"You may not fully appreciate the spectacle before you" – Michael Matthews sheds light on Tadej Pogacar's remarkable climbing prowess during training.
Michael Matthews, a fellow cyclist who often trains alongside Tadej Pogacar in Monaco, is among those who possess intimate knowledge of the World Champion’s capabilities on the bike. He recently recounted an impressive training session where Pogacar set a new personal best on a mountain notorious for being a proving ground for cycling legends like Lance Armstrong and Chris Froome.
This significant ascent took place at the Col de la Madone, a climb located just outside the picturesque areas of Monaco and Nice. Spanning approximately 14.5 kilometers with an average gradient of 7%, this route has long been favored by elite cyclists for testing and serious training, attracting some of the world’s top talent. During one particular training day, Matthews and Pogacar pushed their limits, with Pogacar delivering an exceptional performance on the climb.
“I believe we were out there for about an hour, mostly operating in high zone two and low zone three training zones, really pushing ourselves to the max. And then, he smashed his fastest time ever on Madone,” Matthews shared on the Roadman podcast.
“And he practically broke Strava! I mean, how is that even possible? Typically, when riders aim for a good Strava time, they take it easy beforehand, maybe do some warm-up efforts, and then go for it. But he just decided, 'I’m going to see if I can break this record,'” Matthews chuckled. Despite being primarily known as a sprinter, Matthews is a strong climber in his own right and remains competitive at the highest level.
However, nothing could prepare him for the sight of the UAE Team Emirates rider effortlessly ascending past him. "I started my climb before he did, so I was already exerting myself. He said, 'Oh, just take a video if you can; I’ll be coming by you.' So, I recorded it, and in that video, I was pushing close to 400 watts, and he breezed past me as if he were on a leisurely ride.
Astounding Climbing Velocity
Those familiar with the professional peloton understand that Tadej Pogacar’s dominance in the sport is no accident. He has claimed victories in the Tour de France, the World Championships, numerous monumental races, and nearly everything else he has entered in recent years.
Yet, even for those who share the road with him, witnessing his prowess can be truly astonishing. "If you saw the video on social media, you might not fully register what you’re seeing. When I glanced down at my power meter and saw him zooming past, it was simply mind-blowing to observe the speed at which he ascended the hill—it appeared completely effortless," Matthews remarked.
The two riders often train together, and Matthews credits much of his current motivation and development on the bike to his experiences alongside Pogacar. Therefore, his insights into Pogacar's training are particularly valuable, and he noted that Pogacar shattered his previous record by a considerable margin, too.
“I’m not sure of the exact figures, but he beat his prior record by around 45 seconds or so... I’m not great with Strava times, but it was definitely 45 seconds faster than his earlier attempt. He had previously taken the record from Richie Porte, who was gearing up to capture the Tour de France, so you can imagine just how fast that was.”
These times also significantly exceed those achieved by Lance Armstrong during his climbs, although Matthews acknowledges that advancements in technology have dramatically changed the landscape of cycling gear since those days.
“Yes, and I suppose the modern bike technology plays a huge role in these performances, including improvements in wheels, tires, and many other factors. Plus, wind direction and various other elements come into play. However, from what I witnessed firsthand, I was just blown away—what an incredible performance!”
