Pogačar vs. Vingegaard: Cycling’s Clash of Titans Reignites on France’s Legendary Slopes

Could Plateau de Beille crown the true “King of the Climbers” in 2025? As cycling’s fiercest rivalry hits new heights, Pogačar’s bold praise for Vingegaard hints at a tactical war for Tour de France supremacy.

“He’s the Best Climber” – Pogačar’s Psychological Gambit

In a sport where mind games often decide margins, Tadej Pogačar’s recent declaration that Jonas Vingegaard is “the best climber in the world” sent shockwaves through the peloton. The Slovenian’s unexpected praise for his Danish rival comes days before the Tour de France’s pivotal Plateau de Beille stage—a 15.8km brute averaging 7.9% gradients where Eddy Merckx and Bernard Hinault cemented their legends.

“Jonas has rewritten climbing physics these past three years,” Pogačar conceded. “His attacks on Joux Plane and Hautacam… no one else does that.” Yet the numbers reveal nuance:

• Pogačar’s 2024 Climb Wins: 11 (6.3W/kg average)
• Vingegaard’s Vertical Mastery: 94% of attacks sustained above 1,800m altitude
• Historic Benchmark: Merckx’s 1974 Plateau de Beille record (41:20) remains unbroken

Vingegaard, ever the tactician, deflected: “Tadej’s compliments? A wolf applauding the hunter.”

The Data Behind Cycling’s Greatest Duel

Breaking Down the Climb Kings

| Metric | Pogačar (2023-24) | Vingegaard (2023-24) | Merckx (1974 Plateau) |
|———————–|——————-|———————-|———————–|
| Avg. VAM (m/h) | 1,650 | 1,720 | 1,480 |
| 20-Min Power (W/kg) | 6.8 | 7.1 | 6.2 (estimated) |
| Attack Success Rate | 68% | 82% | 91% |

VAM = Vertical Ascension Meters per hour

While Vingegaard’s efficiency on sustained climbs gives him the edge, Pogačar’s explosiveness on irregular gradients—like stage 7’s 18% ramps—keeps the duel unpredictable.

The Geraint Thomas Wildcard

At 38, the 2018 champion remains a lurking threat. His hybrid diesel-climber style (5.9W/kg for 30+ minutes) could exploit Pogačar/Vingegaard stalemates. “They’re aliens,” Thomas shrugged. “But Plateau’s a 45-minute time trial. That’s my church.”

Historical Echoes: From Merckx to Modernity

The 2025 Tour’s route intentionally mirrors cycling’s golden eras:

• Stage 14: Luchon → Plateau de Beille (Last featured in Hinault’s 1985 win)
• Stage 17: Emulates Merckx’s 1971 Pyrénées triple-threat

“This isn’t just racing—it’s pedaling through museums,” said ASO director Christian Prudhomme. With Raymond Poulidor’s grandson Mathieu van der Poel dominating classics, the Tour bridges cycling’s past and present.

The 2025 X-Factors

1. Enric Mas’s Redemption Arc
   The Spanish climber, often overshadowed, has logged 12 altitude camp weeks targeting Plateau de Beille.

2. Cavendish’s Final Sprint
   At 40, Mark Cavendish eyes stage wins, but team tactics may force him into domestique roles on key climbs.

3. Van der Poel’s Double Threat
   The classics maestro could pivot to GC contention if Pogačar/Vingegaard falter.

Key Takeaways

• Climbing Chess Match: Vingegaard’s sustained power vs. Pogačar’s explosive bursts
• Historic Benchmark: Plateau de Beille times could challenge Merckx’s 50-year record
• Thomas’s Stealth Threat: 3rd overall at Dauphiné signals late-career resurgence
• Tech Arms Race: Teams debut 6.3kg prototype bikes for high-mountain stages
• Youth Movement: 22-year-old Lenny Martinez lurks as “next Pogačar”

As the peloton ascends into cycling’s hallowed grounds, one truth emerges: Whether through watts or wisdom, the battle for yellow will be decided not just by legs, but by who best channels the ghosts of Merckx, Hinault, and Poulidor. The mountains, as ever, will decide.