Imagine being an amateur cyclist, given the incredible opportunity to race against one of the greatest cyclists of all time, Tadej Pogacar. The invitation was an enticing challenge, but it came with a twist: a grueling climb up one of Slovenia's toughest mountains, Krvavec.
With an average gradient of 7.6% and sections exceeding 20%, this was no ordinary race. Hundreds of amateurs, including me, lined up at the foot of the mountain, given a generous head start of a few minutes. The question on everyone's mind: how would we fare against the four-time Tour de France champion?
Among the participants were a mix of ambitious and nervous riders. Dave Goddard, a fellow Briton, set a humble goal of avoiding humiliation, while local rider Anja Licen hoped to avoid coming in last. Even with their matching, Pogacar-endorsed bikes, Sandra Burtscher and Michael Mangeng admitted to feeling nervous and expecting a brief glimpse of the champion.
And so the race began. Pogacar, with his ruthless efficiency, picked us off one by one. For me, it was within the first 2km. I'm no stranger to cycling, but my recent rides have been limited to short trips around town or quick Strava segments. With only two weeks of preparation and a borrowed drop-bar bike, I was ill-prepared for the challenge ahead.
My friend and former sporting director, Mark Koghee, warned me of the stupidity of my endeavor. He advised me to prepare my body for the shock, suggesting I climb as much as possible in the lead-up. Another friend, Marin Medak, lent me his bike, but even he doubted my chances without an electric engine.
In the end, I managed to reach the summit, but 53 minutes after Pogacar. The real winner of the day was Andrew Feather, a 40-year-old lawyer and four-time British Hill Climbing Champion. He set a high tempo and soloed to the top, finishing ahead of Pogacar.
Feather's achievement is remarkable, as he's one of a few riders to beat Pogacar this year. He acknowledged the rarity of the experience, saying, "Pogi is up there as the best ever cyclist. That's why I did it - I can walk away saying I've shaken his hand and got the trophy from him."
After the race, Pogacar, despite his incredible season, remained humble and hungry. He conceded, "You can't win them all," but his motivation remained strong. He believes that loving what you do is key to staying motivated, and he's open to all challenges.
So, what's it like to race against the best? It's a humbling experience, to say the least. But for those few who manage to beat him, it's a once-in-a-lifetime achievement.
