Pogacar's Strong Performance at Hautacam: A Historical Perspective
Analyzing Pogacar's Hautacam Climb Performance in Historical Context
Key Points
- • Pogacar's climb to Hautacam was at 35:08, securing the yellow jersey.
- • His time, while impressive, is not the fastest; Riis holds the record at 34:40.
- • Doping controversies surround previous record holders like Riis and Indurain.
- • Pogacar's performance marked significant improvement from 2022.
Tadej Pogacar achieved a remarkable victory in Stage 12 of the Tour de France, dominating the climb to Hautacam with a time of 35 minutes and 8 seconds. This performance not only earned him the yellow jersey but also highlighted his significant improvement from a previous ascent time of 37:39 in 2022. Pogacar outperformed his closest rival, Jonas Vingegaard, who finished the climb in 37:31, indicating a decline in form from his earlier time of 36:35.
While Pogacar's climb was impressive, it does not surpass the record set by Bjarne Riis in 1996, which stands at 34 minutes and 40 seconds. Riis's record is mired in controversy, as he has since admitted to doping, raising questions about the validity of his time. Other notable historical times include Luc Leblanc at 35:20, Miguel Indurain at 35:22, and Richard Virenque at 35:29, all of whom have faced implications of doping in their careers.
The article emphasizes the complexities of comparing these records due to differing race conditions. For instance, Leblanc's time was achieved in cold, foggy weather, whereas Pogacar tackled the climb mostly in isolation, without the strategic advantages of drafting from teammates or rivals. These variables add a nuanced layer to the evaluation of climbing performances in the Tour de France.