Michael Matthews, an elite cyclist and frequent training partner of Tadej Pogacar, reveals a mind-boggling experience that left him in awe of the World Champion's climbing prowess. Witnessing a legend in the making is how he describes it.
During a training ride at the iconic Col de la Madone, a mountain revered by cycling greats like Lance Armstrong and Chris Froome, Matthews witnessed Pogacar shatter his own climbing record. This mountain, a 14.5-kilometer ascent at a 7% gradient, has been the testing ground for many of the world's top cyclists due to its strategic location near Monaco and Nice.
Matthews recounts in the Roadman podcast, "We rode for about an hour at an intense pace, pushing ourselves to the limit. Then, Tadej went on to set his fastest time ever on Madone." The Australian sprinter, no slouch himself, was left bewildered. "I was doing close to 400 watts, and he just rode past me like it was a casual training ride. It's hard to fathom the speed and ease with which he climbed."
But here's where it gets extraordinary: Matthews, who has trained with Pogacar numerous times and attributes much of his own success to these sessions, admits that even he couldn't fully comprehend the magnitude of Pogacar's talent until he saw the video footage. "When you watch the video, you realize you're witnessing something special. Seeing him ride past while I'm giving it my all is just mind-blowing."
Pogacar's dominance isn't a recent phenomenon. He has been at the pinnacle of the sport, winning the Tour de France, World Championships, and numerous other prestigious races. Yet, his climbing ability continues to astonish even his closest peers.
Matthews highlights the magnitude of Pogacar's achievement by comparing it to the times set by Lance Armstrong on the same climb, emphasizing that the technological advancements in cycling equipment also play a significant role in these records. But, he adds, "From what I saw with my own eyes, it was an incredible feat."
A controversial question arises: Is Tadej Pogacar's success solely due to his talent, or do technological advancements in cycling equipment play an equal, if not greater, role? What do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments, and let's spark a lively discussion on this intriguing topic.
