The refrain comes back tirelessly. This year, Tadej Pogacar had one of the greatest seasons in the history of cycling. The Slovenian won almost everything, leaving only crumbs to the competition. Author of the Giro-Tour de France double, winner of the World Championships or Liège-Bastogne-Liège, the UAE Team Emirates rider was untouchable. So obviously, skeptics questioned these performances and the shadow of doping was raised. Questioned on this subject, Bernard Hinault defended himself in the columns of The Team and attacks Marc Madiot: “Most often, these are only interpretations, always negative, or views which come mainly from France, and even from certain managers of French teams like Marc Madiot (Groupama-FDJ) for example. Sometimes I don't understand him at all. But why are we not as interested in the French champions of other sports, those who win everything in their path, in exactly the same way as Pogacar in cycling? In other countries, there are no doubts about him. In his place, I would publish all my physiological data, that would calm everyone down”
Hinault amazed by Pogacar
While Tadej Pogacar displays impressive ease and understanding of the race, “The Badger” would have liked to measure up to him. He nevertheless recognizes that the Slovenian is rarely wrong: “Honestly, I’m not sure. He doesn't make many mistakes. From memory, I only see one, in the rise of Granon on the Tour (in 2022), when he let (Primoz) Roglic and (Wout) Van Aert lead the race for (Jonas) Vingegaard while he should have attacked instead of suffering. But he has since learned his lesson. »
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To summarize
Bernard Hinault was asked about the doubts surrounding the performances of Tadej Pogacar, breathtaking this season. The last French winner of the Tour de France defended the Slovenian.
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