Slovenian ex-pro raves about Tadej Pogacar but warns "His downfall will come at some point. All cyclists start to lose form sooner or later"

Tadej Pogacar's 2024 season will go down in history as one of the greatest individual campaigns in cycling history. The Slovenian leader of UAE Team Emirates - XRG was all-conquering taking Grand Tours, Monuments and the first Rainbow Jersey of his career. For just how long can Pogacar continue being such a dominant force though?

"I don't know where his motivation and approach come from. But it seems that he enjoys cycling and explores its limits. He is not specialized in just one race," analyses former Slovenian national champion Martin Hvastija on Siol's Spotkast. "After a long period in cycling, we have again a cyclist who is versatile and wants to try different races. As I have discovered from recent conversations, he is the one who actually forces the team to be so diverse, to compete in so many different races. In fact, he is a cyclist who is in a way 'retro' or old-fashioned, which means that he wants to at least race all the races, if not win them. Such an approach is refreshing for cycling."

More than just an unquestioned ability, Hvastija also believes Pogacar's tactical mind is what sets him apart from the rest of the peloton, seeing things and sensing opportunities other riders would not, as seen by his World Championship winning attack from 100km out. "He doesn't follow established tactical patterns, but breaks them with ease," Hvastija comments on his compatriots unpredictability. "He can afford attacks that would mean suicide for others, and he succeeds. That's what makes him unique."

The question is though, for how much longer can Pogacar continue holding the best in the world at arms length? "Of course, his downfall will come at some point. All cyclists start to lose form sooner or later," Hvastija warns, although he doesn't think that downfall is imminent in Pogacar's case. "As long as there are no injuries or illnesses, he will continue to dominate. According to physiological standards, the best years for endurance sports are around 28, so he still has at least a few top seasons ahead of him."

Given Hvastija gives Pogacar "at least a few top seasons", does the 13-time Grand Tour rider see his compatriot getting to the landmark of 5 Tour de France victories in the coming years? "He would have had four if it weren't for Jonas Vingegaard." He added: "I think even seven wins is a real possibility, although the competition is constantly getting stronger. Scouting is taking place more and more all over the world, young talents are coming, so Pogacar won't have an easy path. But if he stays healthy and motivated, he can become one of the greatest of all time."