Pozzato Praises Van der Poel in 2024 Despite Pogacar’s Dominance: “He Really Had Some Bad Luck This Year
In a year dominated by Tadej Pogacar’s extraordinary performances, Filippo Pozzato stirred the cycling world with his recent praise for Mathieu van der Poel. The Italian former professional rider highlighted Van der Poel’s efforts in 2024, emphasizing the Dutchman’s potential, despite a string of bad luck that hampered his season. This statement from Pozzato has sparked debate among cycling enthusiasts who have witnessed Pogacar’s unrelenting dominance in the past months.
Pogacar: The Unstoppable Force of 2024
Tadej Pogacar has continued to reign supreme in 2024, leaving little room for doubt about his abilities as the best cyclist in the world right now. His victories have been overwhelming, and his consistency unshakable, marking him as the benchmark for every other rider. With stunning wins in prestigious races like the Tour de France and several Classics, Pogacar’s dominance in 2024 has been nothing short of a spectacle. Fans and critics alike have lauded him as the rider of this generation, with his ability to take on all terrain and triumph at will.
Van der Poel: Talent Overshadowed by Misfortune?
But in the shadow of Pogacar’s brilliance, Pozzato believes that Van der Poel’s talent still shines brightly, albeit under challenging circumstances. “He really had some bad luck this year,” Pozzato commented, referencing several unfortunate incidents and crashes that derailed Van der Poel’s campaign in key races. While the Dutch superstar was expected to challenge Pogacar more aggressively, mechanical failures, untimely injuries, and crashes have left him chasing rather than leading in 2024.
Despite these setbacks, Van der Poel has managed to show glimpses of the explosive talent that makes him one of the most exciting riders on the circuit. Pozzato’s praise stems from a deep understanding of the sport’s unpredictability, acknowledging that Van der Poel’s bad luck has hindered what could have been a much closer battle for cycling supremacy.
Is Luck the Defining Factor?
The cycling community has been divided over Pozzato’s remarks. Many argue that luck plays a significant role in any rider’s success, and Van der Poel has been on the wrong side of it in 2024. Crashes in pivotal moments, especially during Classics like Paris-Roubaix, coupled with a surprising injury at the Giro d’Italia, have prevented Van der Poel from competing at his full potential.
Others, however, point out that Pogacar’s dominance is a result of relentless preparation, superior tactics, and unparalleled athleticism. To them, Pozzato’s comments seem to downplay Pogacar’s achievements by suggesting that Van der Poel would have been more competitive had his luck been different.
What About Wout van Aert?
The debate doesn’t stop with Van der Poel and Pogacar. Another name often thrown into the mix is Wout van Aert, who, like Van der Poel, has faced his fair share of ups and downs this year. Fans of Van Aert argue that he too could have been more of a threat to Pogacar’s dominance if not for strategic errors and health issues.
Pozzato, however, focused more on Van der Poel, noting his consistency in pushing through adversity. “He’s always in the race, even when things go wrong,” Pozzato remarked, admiring the Dutchman’s resilience and perseverance.
What Lies Ahead?
With the 2024 season nearing its final stretch, the question remains whether Van der Poel can still reclaim some glory. Pozzato remains optimistic, saying that “Mathieu has the fire and the ability to come back stronger. It’s not over yet.”
For now, the cycling world continues to debate the potential of Van der Poel versus the sheer dominance of Pogacar. But one thing is certain—whether it’s luck or skill, 2024 will be remembered as the year when one rider proved his dominance, and another showed just how cruel the sport can be when misfortune strikes.