While most commentators attempt to explain the Pogačar phenomena with pseudoscience and clichés we think photography might just be able to provide a more straightforward answer

It’s fair to say that we photographers have a unique perspective of the various sports we cover. From the proximity to our subjects to the frozen moments we pore over afterwards. As we frequently tell people, we have the best seat in the house.

That’s not to say there are no downsides. The majority of journalists tend to see the races unfold via the TV coverage and there’s no doubt that’s the best way of being with the race at the decisive moment.

While those out on the route always try our best to predict the exact spot where an attack will be delivered it’s increasingly difficult to be in the right place at the right time. Yes, the few of us that are on the back of motos have an advantage but it’s still not an exact science. One moment’s indecision or a planned stop to capture the race as it moves through the local scenery and it’s gone.

But our world is about split seconds. ‘Blink and you’ll miss it’ revelations.

It’s with this in mind that we can look at what we believe is the real, main advantage that World Champion Tadej Pogačar has over his competitors. He is simply prepared to suffer more than they are. What, I hear you say??!! The Pog doesn’t suffer! He makes the other riders suffer!! Now, on the face of it that’s true but the way he does that is completely clear to those of us behind a 400mm lens.

Psychology vs Physiology

Take Giro dell’Emilia 2024 or La Flèche Wallonne 2025 as prime examples. On the TV all that seemed to happen was a superior rider suddenly - and quite predictably - unleashed his extra power which left his rivals in the dust. That is, however, only part of the story.

Closer examination shows a rider on the edge. Eyes swollen, a thousand yard stare. Determination to see through the plan while his rivals look like they’re clinging on, desperate for the line to come. To him, in those moments, pain seems to be an inconvenience. An irrelevance, even. This is not the image we see on our screens at home or in the Media Centre. This is raw cycling, red in tooth and claw.

Another thing to remember about both of the races in question is that neither are Monuments. Indeed, the Giro dell’Emilia is a relatively lowly ProSeries race in the UCI rankings. That may say as much about the way races are ranked vs their historical importance in the sport but it also says a lot about Tadej Pogačar. While some of his closest competitors, such as Remco Evenepoel, retired early in the race to save themselves for the bigger prize of Il Lombardia a week later, Pogačar fought on.

For his rivals Pogačar’s single minded assault on the sport is to be applauded and feared in equal measure. A marauder taking what he pleases on his way into history. Will he win those few remaining baubles in these fleeting years before time takes it toll? It’s impossible to say, but it’s going to be a wild ride finding out!