert in Paris," Traksel noted. "But I personally choose the Tour of Flanders. For me, it’s always the best race day. The stage over the Finestre is also rated very highly."
"For me, Milano–Sanremo tops everything. It really was the best day of racing. An unrivalled day, with the level sky-high and emotions to the limit,L Hermsen concluded.
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Ondrej ZhasilCycling Journalist
Ondřej Zhasil is a cycling journalist at CyclingUpToDate and has been part of the team since 2023. He is based in Ostrava, the third-largest city in the Czech Republic, and covers professional cycling across the main UCI competitions, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España. A key focus of his work is startlist analysis and pre-race coverage, where he examines team selections, rider line-ups, and tactical scenarios ahead of major events.
Alongside WorldTour coverage, Ondřej has developed specific expertise in junior cycling and in racing across East Asia, including competitions in China and Japan. He also maintains a broad working knowledge of other disciplines and levels, including cyclocross, while continuing to expand his understanding of mountain bike racing.
Ondřej holds a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and Physics, which supports his analytical, data-driven approach to performance and race analysis. In his reporting, he regularly uses ProCyclingStats for results, statistics, and historical context. He places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available.
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- 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
- My memories of Ivan Basso aren't good but I liked his sister Elisa ok.flyer07-11-2026
- I'm picking .... .... Never mind 🫥flyer07-11-2026
- If Tiberi has a better and more consistent 2027 I somehow doubt it will be because of this victorious warning. Unless his preparation has been off, cycling isn't football.flyer07-11-2026
- Love this guy. He is such a pure racer.mij07-11-2026
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