"Shows a lack of humility towards his rivals" - Philippe Gilbert unleashes strange criticism of Pogacar

Just a day after Tadej Pogacar claimed his first Critérium du Dauphiné title in commanding fashion, former world champion Philippe Gilbert offered an unexpected and rather pointed criticism of the Slovenian.

Writing on his personal 'X' account, Gilbert accused Pogacar of showing a “lack of humility” and suggested he may have made “the first mistake of his career.”

“A few weeks before the Tour,” Gilbert wrote, “Tadej Pogacar may have made the first mistake of his career by showing a lack of humility towards his rivals, a mistake of youth that can be corrected, because I am sure that his natural character will soon return and with it his positive image.”

What’s striking, however, is that Gilbert didn’t specify what part of Pogacar’s behaviour was problematic. Was it his aggressive riding? His post-stage interviews? His dominance? His smile?

Let’s rewind. Pogacar lost time in the time trial, and went into the final mountain stages behind Jonas Vingegaard and Remco Evenepoel. He responded by attacking hard in both mountain finishes, putting time into both rivals and sealing the overall with three stage wins. Along the way, he chased down a dangerous move from Vingegaard on Stage 1 and outsprinted Mathieu van der Poel, something few riders are capable of. Was that disrespectful?

Was it a “lack of humility” to try and win a race?

Pogacar is often praised precisely because he doesn’t ride defensively. He races instinctively, attacks early, and embraces the responsibility of being a leader. If he had sat on Vingegaard’s wheel or soft-pedalled to avoid appearing too dominant, would that have been more acceptable?

Gilbert’s comment raises more questions than it answers. It is not clear what behaviour he disliked. There were no gestures of arrogance, no dismissive quotes, and no public criticisms of rivals. Pogacar’s only crime seems to have been that he won, comfortably, and didn’t apologise for it.

It’s also hard not to see the irony. Gilbert was himself a rider known for aggressive racing and seizing moments when they came. In his prime, he won by dropping rivals with sheer strength and style. If anything, Pogacar is a rider very much in Gilbert’s mould: bold, instinctive, and often better than everyone else.

And so, we’re left to wonder whether the real issue here is tone or timing. Is Pogacar being criticised for winning too much? For being open about his ambitions? For racing year round when others, like Vingegaard, are still cloaked in mystery?