Considered at just 26 years old as one of the biggest cyclists in history, Tadej Pogacar almost never launched out with professionals. Consequence of repeated doping cases.
Tadej Pogacar never ceases to write his legend. Sunday, the Slovenian indeed won a fourth Tour de France, thus approaching the record shared by Eddy Merckx, Jacques Anquetil, Bernard Hinault and Miguel Indurain with five successes on the Grande loop.
For some, he may only be 26 years old, he is already the biggest cyclist in history. A status that did not recognize Eddy Merckx in person after his victory during the last world championships.
However, from his mother’s confession, Tadej Pogacar almost never passed professional. Not because of its results in young people but because of the poor reputation of cycling.
“Tadej was 15 years old and wanted to stop the bicycle because we were still talking about a lot of doping”had told Marteja Pogacar to the JDD.
“Doping is the opposite of our education”
Andrej Hauptman, who will become his mentor and the coach of Slovenia, had just approached him, convinced by the potential of the native of Kamenda. The former runner of Lampre or Fassa Bartolo, who would have spotted him when he was only 12 years old, nevertheless was convincing. And this despite the gray areas that his career involves like this too high hematocrit level which will prevent him from competing in the Tour de France in 2000.
And as every summer when he wins the Tour de France, Tadej Pogacar must once again deal with doping accusations. Which is inevitably adapted to his mother badly. This was already the case in 2020 when he had knocked down his compatriot Primoz Roglic in the final time trial. “I can’t believe it”had blown the leader of the Visma, inevitably maintaining suspicion.
“Let us doubt your child, it’s awful. We have raised it honestly. Doping is the opposite of our education. I’m sure Tadej will never take a prohibited product ”, explained Marjeta Pogacar, insisting moreover on the precautions taken in the matter by his prodigy son.
