Also Provide Valuable Advice For Everyday Riders Looking To Push Their Limits.
Tadej Pogacar’s remarkable win at the 2024 Tour de France had cycling fans buzzing, but the
Slovenian star is now opening up about the tactical decisions that led to his iconic performance on
the Col du Galibier in the opening mountain stage. In a recent appearance on the ‘Inside the Ride’
podcast, Pogacar shared some fascinating details about his attack on the legendary climb, as well as
insights into his training methods and advice for amateur riders.
The Col du Galibier Attack: A Plan to Go Early, But the Timing Wasn’t Right.
Pogacar revealed that his original plan for the Col du Galibier stage was to make an attack much
earlier in the climb, but the timing just didn’t work out as expected. “I wanted to go earlier on the
climb, but then I attacked only 1 kilometer from the top,” Pogacar said, reflecting on the critical
moment that would ultimately shape his race. “The gaps were not as big as I hoped… Even to get a
10 or 20 second gap, I knew I had to go all out, but for everyone it’s the same.”
Although Pogacar only gained a few seconds on Jonas Vingegaard with his late attack, he knew that
the real opportunity lay in the descent. As Pogacar himself explained, “Everyone has to go all out,
the more you’re tired, the slower you go on the descent. Maybe you don’t have the same capabilities
of taking the good lines, you don’t see clearly if you’re super tired.”
This was where Pogacar’s reputation as one of the best descenders in the world came into play. He
extended his gap dramatically on the downhill, demonstrating that his descending skills were as
important as his climbing prowess in securing his victory.
Training Tips for Amateurs: High-Intensity, Short Sessions.
While Pogacar is known for his elite training, he also shared some valuable advice for riders with
less time to train. When asked how he would approach training with only three to five hours per
week, Pogacar suggested focusing on high-intensity efforts over longer sessions. “For sure, I would
split those hours into three or four days of training and I would keep short intensities, but really
high – maybe some explosive stuff, some VO2 max,” he said. “If you don’t have a lot of time, this is
how you can gain as much as possible.”
Pogacar also recommended keeping things fun and varied, incorporating challenges like FTP tests
to spice up the routine and keep motivation high. His philosophy is clear: make every session count,
even if you’re working with limited time.
Pogacar’s insights not only offer a peek behind the curtain at the meticulous planning that helped
him conquer the Tour, but also provide valuable advice for everyday riders looking to push their
limits.
