In the world of professional cycling, there’s one name that’s become synonymous with untouchable dominance: Tadej Pogacar. But here’s where it gets controversial—while most riders in the peloton consider the idea of ‘dropping’ Pogacar as pure fantasy, Geraint Thomas cheekily reminds us that he’s done it. Yes, you read that right. During the 2022 Col du Granon stage, where Jonas Vingegaard claimed victory, Thomas managed to leave Pogacar behind—a rare feat that’s now become a badge of honor in his cycling legacy.
Pogacar’s 2025 season has been nothing short of extraordinary, with the Slovenian superstar dismantling fields across Monuments and Grand Tours alike. His near-total control has blurred the lines between dominance and inevitability, leaving fans and competitors alike in awe. And this is the part most people miss—while his reign might seem predictable, it’s also redefining what’s possible in the sport. As Luke Rowe aptly put it on their podcast Watts Occurring, ‘We’re witnessing greatness.’
Thomas, known for his self-deprecating humor, couldn’t resist poking fun at Pogacar’s ‘undroppable’ reputation. ‘I dropped him once,’ he quipped, drawing laughter from Rowe, who suggested updating Thomas’s Instagram bio to include the achievement. Behind the jokes, however, lies a profound respect for Pogacar’s unparalleled skill. ‘What he’s doing is absolutely insane,’ Thomas admitted. ‘We’re potentially watching the greatest ever.’
Here’s where opinions start to diverge—while some argue that Pogacar’s dominance risks making the sport less exciting, others, like a listener Rowe cited, tune in precisely to witness greatness. The numbers speak for themselves: Pogacar and Mathieu van der Poel have won sixteen of the last eighteen Monuments, and Pogacar’s UAE Team Emirates has dominated Italian one-day races this autumn. ‘Fair play,’ Thomas conceded. ‘He’s close to twenty wins this year, and these aren’t small races—they’re Tours, Tour stages, Monuments.’
Even Pogacar’s rare moments of vulnerability are legendary. As Rowe pointed out, he’s only been dropped once this year—on Stage 21 of the Tour by Wout van Aert. It’s a statistic that’s already become folklore, a testament to his near-invincibility. Thomas may joke about ‘dropping Pogi,’ but he’s quick to add, ‘You’ve got to respect it—what he’s doing is absolutely insane.’
Shifting gears, the conversation turned to Paris–Tours, a race where Rowe’s Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale Team showcased grit and strategy. Paul Lapeira’s bold decision to stop riding with 1.3 kilometers to go, opting to risk everything for the win, split opinions. While the gamble didn’t pay off, Rowe admired the intent. ‘If you think you’re going to lose the sprint anyway, gamble,’ he said. Thomas agreed, ‘Better to go all-in than settle.’
But here’s a question to ponder—is there a point where aggression becomes recklessness? Thomas contrasted this mindset with his own team’s struggles at the INEOS Grenadiers, where a series of mishaps left them playing catch-up from the start. ‘When you’re on the back foot, bad things happen,’ he reflected bluntly.
British cycling, however, continues to shine. Tom Pidcock’s back-to-back sixth-place finishes at Lombardia and Gravel Worlds earned praise, as did Paul Magnier’s three consecutive stage wins at the Tour of Guangxi. ‘These young guys are flying,’ Rowe noted.
As the conversation wrapped up, one sentiment stood out: cycling fans shouldn’t resist Pogacar’s era but embrace it. ‘This is our Messi, Tiger, Jordan moment,’ Rowe declared. And when a Tour winner and Olympic champion like Thomas jokes that his proudest claim to fame is ‘once dropping Pogi,’ it underscores just how extraordinary Pogacar’s reign has become.
So, what do you think? Is Pogacar’s dominance making cycling less exciting, or are we witnessing a once-in-a-lifetime talent? Let us know in the comments—we’d love to hear your take!
