"It's not many years ago that Sky dominated by riding in a different way" - Tadej Pogacar's dominance far from boring says Christopher Juul-Jensen

2024 has unquestionably been the year of Tadej Pogacar. Due to the Slovenian's immense dominance of this calendar year however, the question has been raised by some: Is the UAE Team Emirates leader making cycling boring? According to one man who has been on the receiving end of Pogacar's brilliance, the answer is a clear no.

Christopher Juul-Jensen was in the peloton at the recent Il Lombardia as Pogacar soloed towards another monumental victory. "I can read myself a bit that the joy of seeing him win is about to tip over. There are probably some who are becoming a little more critical of the way he rides," the Dane of Team Jayco AlUla tells Ekstra Bladet. "I will say, it is quite fascinating to experience how strong and dominant he is. I think it is appropriate that the world's best put the others in their place."

Even amongst those in the peloton, Pogacar has made a real impact via the manner of his victories more than anything, with the Slovenian a much talked about subject amongst fellow riders Juul-Jensen reveals. "Those I talk to in the field, we pretty much agree that he is the best, and you ride bike races to win," he explains. "That's what elite sport is all about."

As such, the 35-year-old does not agree with the idea that Pogacar 'wins too much'. "There was also talk during the Tour de France about whether he should start giving away stage wins as a kind of gift. I don't agree with that analysis. If you have the legs to win, then you have to do it. Both for his own sake but also for the sake of the team, who have slaughtered themselves all day and the season for his sake," Juul-Jensen insists. "It is not my victories that he takes. If it wasn't him, it was just someone else who won (laughs). It is probably worse for those who are at the same level in the same team and feel they are in the best shape of their lives and still lose."

"It was not many years ago that Sky dominated by riding in a different way. Back then it was very controlled and very predictable, he says, referring to the famous Sky train of powerful riders who kept the races locked until a few kilometres from the finish line," Juul-Jensen concludes. "The races are, I think, more exciting now, and attacks are made earlier."