"Stop discussing this like it's a bad thing" - Adam Blythe calls criticism of Tadej Pogacar's attacking riding 'ridiculous'
Cycling
It's not taken long for Tadej Pogacar to start causing waves at the 2024 Giro d'Italia. Just a handful of stages in, the UAE Team Emirates leader has been attacking and vibrant throughout. With such a big year ahead though, this has led to some criticism of his lack of conservatism.
Nowhere was the recklessly spirited style of Pogacar more evident than in the finale of stage 3 when the Slovenian attacked in the finale of a sprint stage alongside his main Maglia Rosa rival Geraint Thomas. The duo almost managed to hold off the sprint trains before eventually being caught in the final few hundred metres as Tim Merlier took the stage win.
Was this use of energy advisable though? "Yes! Stop saying it shouldn't be advisable! Let's stop discussing this like it's a bad thing. I think it's great!" ex-pro turned analyst Adam Blythe answers emphatically on Eurosport's coverage of the race. "They spent two hours just cruising along...and then they made a three-minute effort and we're looking at it like it might ruin their chances at the Tour de France. Let's not be ridiculous."
"It's two and a half, three minutes. That isn't going to ruin them at the Tour de France. If he [Pogacar] does that every day, yes, but he won't do," continues Blythe. "He loves winning on his bike, regardless of money, he just absolutely loves winning. He wants to be the greatest ever. That's like putting his stamp on it: bunch sprint day, attacking near the final, winning a sprint that should have been a bunch sprint. Why not go for it? If he wants that status he needs to do those kind of rides."
Kieran WoodDeputy Editor-in-Chief
Kieran Wood is a sports journalist based in Wales and has been active in journalism since 2022. He regularly contributes to DartsNews.com and CyclingUpToDate.com, where he covers professional cycling and darts. In cycling, his work includes liveblogs from major races, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, alongside race reports and analysis. He has also conducted interviews with professional riders.
His reporting spans the full racing calendar, from one-day classics to stage races, with a focus on accurate, real-time coverage and clear contextual analysis. For statistics, results, and historical context, he regularly uses resources such as ProCyclingStats. To support reporting on rider activity and training context where relevant, he also references Strava.
In his work, Kieran places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles as new, verified information becomes available.
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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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3️⃣ days in pink, 3️⃣ different shorts colours 😂 Tadej Pogačar is having fun in the Maglia Rosa at the Giro d’Italia. 📸 Getty Images
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