Tadej Pogacar’s dominance on the bike is so extraordinary, it’s leaving scientists scratching their heads. Dr. Tim Podlogar, a leading sports physiology expert and Tudor nutrition consultant, recently expressed his awe to Slovenian outlet Siol, stating, “His physiology seems completely unimaginable to me.” But what makes Pogacar’s performance so mind-boggling? And here’s where it gets controversial—could his success be replicated, or is he simply a once-in-a-generation anomaly?
Pogacar’s 2025 season wasn’t just impressive; it was dominating. From grueling stage races to punishing one-day Classics, he showcased an unparalleled ability to sustain peak performance. Podlogar, who heads the Centre for Sports Physiology and Exercise Testing at the University of Exeter, is particularly fascinated by Pogacar’s endurance. “It’s incredible how he maintains such high numbers and a strong rhythm for so long without collapsing at the finish line,” he notes. But this is the part most people miss—Podlogar believes studying Pogacar’s physiology in a lab, perhaps through muscle biopsies, could unlock secrets of his superhuman performance. Yet, with Pogacar still breaking records, such research remains a distant dream.
Podlogar isn’t just an academic; he’s a seasoned practitioner. Having crafted fueling strategies for teams like Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe (including Jai Hindley’s Giro-winning plan), he now advises the Tudor Pro Cycling Team. His goal? Not just winning the Tour de France, but helping the team grow, learn, and potentially secure a WorldTour license in the next three years.
But here’s where it gets controversial—while Pogacar’s physiology fascinates Podlogar, the sport’s latest fueling trends alarm him. The shift from 80–100 grams of carbs per hour a decade ago to a staggering 150–200 grams today has him worried. “On paper, more carbs equal more power,” he explains. “But in reality, teams are straying from the basics and risking imbalance.” For instance, sprinters consuming 120 grams per hour on an easy day might end up overeating, leaving them depleted for the next day’s mountain stage—a costly mistake.
Podlogar argues that for climbers like Pogacar and Primoz Roglic, 100–130 grams per hour is the sweet spot, not the extreme 200 grams some riders are experimenting with. And this is the part most people miss—individualization is key. Riders like Jonas Vingegaard and Wout van Aert, despite racing together, have vastly different nutritional needs based on body mass, race role, and gut tolerance. Blindly following trends like “200 grams per hour” could be counterproductive.
Heat adaptation is another overlooked factor. Podlogar believes Pogacar’s systematic focus on heat acclimation has been quietly decisive in his dominance, mitigating the negative effects of racing in high temperatures.
Now, here’s where it gets controversial—Podlogar questions the UCI’s stance on ketones. While he acknowledges their unproven benefits, he finds it strange to discourage them when they’re not doping. Instead, he argues, the UCI should focus on more pressing issues, like overtraining and Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (REDs), which pose long-term health and performance risks.
Podlogar’s message is clear: respect the basics, individualize the details, and don’t mistake fads for performance drivers. But here’s the thought-provoking question—in a sport obsessed with innovation, are we losing sight of what truly matters? Share your thoughts in the comments—do you think Pogacar’s success is replicable, or is he simply in a league of his own?
