If you were ever caught up in a cycling world, you must have seen this weird word —  Pogi. But what is that? Well, Pogi is a nickname fanbase gave to one of the best cyclists in the history of this sport — Tadej Pogačar. A true versatility shaped in the form of a Slovenian man, Pogi has been a star since he came onto the scene, first rocking the world with his wins at a young age and then remaining the champion ever since.

Let’s explore the story behind the recent Le Tour’s winner. 

If you don’t know what Le tour is — skim through this. This vocabulary will also help. 

Tadej Pogačar was born on September 21, 1998, in Komenda, Slovenia, a small town that would soon be known worldwide. And yes, he is only 25 at the moment, and he already is the world-known champion. Please have some tea or comfort food and be cautious of existential crises. 

But back to the hero. Pogačar's passion for sports emerged early, initially training in football at NK Komenda. However, when his brother Tilen joined the Rog Ljubljana cycling club under the guidance of Miha Koncilja, Tadej decided to give cycling a try. In 2007, he became a member of Rog Ljubljana cycling club, quickly integrating with the team and proving his talent on the slopes. At the age of ten in 2008, he participated in his first race at Trstenik near Kranj, and in 2009, he secured his first victory in the ascent to Krvavec.

In the following years, Pogačar was coached by various trainers who helped him hone his skills and knowledge. His performance improved steadily, catching the attention of the professional team UAE Team Emirates. He signed a contract with them in 2018 and joined the team in 2019. 

Pogačar's professional career took off when he signed with UAE Team Emirates. 

His entry into the team marked the beginning of a new era for both Pogačar and the team. 

In his first major race, the 2019 Vuelta a España, he finished third overall and was named the best young cyclist of the season. 

By the end of his debut season, Pogačar had established himself as a rising star and a future leader for UAE Team Emirates.

Pogačar gained international fame in 2020 when he became the first Slovenian to win the Tour de France. He repeated this success in 2021 and 2024, becoming the youngest three-time winner of the Tour de France, and also earned a bronze medal for Slovenia in the road race at the Tokyo Olympic Games. Must mention the recent success — Tadej Pogačar became the first person in the history of Tour de France, who won six stages in one tour.  

Pogačar's role within UAE Team Emirates evolved rapidly. By 2020, he had become the team's de facto leader, especially in Grand Tours, being casted for General Classification, which is the highest honour one can get. 

His leadership was marked by his double – win in the Tour de France, where he not only secured the yellow jersey but also demonstrated extraordinary resilience and strategic acumen. His ability to handle pressure and deliver consistent results has made him an invaluable asset to the team.

As mentioned to ITV and Eurosport at the finish of Stage 13, of 2024 Tour de France, by his domestique and another star-cyclist Adam Yates: “It was a little bit of improvisation. I was ready to pace like normal but he told me to attack and I was like ‘What?!’ With Tadej I’ve got no idea of the plan.” 

Continuing, “It’s always good to have your teammate up front. Why not test the legs of the others like this? If Adam is flying, then he takes the stage win. If others are cooked, then I can try,” Pogačar explained after the stage. “Maybe it was just improvisation, but in the end, it worked because it was less expected. It was just the thing I had in my mind. It’s hard to explain how you come to these decisions when it’s so hard.”

So, apparently, riding together with Pogi is always a surprise, but usually a nice one.

From the fan’s point of view, what people always highlight is that Tadej is always smiling and greeting each and everyone in the race — no matter their leaderboard position. Pogačar definitely has a reputation of a very sweet and smart guy,

Well, Tadej composed the list himself, and as they say — the picture is worth a thousand words, right? And this huge list is just the main wins.. 

Pogi doesn’t have the most incredible overall power, as his max power on race is 1253 watts in peak power (OI Tokyo, 2021). But he is known for doing incredible results within the longest period of time, as he has a very trained heart. 

Recently, Tadej Pogačar achieved a phenomenal climbing performance with an ID of 6.98 eW/Kg for 39:50 minutes, which is considered the greatest ever, factoring in the conditions and stage difficulty.  Pogačar’s Stage 14 effort on Pla d’Adet at Tour de France 2024 ranks as one of the best performances in history, smashing the previous Marco Pantani's 1997 record, with 43:26 minutes with such force.  

Tadej Pogačar's journey from a young cyclist in Slovenia to the leader of UAE Team Emirates and a three-time Tour de France champion is a testament to his exceptional talent and dedication. His rapid rise in professional cycling, combined with his versatility and sportsmanship, makes him one of the most exciting and respected figures in the sport today. As he continues to compete at the highest levels, his legacy in professional cycling is set to grow, inspiring future generations of cyclists worldwide. 

And if you are hooked after reading —  here is the piece about the most iconic team in the history of the Tour de France.