Tadej Pogačar, the cycling phenomenon, has left an indelible mark on the sport, but his story is far from over. In a world where dominance often breeds boredom, Pogačar's journey is a refreshing tale of resilience and excellence.
The four-time Tour de France champion, a back-to-back world champion, and a ten-time Monument victor, Pogačar's achievements speak for themselves. With 108 wins, 45 of them in the last two seasons, he is a force to be reckoned with. Yet, despite his success, there was a void - no full-length biography in English, until now.
Enter Andy McGrath's Tadej Pogačar: Unstoppable, a biography that delves into the life and career of this cycling superstar. McGrath, a journalist and writer, faced a unique challenge - writing about a subject who was still very much active and making history.
"It was like chasing a moving target," McGrath says. "I had to capture the essence of Pogačar's greatness while it was still unfolding."
And capture it he did. The book takes readers on a journey, from Pogačar's humble beginnings as a unicyclist in Slovenia to his rise as the complete cyclist and modern-day superstar.
But here's where it gets controversial...
Pogačar's dominance has led some to question whether his success is becoming mundane. McGrath, however, strongly disagrees. "Excellence should never be boring. When Pogačar retires, we might not see his like for decades."
The book also explores the adversity Pogačar has faced, particularly his defeats to Jonas Vingegaard in 2022 and 2023. These losses, according to McGrath, add a layer of complexity to Pogačar's story, showing that even the great ones have their challenges.
And this is the part most people miss...
Pogačar's success hasn't come without risk. He pushes the limits, and that's part of his allure. McGrath believes Pogačar's biggest challenge in the next two years will be avoiding serious crashes, given his aggressive riding style.
So, who might be Pogačar's biggest threat in the future? McGrath points to Remco Evenepoel, not Vingegaard. "Red Bull's presence in cycling suggests they won't be satisfied with third place in the Tour."
Tadej Pogačar: Unstoppable is a must-read for cycling enthusiasts and anyone intrigued by the pursuit of excellence. It's a portrait of an athlete whose story continues to evolve, leaving us all wondering, what's next for Pogačar?
