Pogacar‘s World Championship Win Fuels Renewed Doping Accusations
Tadej Pogacar’s dominant victory at the recent world Championships in Rwanda has reignited long-standing doping suspicions surrounding the Slovenian cyclist. Pogacar secured his second consecutive world title with a commanding performance on a course described as the most challenging in the event’s history.
The 24-year-old, a four-time Tour de France winner, launched a decisive attack on the slopes of Mount Kigali, 100 kilometers from the finish, ultimately completing a solo ride of 66 kilometers. He finished one minute and thirty seconds ahead of Remco Evenepoel and over two minutes clear of Ben Healy.
while Pogacar’s performance drew widespread praise, with some observers hailing him as potentially the greatest cyclist ever, it also sparked a fresh wave of accusations on social media and within the cycling community.These accusations aren’t new; Pogacar has faced scrutiny for years regarding the source of his exceptional power and endurance.
Several commentators have publicly voiced their concerns. Eric Boyer, a former professional cyclist and manager, stated during the recent Tour de France: “There is a kind of general cowardice on doping. The guys are completely overwhelmed,even disgusted by the appearance and domination of the UAE team. This gives a somewhat monotonous, sad and suspicious atmosphere. Many runners are annoyed, they are afraid and cry in secret at the foot of the buses. If they open it, I am told that they will pay it. Ok,but they are already paying. They take slaps in their mouths every day and do not revolt.” he further added, “You have to be lucid, the entourage of Tadej Pogacar does not plead in his favor.”
Samuel Bellenoue,former performance director of the Cofidis team,expressed his own skepticism: “I am a measure,I can’t be categorical about what’s going on. But as a coach,when we know a little physiology,we are a little disillusioned,we find it a little big. And the more it goes, the more the gap widens.”
Alban Lorenzini,a coach specializing in equipment and power calculations,noted a physiological anomaly: “With Tadej Pogacar,it is as if the fatigue of the previous passes did not exist. Runners pass the line by being suffocated, he has no grin, he does not breathe. But if you don’t breathe, weren’t you thoroughly or what?”
Frédéric Portoleau, an aeronautical and mechanical engineer specializing in fluids, recently shared his concerns, stating: “There is something abnormal with Tadej Pogacar,” suggesting a possible case of “blood doping” and claiming to have “detected data that was above its usual power profile.”
Pogacar consistently deflects these accusations when confronted by the media, responding with, “Think what you want, I have my conscience for me.”
The accusations continue to cast a shadow over Pogacar’s achievements, raising questions about the fairness and integrity of the sport.
