Is Pog burnt out?

Arequipa · 28-07-2025 04:51PM #1

Hi!

I hope you are all well.

I have been watching the tour over the ladt few weeks & while I enjoyed it, I was hoping for more competition for Pog.. he just seems to be 1/2 levels ahead of everyone in the Peleton.. Vingagaard was the only rider who get get even close to him.

I was watching interviews of Pog over the last couple of weeks: he has seemed to have become increasingly sullen, tired and maybe even burnt out?

He mentioned on numerous occasions that he couldn't wait until the Tour finished.. it has been the hardest tour he has ever done.. he was very tired.. also he looked like he was a bit sick too..

He said that he 'might' see us at the tour next year...

Added to this he has had a verrry long seasons, beginning months ago at the Spring Classics.. he has won nearly everything!

So do you think he could be tired/burnt out mentally and or physically?

Do you think he will take the rest of the season off?

Or do you think he just needs to rest and regroup?

If he wins the tour next year, he will join the x5 club!

Thank you,

A

Mefistofelino · 28-07-2025 05:04PM

Think he's just fed up. He's been on the boil since early this year and unlike riders that have more race days, Pog is expected to perform on every one of them. His 2025 alone would be the envy of most great riders entire careers - a GT, two one week tours, two monuments, two classics and podiums in two more monuments. Probably just needs some down time

dahat · 28-07-2025 05:21PM

Paris Roubaix

ITT at worlds

Worlds

LA Olympics

These are his remaining goals left and had mentioned retirement post LA or at least starting to move towards that phase of his career. One thing I’m fairly sure of is we won’t see him riding until he is near 40.

Don Juan II · 28-07-2025 05:37PM

His 2025 alone would be the envy of most great riders entire careers - a GT, two one week tours, two monuments, two classics and podiums in two more monuments.

As well as the above, in 2025 Pog has:

4 stage wins in the Tour de France, 5 podiums in the tour.

Mountains Classification jersey at the Tour de France.

2nd in the green jersey at the tour.

3 stage wins and points classification at the Critérium du Dauphiné

2 stage wins at the UAE tour

You're absolutely right @Mefistofelino, what Pog has achieved so far in 2025 would be an incredibe career for any other rider. And we know there is more to come in 2025 for Pog whether he does the Vuelta or the Worlds.

Arequipa · 28-07-2025 07:54PM

I think, Jumbo Visma were 'at' him the whole tour, without being very successful... it was still probably tiring.. and then as yellow jersey winner, he has the additional interviews and media responsibilities, lines of people outside his hotel and bus every day.. recognised everywhere.. it is a crazy intense 3 weeks.... maybe the fame, responsibilities and demands are now outweighing the fun and spontaneousness of his earlier career...

like some of you said.. i cant see him riding as long as Geraint Thomas!

monseiur · 28-07-2025 08:19PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123678096#Comment_123678096

Obviously it's not all about the money but……With his average annual earnings being well over 8 million euros there will zero incentive for him to keep riding professionally until he's 40

Morris Garren · 28-07-2025 08:41PM

No

Next question- will anybody beat him in Rwanda?

Arequipa · 28-07-2025 08:53PM

Looks like over 5k metres of climbing.. so on his current form...nobody can beat him.. only on flatter terrain, maybe Van der Poel...

I dont think he will ride the Vuelta this year.. he'll probably need a good block away from racing

Large bottle small glass · 29-07-2025 08:25AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123678648#Comment_123678648

Nothing whatsoever to do with Pogacar or cycling but mention of Rwanda reminded me of podcast below.

Someone recommended the host so I listened to one podcast as a test and it happened to be about slave scam factories in Cambodia and part 2 the current situation in Rwanda/Congo regarding cobalt/gold the M23 miltia and where the UK government's 250 million or so likely ended up.

No idea of the veracity but if true it's mental.

Musk, Eric Prince, Bezos, Gates are all in there but it's the UK money is the really interesting but. Rwanda bit starts around 34 mins.

The first bit will leave you someone sympathetic to the next scammer on the other end of your phone.

Back to pog, of course he's wrecked. There's a reason no one else in a couple of generations have ridden a very successful full spring and successful GC at the Tour.

A 3 week tour is an absolute assault on the body. I'd love to see his blood work and markers for healthy immune function and the like. He's training and pre can't be as good as competition, no matter his talent fatigue will eventually find you.

EDIT: I forgot to add the podcast link

https://www.jordanharbinger.com/rwanda-2025-out-of-the-loop/

CramCycle · 29-07-2025 01:00PM

What would his recovery be like if he literally done nothing but eat well and rest, maybe a few zone 2 spins. I haven't looked at the Veulta route but is it realistic to do that and the worlds as good as he is?

Arequipa · 29-07-2025 06:47PM

It was kind of nice to hear him sound so exhausted & even demotivated... showed a human side to him...

Remco's statement he released on social media is positive too I think: these guys are incredible athletes, but we do forget sometimes that they are human...

I would bet Pog wont ride the Vuelta this year.. another x3 week tour and the media, attention etc sounds too much.. i know the Vuelta is a step down from the intensity of the tour..

Whereas the World Champs will probably be a few days away from home... he sounds like he needs time at home with his girlfriend and maybe family and stepping out of the spotlight for while!

Is Pog burnt out?

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