Invited to the Base Camp program on RMC Sport, Arnaud Démare, recently retired after 14 years in the professional peloton and 97 victories, delivered a candid analysis of Tadej Pogacar’s overwhelming dominance.
For Arnaud Démare, Tadej Pogacar’s supremacy is such that it almost becomes boring for the Slovenian himself. The four-time Tour de France winner no longer faces any real opposition, to the point where he seeks challenges where he is most vulnerable. This is why he decided to participate in Paris-Roubaix.
Démare doesn’t hold back: “Yes, I think Pogacar is the best cyclist in history. He is so bored that he thinks, ‘I’m going to do Roubaix because I want challenges.’ He needs to challenge himself. At some point, he gets bored. He comes to Roubaix, he knows he can’t win.”
Amid the weariness on the Tour and excitement on the cobbles
This undisputed dominance eventually impacts the very essence of the races, especially on the Tour de France. Démare’s observation is straightforward: “It’s starting to be hard to watch the Tour but on Roubaix, everyone wanted to see what would happen. Would he win? It’s courageous, he has the will to come, he’s not afraid.”
In the relative monotony of the Tour de France, Paris-Roubaix becomes a moment of uncertainty, almost redemptive. Démare is convinced of this. Despite finishing second twice in two participations, Pogacar will eventually add “Hell of the North” to his list of achievements. “What he’s doing is already huge and at some point, he will tick that off.”
“You race for second place when he’s around”
What impresses the former sprinter the most is the extreme versatility of the UAE Team Emirates-XRG leader. “He is so strong that he is strong in everything. Even in sprinting, he was beaten by Van Aert (at Paris-Roubaix). He lacks the sprinter’s punch, if we can say he lacks that.”
Beyond the physical qualities, it’s the almost insolent ease of the Slovenian that strikes the Frenchman: “He knows he’s comfortable. On the Tour de France, he even lets the breakaway go and we won’t catch them. So, you think you’ll position yourself for the climb to drop him, you’re flat out and he’s chatting, he’s comfortable. And then you say to yourself that you won’t last long. He is so strong.”
A realization that leads to a form of resignation in the peloton, especially among climbers and punchers: “If I were in the place of punchers and climbers, it would be frustrating. I won on other races but it’s sure that you race for second place when he’s around.”
“He wants to write a story that no one else has done”
In conclusion, Arnaud Démare leaves no doubt about Tadej Pogacar’s place in cycling history. “Pogacar is a legend and he wants to continue writing the legend. He wants to write a story that no one else has done.”
One question remains almost dizzying for the peloton: how far will Tadej Pogacar go? Because according to Démare, the Slovenian is no longer just racing to win, but to push the limits of a sport that he seems to dominate with his head and shoulders. And in this quest, even his rare “challenges” could eventually become new certainties.
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