‘Never seen anything like this’

ByEurosport

Updated 25/03/2024 at 14:53 GMT

The Volta a Catalunya was dominated by Tadej Pogacar, who won four of the seven stages to finish three minutes and 41 seconds ahead of second-placed Mikel Landa. “I have never seen anything like this in my career,” declared Guillaume Martin (Cofidis), while George Bennett (Israel-Premier Tech) believes Pogacar’s success is partly down to “ultimate genetics”.

Watch ‘absolutely magnificent’ Pogacar’s four stage wins at Volta a Catalunya

Tadej Pogacar left a trail of awe and amazement with his dominant showing at the Volta a Catalunya, with rivals declaring him “untouchable” and “way more talented than the rest of us”.

He finished three minutes and 41 seconds ahead of second-placed Mikel Landa (Soudal Quick-Step) after a masterful performance across the week.

Guillaume Martin (Cofidis) was among those who were left wowed by Pogacar’s brilliance.

“For sure I cannot compete and I don’t think any rider here can compete with him. Something happened in the last two years and the gap has increased further.

“I remember 2020, just after Covid, and I could still compete with these guys but they have grown up and I have stayed at my level. I have never seen anything like this in my career.

“Before I always used to ride races to win, but now to be perfectly honest I don’t see how it could be possible when you are racing against a rider like that.”

Pogacar has established himself as one of the leading stars in cycling over the last five years.

He won the Tour de France in 2020 and 2021, and will be looking for a third victory when he tussles with Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) this summer.

George Bennett (Israel-Premier Tech) believes Pogacar’s success is partly down to “ultimate genetics”.

“Everyone is doing everything they can: we’re all going to altitude, all riding fast bikes, all getting aero testing, all fuelling well, so it’s not that he works harder than us – there is no way – but he’s got better genes. It’s as simple as that,” said Bennett.

“At some point someone gets ultimate genetics. It’s a lottery of evolution. I know some guys who have worked harder than me but they don’t have the genes to reach this level.

“Right now it’s the best I’ve ever seen him. For sure. Definitely. He’s definitely better than last year already. I know he’s made some changes in the off season and he’s on a different level. He was already pretty good but now he’s very good.”

Pogacar said at the Volta a Catalunya that he is striving to be “the best ever” and feels in the “the best shape” of his career.

‘The peloton didn’t know where we were!’ – Pogacar on Volta stage 2 surprise

That should be an ominous warning for his rivals at the Giro d’Italia in May and the Tour de France in the summer.

Attila Valter (Visma-Lease A Bike) thinks Pogacar “looks untouchable”.

“He is playing with us and the bunch,” he added.

“It’s true what Landa said: it’s not that he’s training more or doing anything better, but everyone lives from their own talent and he’s just way more talented than the rest of us.”

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