"Starting to get fed up with getting crushed" - Tadej Pogacar's dominance through the eyes of a rival
Cycling
Alex Baudin is not a rider who has come directly to battle with Tadej Pogacar often throughout the past year but he - like many others - very much feels the effect of the Slovenian's presence in any race, and is honest about how it is quite annoying to rarely find breathing room to take wins.
"Honestly, it's funny at first. But this year, unfortunately, my schedule has been very similar to Pogacar's. And, even without being defeatist, otherwise we wouldn't start, we know very well what's going to happen in the final." Baudin told DicoduSport. “He's two legs ahead of everyone else. In the peloton, many are starting to get fed up with getting crushed".
Baudin expresses an opinion that is certainly very much present in the peloton, but isn't frequently said publicly. Baudin himself felt the 'Pogacar effect' as on the first of the final three mountain stages at the Criterium du Dauphiné. There, he was caught in the final ascent to Combloux after UAE chased on for many kilometers to take what would be his first dominant win, on a climb where minutes were gained even though it was the 'easiest' of the three stages.
Elsewhere, Baudin also believes the World Champion's dominance in the races is not the most entertaining for fans. "It's true, it's great for cycling on television to see attacks 100 kilometers from the finish. But it also kills the suspense. Pogacar, he kills the race a bit. Every time he's there, everyone's chasing second place".
Ups and downs ahead of the Tour de France
"We had a great group. And the Tour de France is an incredible experience. When I think back on it, I feel like it wasn't even real. With the team, we were at altitude before the Dauphiné. And when I go to altitude, I 'work' very well right afterwards. So it was at the Dauphiné that I had one of my best moments of the year," he says, having possibly won a stage if it weren't for UAE's chasing.
However at the Tour very little stages were taken by the breakaway and Baudin didn't stand much of a chance. Afterwards things did not get better. "But my level started to drop right at the start of the Tour. On top of that, I was sick: I caught a small virus, not very serious, but it didn't help".
However the 24-year old - who briefly led the Tour de Romandie this spring - will not give up on that goal despite the presence of incredible climbers in the current peloton: "I would dream of winning a stage of the Tour de France. It doesn't matter which one, it's so prestigious.”
Paul Seixas
Asked about his compatriot Paul Seixas who may in the future also contest for the Tour de France with the current best riders in the peloton, he had nothing but good to say. "It's impressive to see a young rider like him".
"He already has his head screwed on and is very mature for his age. I think he has that certain something of a great champion. I truly believe he will become a big name in cycling and will leave his mark on the history of French cycling,” said Baudin.
Paul Seixas on the podium of the European Championships road race. @Sirotti
Rúben SilvaEditor-in-Chief
A founding contributor to CyclingUpToDate since its launch in January 2022, Ruben Silva has played a central role in shaping the site’s editorial direction and long-term growth. Before joining the project, he built his experience through independent blogging at Echelons Hub and by producing race previews for Ciclismo Internacional, developing a strong analytical voice rooted in daily engagement with professional cycling.
Beyond editorial work, he has been closely involved in the expansion and coordination of CyclingUpToDate’s wider network, helping establish and support sister platforms across multiple languages. This includes ongoing collaboration with CiclismoAlDia (Spanish), CiclismoAtual (Portuguese), WielrennenUpToDate (Dutch), and RadsportAktuell (German), contributing to a shared editorial vision and consistent international coverage.
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Originally from the Porto metropolitan area in Portugal, he holds a bachelor’s degree in Geography. His path into cycling journalism was shaped not through formal media training, but through independent reporting, community engagement, and sustained on-the-ground involvement in the sport.
Over the course of his career, he has conducted approximately 100 interviews across road cycling and cyclocross, ranging from one-to-one conversations and online formats to press conferences and on-site pre- and post-race coverage. His interviews include leading riders, team managers, and prominent figures within cycling media: Tadej Pogacar, Jonas Vingegaard, Mathieu van der Poel, Primoz Roglic, Wout van Aert, Joao Almeida and Tom Pidcock; managers like Patrick Lefevere and Joxean Matxin; and YouTube personality Bryan Kennedy (BKXC)...
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captmike19-10-20253
Sore loser
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- many people advise him to grow slowly and rather do giro and/or vuelta instead of tdf. but i can totally understand that he is not satisfied with taking over once pogi declines, but instead beat him in his prime. so if he goes for tdf again, i‘m all for it. let‘s hope that pogi recovers soon!Ketterechts07-11-2026
- So gracious to offer something no-one would be prepared to pay for. The Giro is not the Tour and doesn’t command the same interest or attract the same “elite” (those willing to pay to be a part of something they consider has ego boosting potential). Roadside viewing will always largely remain free for everyone outside circuits. Introduction of a symbolic entrance to mountain climbs is worthy of exploration. Asking 1-2€ isn’t going to repulse real fans (most will spend 50-100€ on their outing that day all things included) but will prevent a portion of the total knobhead thrillseekers who will join in any large gathering as long as it’s free, just because they’re attracted to crowds, without which it it difficult for them to work up their anti-social behaviour.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- How is radio going to help when someone went over a cliff or bridge or off the roadside into a forest unnoticed and is laying there unconscious?Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- 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
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