Ever wondered what it would feel like to go head-to-head with one of the greatest cyclists of all time? Imagine pedaling alongside a four-time Tour de France champion, knowing full well you’re about to be left in the dust. That’s exactly what happened when I, along with hundreds of other amateurs, got the chance to race against Tadej Pogacar, the world’s top cyclist, on one of Slovenia’s most brutal mountain climbs. But here’s where it gets controversial: while some saw it as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, others questioned whether it was fair—or even safe—to pit everyday riders against a professional powerhouse. And this is the part most people miss: it’s not just about the race; it’s about the sheer audacity of the challenge.
The invitation arrived just three days before Pogacar defended his title in the men’s World Championship road race. It promised an unforgettable experience: cycling alongside the champion himself. The catch? We’d have to conquer the 15km ascent to Krvavec, a climb notorious for its punishing gradients—averaging 7.6%, with sections soaring past 20%. For Pogacar, this is a Tuesday morning. For the rest of us? A near-impossible feat. Yet, the allure of testing ourselves against the best was irresistible.
On a crisp Sunday morning in Komenda, we gathered at the starting line, Pogacar standing among us in his iconic rainbow jersey. The atmosphere was electric, but nerves were palpable. Dave Goddard, a fellow Brit living in Slovenia, summed it up: “My goal is to avoid humiliation.” Anja Licen, a local rider who won her spot in a radio contest, echoed the sentiment: “I just hope I’m not the last one up.” Meanwhile, Austrian duo Sandra Burtscher and Michael Mangeng, decked out in matching Pogacar-endorsed bikes, admitted their mix of excitement and dread. Sandra confessed she was “nervous about racing with so many people,” while Michael joked he’d only see Pogacar “for a few seconds.”
Spoiler alert: he wasn’t wrong.
After a generous head start, Pogacar unleashed his trademark efficiency, effortlessly overtaking us one by one. In my case, he breezed past within the first 2km. To put this in perspective, I’m no stranger to cycling—I’ve tackled adventures before—but my recent rides involve a vintage Japanese shopping bike or casual Strava segments on the way back from school runs. Road biking? It had been decades, and I’d had just two weeks to prepare. My friend Mark Koghee, a former pro team director, called my endeavor “quite stupid,” though he did offer advice: “You can’t improve your fitness in two weeks. Just prepare your body for the shock. Climb as much as you can, so the pain isn’t as brutal.”
Another friend, Marin Medak, lent me his drop-bar bike for practice. When I asked if I could make it up Krvavec on it, he deadpanned, “Only if you install an electric engine.” Spoiler: I didn’t. I crossed the summit 53 minutes after Pogacar—a small victory in itself.
Surprisingly, Pogacar wasn’t the first to finish. That honor went to Andrew Feather, a 40-year-old British lawyer and four-time Hill Climbing Champion. “I set a high tempo early on and managed to solo to the top,” he told the BBC. Simple, right? Except Feather is one of the few riders to beat Pogacar this year—a feat he called “a once-in-a-lifetime experience.” As he put it, “Pogi is the best ever. Shaking his hand and getting the trophy from him? That’s why I did it.”
At the finish line, Pogacar was all smiles, joking, “You can’t win them all.” Yet, even after a season of unprecedented dominance—four Tour de France wins, world and European titles, and three ‘monument’ victories—his hunger was undeniable. “If you love what you do, motivation isn’t hard,” he said. “I’m open to everything.”
But here’s the real question: Is it fair to pit amateurs against a legend like Pogacar? Some argue it’s inspiring; others say it’s setting us up for failure. What do you think? Would you take on this challenge, or is it a recipe for humiliation? Let’s debate in the comments—I’m curious to hear your take!
