👑 PARIS, FR — The conversation surrounding Tadej Pogačar’s dominance has been given a unique historical perspective by French cycling icon Jeannie Longo, who sees the Slovenian superstar not as a threat to the sport, but as a mirror image of her own aggressive, unpredictable style. Longo, an Olympic gold medalist and 13-time World Champion who dominated women’s cycling for decades, offered the ultimate compliment: Pogačar reminds her of herself.
Longo, who is renowned for her longevity and fiercely independent racing style, dismissed the notion that Pogačar’s winning ways are boring. Instead, she argues that his success is rooted in a tactical genius that refuses to adhere to the rigid, predictable scripts that often dictate modern professional cycling.
The Longo Blueprint: Originality and Bravery
Longo argued that Pogačar wins precisely because he embraces originality and attacks where his rivals least expect it. This strategy, she explained, is a hallmark of truly great riders.
“I think that tactically, he does things that I used to do — original things,” Longo explained. “You shouldn’t attack where everyone expects you to. And that’s what Tadej does.”
While many Grand Tour contenders are trained to conserve energy and wait for a specific, designated final climb or a last-lap sprint, Pogačar routinely throws out the conventional playbook. His signature long-range attacks—often launched with over 80 kilometers remaining in a race—are acts of bravery that Longo deeply admires.
“He has a tactical side that I really like: brave, unpredictable,” she said, adding the impressive qualifier: “And he does 80-kilometre time trials!”
This blend of raw aggression, stunning endurance, and tactical surprise is, in Longo’s mind, the purest and most exciting way cycling should be ridden. By attacking early and often, Pogačar forces his competitors to race reactively, constantly draining their energy reserves.
A Legacy of Aggression
Longo’s endorsement carries tremendous weight. During her peak in the 1980s and 1990s, she was known for her own powerful, individualistic style that allowed her to win five World Road Race titles and the Olympic Road Race gold in 1996. Her comparison to Pogačar suggests that the Slovenian is not merely statistically dominant, but represents a spiritual successor to the bold, uncompromising attacking spirit that defined her era.
For Pogačar, receiving praise from a legend known for her high standards and sharp analysis is a significant honor. It reinforces the idea that his success is not merely a product of advanced training data or team strength, but a result of his own unique, brave approach to the sport. As the World Champion continues to reshape the landscape of professional cycling, Longo’s observation serves as a powerful reminder that unpredictability remains the most potent weapon in a champion’s arsenal.