"Perhaps that's what makes people lose their minds" - Former World Tour pro Samitier on 'adapt or die' mentality in current pro cycling

Racing at the top level is harder than ever currently in pro cycling, as said by many riders, including Cofidis' Sergio Samitier - who provides a different point of view when it comes to salary cap, the preparation required just to be part of the peloton, and how teams adapt to the domination of Tadej Pogacar, Remco Evenepoel and the riders alike.

"As for the salary cap, I don't know, I'm not the one to decide that. It's clear that, as in all sports, the bigger the budget, the better the riders, infrastructure, equipment… everything is better. We'll do things with humility with what we have and as far as we can go. I can't commit myself too much, but from my position, I would implement it," Samitier said in an interview with Marca.

Samitier rode from 2020 to 2024 in Movistar and has since 2025 been part of Cofidis. In his first year with the Spanish team he proved himself to be a talented climber with potential to be a Grand Tour specialist, having finished 13th at the Giro d'Italia; however over the years the level has increased exponentially and he hasn't been able to replicate such results.

The 30-year old has raced the Vuelta a España two times in the past, the Giro d'Italia on three occasions; but hasn't made his debut at the Tour de France. That is also not part of the plans this year, even though the now-demoted Cofidis has an automatic wildcard for the race. "I want to be in the Vuelta, because it's a race I really enjoy. We'll leave the Tour to our French friends. I'm sure there will be Spanish representation, and I'm sure they'll do better than me".

His and the team's focus will rely heavily on the races that don't feature the 'main eventers'. Within Cofidis, there are little hopes of winning races where this generations' best are present, but they are not looking to battle with them.

"Well, by creating an alternative schedule to the one Pogacar uses. We know that when he's there, it's very difficult. Pogacar, Evenepoel… but well, we have to do our best," he explains. "And if Pogacar wins, we'll fight for second place".

However, the Spaniard does not see the domination of Pogacar as a bad thing for the sport, but quite the opposite: "I think cycling is booming. The Pogacar effect has brought many more people into the sport. Before, it was the Giro, the Tour, and the Vuelta. Now people follow more events. We need to find a balance".

Samitier has a contract until 2027 however he knows that to remain at a high level, he must be able to continuously adapt to the new technology, training methods and nutrition that are constantly developed so as to bring out the best out of the riders.

"Cycling has changed a lot. Now riders climb mountain passes at incredibly high power levels and nobody gets left behind. Everyone trains much harder. The average level is so high that it's very difficult now," he continues. Despite being a second division rider, a modest figure within the French team, he highlights the demands to keep himself competitive in the World Tour peloton.

"Everything is pushed to its limits. You get home and you still have to take care of yourself: hypoxia chamber (to replicate high altitude, ed.), weight, [food] app… Everything is meticulously controlled".

"Perhaps that's what makes people lose their minds," he argues. "It's a combination of factors. Some people know how to handle it and others don't. But it's clear that you either adapt or you die".