THEMOVE Does Tadej Pogačar Even Need Modern Tech to Win the Tour? | THEMOVE+
Nov 7, 2025
Tadej Pogačar nearly withdrew from the Tour due to a knee injury, raising questions about his resilience. The hosts ponder whether he could have triumphed on older bikes, debating the impact of modern technology on performance. They dive into the significance of wheels and tires, noting that wider, modern setups offer major gains. Financial troubles for Jayco-AlUla spark discussions on cycling's unsustainable sponsorship model, while insights about comparing Pogačar to his rivals highlight his remarkable dominance in the sport.
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Injury Explains Conservative Racing
- Tadej Pogačar raced the final week of the Tour with a nagging knee injury that affected his energy and demeanor.
- Johan Bruyneel says that explains his conservative racing but also proves his dominance since he still won decisively.
No-Shower Team Ritual From Early Career
- Johan Bruyneel recalled his first pro stage race where directors forbade showers and instead wiped riders with alcohol to avoid 'bloating'.
- He followed that rule despite believing it was misguided, showing how old habits persist in sport culture.
Equipment Gains Shift Margins
- Modern wheel and tire technology plus gearing and aero advances meaningfully changed performance versus a decade ago.
- Bruyneel argues Pogačar likely could not have won the Tour on a 2015-level bike because tires, wheels, and gearing now save substantial watts.