Tadej Pogacar triumphed in the 2023 Tour de France, claiming his fourth title despite grappling with fatigue during the latter stages of the race. After establishing a significant lead over rival Jonas Vingegaard in the Pyrenees, Pogacar managed to maintain his position through to the finish in Paris on July 23, 2023.
In a post-race press conference, Pogacar acknowledged that his weariness presented a notable challenge. “We were comfortably in yellow, but yeah, I was tired in the last week,” he stated. While expressing satisfaction with his victory, he noted, “For now, I want to enjoy this moment with the yellow jersey in Paris.”
Rivalry Evolves
The competition between Pogacar and Vingegaard has shifted this year, with both riders expressing mutual respect. Pogacar remarked on their evolving relationship, saying, “Jonas opened up a bit more this year. He comes [over] and we talk about stuff, general stuff. I quite like the guy and I like to race against him.”
Both athletes reflected on their intense rivalry over the past five years, with Pogacar emphasizing the privilege of competing against each other. “We spoke about how we can be privileged to have this competition between each other and how it makes us grow even more,” he added.
Vingegaard, who finished second, admitted that his performance was inconsistent. “I can agree that on some stages I have had the highest level that I have ever had, and in other stages I have had the lowest level for many years for me,” he explained. Despite the setbacks, he acknowledged his overall improvement, stating, “I am better than I ever have been, but it’s shown me that I can still have a few bad days.”
Managing Burnout
Pogacar’s experience during the Tour prompted him to address the issue of athlete burnout. He noted, “Burnouts happen in a lot of sports, mental burnout, physical burnout. I think cyclists are a bit too obsessed with training.”
He discussed the pressures faced by cyclists to constantly perform, which can lead to exhaustion. “You see riders with fatigue too early in the season… and you keep going and you never really recover,” he explained. This insight highlights the mental and physical demands of competitive cycling.
Looking ahead, Pogacar is already contemplating future races, including a potential Grand Depart in Slovenia in 2029. Meanwhile, Vingegaard is preparing for the Vuelta a España, the final Grand Tour of the year, which Pogacar is unlikely to participate in. “I think first of all, I will do an easy week and from there, you can start training again,” Vingegaard said, reflecting on his strategy to recover.
As Pogacar celebrates his latest victory, both cyclists underscore the complexities of competition and the relentless pursuit of excellence in the world of professional cycling.
