"To then utter magic words like forming an alliance... that just doesn't work" - Would teaming up against Pogacar beat him? Former riders disagree
Cycling
With Tadej Pogacar the overwhelming favourite for the 2026 Tour de France, some cycling commentators have suggested that an allied approach among the chasers could be enough to de-throne the four-time champion.
Although Jonas Vingegaard is fancied by some to have Pogacar's number at times during the race, while doubts remain over the Dane's ability to stick with the UAE Team Emirates - XRG leader over 21 stages, challengers like Paul Seixas, Florian Lipowitz and Remco Evenepoel are lining up in the podium battle.
In the face of Pogacar's individual dominance, could some co-operation between the challengers force Pogacar's hand? Ex-professional Oliver Naesen doesn't think it's as easy as Evenepoel and Seixas teaming up in the midst of a mountain stage.
Naesen said on the HLN Cycling Podcast: “What is that then, a block against Pogacar? If Evenepoel were to say to Seixas now: 'If you attack now, I'm not going to follow...' That doesn't happen.”
When it comes to teams' ambitions for reaching the Tour de France podium, former Olympic champion Greg van Avermaet thinks an alliance is out of the question, and that legs alone trump tactics or co-operating with rivals.
Van Avermaet doesn't think alliance would work against Pogacar
Van Avermaet said: “All teams have put so much work into their preparation. Standing on the podium is already a goal in itself for many riders.
"To then utter magic words like forming an alliance... that just doesn't work. Racing is simply far too hard for that. Sometimes some tactics are involved. But often it is the legs that count.”
Naesen turned his attention to team tactics, referencing Team Visma | Lease a Bike's repeated strategy of controlling stages and making them difficult for Pogacar. He believes that the strategy plays into his hands and defeats the purpose.
“I often find that strange,” he notes. “Visma | Lease a Bike says that often. But if you make the race hard, and your opponent is much better than you, for whom are you making the race hard? Isn't that just playing into your opponent's hands? You should actually try to make the race as easy as possible.”
Pogacar's dominance compared to Merckx
When it comes to Pogacar dominance, Naesen compares it to Eddy Merckx's cannibal days of dominance. Although noting that fans may be frustrated by his all-conquering victories, his legend will live long in the memory.
Naesen said: “It does remind me of what you hear in legend, the days of Eddy Merckx. At the time, it might be annoying to watch. But I can certainly appreciate those performances.”
Van Avermaet agreed, likening Pogacar dropping professionals at will to making them seem amateur: "It is like us dropping a recreational cyclist on the flat. We just have to put in a little effort, and then he drops back. That is the feeling the pros have with Pogacar. If he puts in a bit of effort, they drop back. If you can do that at the highest level, it must feel amazing.”
Gavin QuinnCycling Journalist
Gavin Quinn is a cycling journalist and ultra-distance cyclist with a BA in Journalism from Dublin City University. Formerly the Press & Communications Officer for Cycling Ireland, Gavin has worked inside the national team at the World Championships and has reported for the Irish Mirror, Mirror UK, and The42.
His expertise is backed by elite-level access, having interviewed stars like Sam Bennett and Ben Healy, as well as immense personal endurance. In 2025, he completed a 12,000km solo cycle from Ireland to Vietnam, following a 4,600km tour across Europe. From the cobbles of Paris-Roubaix to the gradients of the Tourmalet, Gavin’s writing focuses on the "romance and brutality" of the sport. Having visited 50+ countries, he brings a global, cultural perspective to his coverage of the pro peloton for CyclingUpToDate.
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- guillaume martin is wuite a surprise as a gc rider.Ketterechts02-11-2026
- Who cares what Bruyneel thinks. He and his best mate Lance, the biggest fraud in the history of sport, have no place commenting on anything but how to lie and cheat!whit2pet02-11-2026
- Eeesh!Lozza02-11-2026
- bravo! a rider likes jonas needs motivation and he needs to believe in being able to reach goals. he - like anybody else in the world - doesn't believe that he can win the tdf with pogi present. and what's it worth for when pogi is not there? second class victory only. he has checked all three grand tours, so what is left if not retire? the classics! go for it, jonas!Ketterechts02-11-2026
- i am sure that under the pretext of medical examination a lot worse has happened when they were under.abstractengineer02-11-2026
- dude, Lemond never even was in the same race as Armstrong. He throws all these aspersions on other American riders who might usurp his throne as the greatest ever American racer. He doesn't say a single thing about (foreign) dopers who he actually raced against. Biggest douchebag move ever. I used to revere that guy, now I despise him. His actions are so weird.fatsupermodel02-11-2026
- This is just stupid, You do what you are good at not what you are weak at. He has no results to speak of when he participated. Even Froome, Conatdor had very little. With Pogi there he wont win none of the classics. he is already 30+ with a few years left at the top. It takes years to get good at classics. Is that really worth the effort???abstractengineer02-11-2026
- Sure, little fella.awp02-11-2026
- You'll be the ongoing joke of 2027 with anything you post here!frieders302-11-2026
- Awwww your inside information must be from PogiFanGirl. You two daughters of different mothers?frieders302-11-2026
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