“You race for second place when you race against Pogacar” – Movistar’s latest talent reveals astonishing level of Tadej Pogacar
Cycling
Flashback to last September at the World Championships in
Zurich, a day that will forever be etched in cycling history. Tadej Pogacar
completed his extraordinary Triple Crown by securing the World Championship
rainbow jersey, capping off a season that saw him win the Tour de France, Giro
d'Italia, and World Championships.
But while Pogacar’s win dominated headlines, another rising
star also made his mark in Zurich. 21-year-old Spaniard Iván Romeo won the Under-23
Time Trial, announcing himself as a name to watch for the future. The 6ft 4in
Movistar Team rider also finished ninth in the Under-23 Road Race, showing to
the world he is a serious prospect.
Fast forward to 2025, and Romeo is already proving that his
success in the U23 ranks was no fluke. A stage win at the Volta a la Comunitat
Valenciana and a 4th-place finish overall at the UAE Tour, where he also won
the Best Young Rider classification, have verified his place among cycling’s
most promising talents.
Romeo’s outlook on the sport is refreshingly unique. While
most young riders grow up idolising the legends of cycling, his inspiration
came from a different world.
"My idols were basketball players because their
mentality is like mine. Cycling is very modest, so I feel a bit more for
basketball. I think we miss that a bit in cycling," he told Rouleur.
That mentality translates into how he approaches training
and racing. Unlike many of his peers who immerse themselves fully in the
sport’s rigorous structure, Romeo believes that keeping cycling fun is the key
to success.
"Keeping cycling fun is something I try to do. I think
sometimes we are too serious in general, with training camps and things like
that. Sometimes you don't enjoy it."
For Romeo, enjoyment directly correlates to performance. "When
I'm on altitude training, weighing my food and being super focused, I'm
stressed and therefore not good on the bike. When I'm at home, training with my
friends and having fun, I'm better. I might be a kilo heavier, but then I'm a
better cyclist."
This philosophy is a contrast to the increasingly scientific
and data-driven approach seen in modern cycling. While structured training and
marginal gains have led to significant performance improvements in the sport,
Romeo’s comments highlight the importance of mental strength, and how it goes
hand in hand with his peak performance.
Romeo’s preparation for his Under-23 Time Trial World
Championship title was as unorthodox as his mindset. Rather than following a
meticulously crafted, high-tech training plan, he kept things simple.
"I was there for two weeks with my father. I remember
that one day I had two hours. Then I did a five-kilometre circuit with a very
difficult descent in it. I did that lap fifteen times, and my father was
standing downstairs to tell me if there were any cars coming."
For Romeo, this simplicity is what cycling is all about. The
race itself was a moment of complete focus, free from distractions.
"I had nothing on my mind during that time trial. My
brain didn't have to do anything, only my legs."
Growing up in Valladolid, Romeo believes his hometown
provided the perfect environment to hone his time-trialling skills.
"Where I come from, in Valladolid, is the best place to
train for a time trial. There we have very long, straight roads. If you want to
train both the time trial and your mental strength, you go there. The
landscapes are all the same. There is also often wind, which also helps."
Romeo’s early 2025 results have proven that he is more than
capable of competing with the best in the professional peloton. His stage
victory at the Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana was a significant moment in his
young career.
"When I raced there, it felt different because I felt
at home," he said about winning in his home country. "Even though I
did crazy things then, it felt like training, as if I had done it before."
Riding at home clearly brings out the best in him, but his
performance at the UAE Tour was arguably even more impressive. Finishing 4th
overall behind Pogacar and securing the best young rider classification proved
that he is already capable of holding his own in a WorldTour stage race.
Competing at the highest level means racing against the
sport’s elite, and for Romeo, that meant going up against Tadej Pogacar in the
UAE Tour. The experience left a lasting impression.
"When you're riding close to him with other riders, and
also with other great riders, it feels a bit like, 'What's going on here? This
is weird.'"
Romeo briefly attempted to follow Pogacar’s wheel but
quickly realised the scale of the challenge. He shouldn’t worry, he’s certainly
not the first to find out the hard way why you shouldn’t follow Pog!
"You saw what happened then. In my experience, you race
for second place when you race against Pogačar. Still, it is nice to see what
your level is because racing against him is the hardest thing there is. So it
gives a good indication of where you stand."
This moment of reflection is telling. Rather than being
discouraged by the gap between himself and Pogacar, Romeo sees it as an opportunity
for growth, a benchmark to strive toward.
At just 21 years old, Ivan Romeo’s career is still in its
early stages, but his rapid progression suggests a bright future ahead. His
combination of raw talent, unique mentality, and willingness to learn from the
best sets him apart from many of his contemporaries.
With Movistar Team investing heavily in young talent, Romeo
has the platform to develop into a future Grand Tour contender or a dominant
force in one-day races. His ability to time-trial at an elite level and his
growing confidence in stage racing make him an exciting talent who could thrive
across multiple disciplines.
If he can continue balancing his love for the sport with his
competitive drive, there’s every reason to believe that Romeo will be a major
name in professional cycling for years to come. His results so far in 2025
indicate that his rise is only just beginning, and Spanish cycling can start to
get excited.
Fin MajorCycling Journalist
Fin Major is a UK-based writer at CyclingUpToDate and has been part of the team since 2024. He is the site’s main writer for FAQs and evergreen explainers and has written around 2,000 pieces for the platform. Alongside this work, he focuses on in-depth analysis and covers the biggest races on the calendar, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, providing clear context around performance trends, tactics, and key storylines.
In his reporting, Fin uses reputable data sources such as ProCyclingStats for results, statistics, and historical context. He places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. Outside of writing, Fin is an active cyclist, which supports his practical understanding of the sport and its demands.
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- I live in Maribor.PogiSloFans14-11-2026
- I live in Ljubljana and often go on trips in the surrounding area, where I frequently see young cyclists in 'Pogi Team' jerseys training, either alone or in groups. By simply motivating so many young people to take up cycling, Tadej has already achieved something truly significant.Velijo14-11-2026
- That's an excellent point. It's interesting that Vader came to that realization only after he learned that his contract wasn't going to be renewed.
santiagobenites14-11-2026 - Indeed! A reluctant gift maybe. Even more reluctant gift from Roglic! Tho I can’t see that Rog would have beaten Ving anyway.Lozza14-11-2026
- That really nasty crash in 2022 Liege must have played a big part - broken ribs, pneumothorax. You only have to look at his points tallies pre and post.Lozza14-11-2026
- Yeah, good luck getting tv and race organisers like ASO etc to part with their cash!Lozza14-11-2026
- 36 and Ineos have bought a rider on the downward slope. Bring back Dave and Rob who could manage the team. How are Ineos going to win a grand tour with people past their sell by date.paultryan200214-11-2026
- Mmmm would he be making these comments when he was on the richest team when riding. I think not i suspect. If we want money put into the sport we need sponsors who are prepared to put the money in. No disrespect but his team are 2nd or 3rd div in football terms with riders over the hill or 2nd string riders. If i was a sponsor i would be looking at what publicity am i getting back and Tudor really are just making up the numbers really.paultryan200214-11-2026
- I see (elsewhere) that Alaphilippe had more to say than what got relayed in this stub. Me: he was very good early but his latter third trajectory was the pits. His old boss did what he could (huffed and puffed) but Julian couldn't get his greatness back. Sometimes I wonder if crashes that didn't look like much changed the course of the rider.flyer14-11-2026
- I wouldn't classify it as a gift because the nasty consequences of taking it from Sepp would have been great and would persist and he knew it.flyer14-11-2026
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