ANALYSIS: Is Tadej Pogacar About to Complete Cycling’s Greatest Ever Season?
In Quebec on Friday, the cycling world witnessed a rare sight: Tadej Pogacar denied victory. Yet, as Sunday rolled around and the GP de Montréal unfolded, the Slovenian cycling star once again showcased why he is widely considered the number one rider of his generation. Heading into the 2024 World Championships in Zurich with the Montreal win under his belt, Pogacar is in formidable form, ready to conquer once again.
What made Hinault’s season truly remarkable was his ability to dominate across the entirety of the season, not just in Grand Tours. In addition to his victories at the Giro and Tour, Hinault added wins in prestigious races and was narrowly denied victory in Paris-Roubaix. While he didn’t win the World Championship that year, Hinault’s 1982 season was one of complete mastery and strength, reminiscent of Pogacar’s all-around brilliance.
At the Tour de France, Coppi’s performance was no less impressive. He rode away from his competitors in the mountains and finished nearly 11 minutes ahead of his nearest rival. Not content with simply dominating the Grand Tours, Coppi also took home the victory at the Giro di Lombardia, one of cycling’s Monuments, solidifying his place as the preeminent rider of his time.
Roche’s victories were not without drama. In the Giro, he won by just 3 seconds, one of the narrowest margins in the race’s history. At the Tour de France, he cemented his place in cycling history with a stunning performance on La Plagne, a high-altitude finish where he dramatically clawed back time on the leaders. To top it all off, Roche claimed the World Championship title in Austria, making him only the second rider ever (after Merckx) to win the Giro, Tour, and World Championships in the same season.
While Pantani’s career was marred by controversy, his 1998 season remains one of the most remarkable displays of climbing prowess the sport has ever seen. Pantani, like Pogacar, achieved the Giro-Tour double, winning both races in a season that saw him devastate his rivals on the steepest of climbs.
Pantani’s ability to dominate in the mountains and to deliver knockout punches during the most challenging stages of both the Giro and the Tour captured the imagination of cycling fans. His aggressive racing style, attacking on every opportunity, made him a fan favourite and added to the legend of his 1998 campaign. Like Pogacar, Pantani’s season was defined by his willingness to attack and take risks, often leading from the front and pushing the pace at eve
ry opportunity.
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