“I Sent Him: ‘I Want to Know What You Really Pedalled'” – Remco Evenepoel Questions Tadej Pogacar’s Reported Wattages at Il Lombardia
Belgian cycling sensation Remco Evenepoel recently made headlines for his skepticism over Tadej Pogacar’s reported wattages during the Italian monument, Il Lombardia. Known for his fierce competitiveness and analytical approach, Evenepoel has often examined the details of his rivals’ performances. This time, he took it a step further, reaching out to Pogacar personally to inquire about the numbers behind his staggering performance.
At Il Lombardia, Pogacar dominated in the mountains, displaying impressive endurance and power. He managed to drop many competitors on the climbs, making Evenepoel, among others, question the legitimacy of his power output. In a candid post-race interview, Evenepoel shared, “I sent him [Pogacar] a message saying, ‘I want to know what you really pedalled.’”
This unusual request underscores Evenepoel’s deep interest in data-driven insights, something he’s been known for throughout his career. He hinted at the possibility that Pogacar’s reported wattages may have been inflated, intentionally or otherwise, during the race broadcast. According to Evenepoel, the numbers presented seemed almost unreal for such steep ascents and the sustained pace, suggesting they went beyond the realm of what’s humanly possible for a race as intense as Il Lombardia.
It’s not uncommon for top cyclists to scrutinize each other’s performance metrics, especially in an era where technology has made data more transparent yet sometimes harder to trust. Wattage, a measurement of power output, is one of the most closely monitored metrics in modern cycling, allowing riders to gauge effort, endurance, and potential strategies against rivals. For a rider of Pogacar’s caliber, high wattages are expected. However, Evenepoel’s comments indicate that he felt Pogacar’s numbers were on another level, pushing the boundaries of credibility.
Responding to Evenepoel’s query, Pogacar reportedly shared a friendly reply but was somewhat cryptic about the exact numbers, adding to the intrigue. Pogacar is known for his laid-back attitude but also his strategic mindset; thus, leaving the details ambiguous might have been a playful nod to their growing rivalry.
This exchange has further highlighted the competition between Pogacar, the two-time Tour de France winner, and Evenepoel, the reigning world champion and a rising star known for his aggressive racing style and ambition. Fans are now speculating whether this rivalry could spark a new trend of data transparency in cycling or lead to more guarded metrics as riders seek any edge in the battle for supremacy.
While Evenepoel’s message to Pogacar might have seemed unconventional, it reflects the new wave of analytics-driven competition in professional cycling. As wattage metrics continue to capture the interest of fans and riders alike, the industry faces the challenge of balancing transparency with the mystery that keeps the sport captivating.
