Ever wondered what it would be like to go toe-to-toe with the greatest cyclist of our time? Imagine pedaling alongside Tadej Pogacar, the four-time Tour de France champion, as he effortlessly conquers one of Slovenia's most brutal mountain climbs. Sounds thrilling, right? But here's where it gets real: you’re not just watching—you’re racing him. And this is the part most people miss: it’s not just about the physical challenge; it’s a humbling, eye-opening experience that reveals the sheer gap between amateur passion and professional precision.
The invitation arrived just three days before Pogacar defended his title in the men's World Championship road race. It promised an opportunity of a lifetime: to cycle with the world’s best. But, as with all things that sound too good to be true, there was a catch. Participants had to tackle the 15-kilometer ascent from Pogacar’s hometown, Komenda, to the summit of Krvavec, a climb notorious for its punishing gradients. While the official average gradient was 7.6%, sections spiked to over 20%. For Pogacar, this was just another day at the office. For the rest of us? A test of willpower, endurance, and humility.
Among the hundreds of amateurs who gathered that crisp Sunday morning in Komenda, the mood was a mix of excitement and trepidation. Pogacar, resplendent in his rainbow world champion jersey, stood at the starting line, a living legend in our midst. But here’s where it gets controversial: while some saw this as a chance to measure themselves against greatness, others questioned whether amateurs should even attempt such a feat. Was it inspiring or just setting people up for failure?
A fellow Brit based in Slovenia, Dave Goddard, summed it up perfectly: “My main goal is to avoid humiliation.” Anja Licen, a local rider who won her spot through a radio contest, echoed the sentiment: “I just hope I’m not the last one.” Meanwhile, Austrian duo Sandra Burtscher and Michael Mangeng, sporting matching Pogacar-endorsed white bikes, admitted their nerves. Sandra was anxious about racing with so many people, while Michael joked he’d only see Pogacar “for a short time.”
Spoiler alert: he was right.
After granting us a vague head start of “a few minutes,” Pogacar did what he does best—he hunted us down with ruthless efficiency. In my case, he breezed past me within the first 2 kilometers. For context, I’m no stranger to cycling, but my recent rides involved a vintage Japanese shopping bike or casual Strava segments on the school run. Road biking? It had been decades, and I’d had just two weeks to prepare. My friend Mark Koghee, a former pro team sporting director, called my endeavor “quite stupid” but offered sage advice: “You can’t improve your fitness in two weeks. Just prepare your body for the shock. Climb as much as you can, so the pain isn’t as brutal.”
Another friend, Marin Medak, lent me his drop-bar bike for practice. When I asked if I could conquer Krvavec on it, he quipped, “Only if you install an electric engine.” Spoiler: I didn’t. I reached the summit 53 minutes after Pogacar, a testament to both his dominance and my survival.
Surprisingly, Pogacar wasn’t the first to cross the finish line. That honor went to Andrew Feather, a 40-year-old British lawyer and four-time Hill Climbing Champion. “I set a high tempo early on and soloed to the top,” he told the BBC. Simple, right? Except Feather is one of the few riders to finish ahead of Pogacar this year—a feat he called a “once-in-a-lifetime experience.”
At the post-race celebration, Pogacar was relaxed, joking, “You can’t win them all.” Yet, even after a season of unprecedented success—a fourth Tour de France win, world and European titles, and three ‘monument’ victories—his hunger was palpable. “If you love what you do, motivation isn’t hard,” he said. “I’m open to everything.”
But here’s the real question: Does racing against a legend like Pogacar inspire or intimidate? Does it bridge the gap between amateurs and pros, or highlight the chasm? Share your thoughts in the comments—let’s spark a debate!
