Tadej Pogačar, the Slovenian cycling sensation, has faced renewed doping allegations following his dominating performance in the 2024 Tour de France, where he won his third yellow jersey. Despite never failing an anti-doping test and being rigorously tested throughout his career, questions continue to arise, largely due to the shadow cast by cycling’s tainted history.
Pogačar addressed the skepticism directly after his victory, acknowledging that there will “always be doubts” in cycling, especially given past scandals. He dismissed the accusations, emphasizing that jealousy often fuels such suspicions. “People hate what they cannot be,” he noted, suggesting that the remarkable achievements of successful athletes frequently provoke unfounded allegations. He strongly reiterated that risking one’s health for victory is “stupid” and not worth it.
The recent scrutiny intensified after reports about the use of carbon monoxide rebreathing equipment by several elite teams, including Pogačar’s UAE Team Emirates. While this equipment is legal and used for diagnostic purposes in altitude training, some have raised concerns about its potential for misuse in performance enhancement. Both Pogačar and his rival Jonas Vingegaard downplayed the controversy, explaining that the equipment is only used to measure haemoglobin levels in response to altitude, and that it is entirely within legal boundaries.
Cycling legend Bernard Hinault also came to Pogačar’s defense, calling the allegations “ridiculous” and pointing out that such doubts often target foreign riders, adding a layer of nationalism to the suspicion.
Ultimately, Pogačar’s message remains clear: his achievements are the result of hard work and dedication, and he refuses to be weighed down by accusations that have no basis in evidence.