Groupama-FDJ goes to great lengths to analyse Pogačar's power data, but the results are worth it
Cycling
Follow IDL Pro Cycling on Google
Stay up to date with the best cycling news by making us a preferred source on Google.
Follow us on GoogleIt’s no longer news that Tadej Pogacar stands head and shoulders above the rest of the cycling world. For his rival riders and teams, the challenge is to close the gap. Groupama-FDJ goes to great lengths in its analysis of the Slovenian. That research has yielded some astonishing findings.
ADVERTISEMENT
Read more below the photo!
Pogačar revealed his training data in a new HBO film
Groupama FDJ continuously analyse Pogačar's performance
Fred Grappe is the performance manager for Groupama-FDJ. He is constantly analysing Pogačar, as he explains in the new HBO documentary Anatomy of a GOAT.
“I’ve compiled a list of Pogacar’s most significant performances since the 2019 Vuelta a España. That’s 73 climbs between 2019 and 2026. And it’s fascinating to understand Tadej. We’re dealing with a legend. He delivers top performances in almost every race.”- Fred Grappe, Groupama-FDJ performance manager
Looking at all those climbs makes the difference between him and his competitors Jonas Vingegaard and Remco Evenepoel—but especially the rest—very clear.
“If we take Tadej’s weight of 65 kg into account, we arrive at a power output of about 460 watts. Vingegaard produces 444 watts and Evenepoel 422 watts. And the number ten rider, 380 watts. He’s simply the best.”
The documentary also revealed interesting details about Pogacar’s Heart Rate Variability.
Read also
Read more below the photo!
Pogacar won the Tour de France for the fifth time this year.
Grappe compares Pogačar to a runner: 'A pedaling machine'
It’s not just Pogacar’s natural power that impresses Grappe. He doesn’t just look at the numbers on the display, but also at how Pogačar sits on the bike and how that power is transferred to the road.
And in that regard, the five-time Tour de France champion proves to be a truly exceptional athlete.
"When he rides, nothing moves," said the Frenchman. "He stays rooted to the ground; he's a pedaling machine. When he needs to open up a gap, he stands on the pedals, but then sits back down again. It’s fascinating to watch: his shoulders, hips, and feet are perfectly aligned. He’s just like a 100-meter sprinter—he has the same physiology. You can see it when he breaks away on the climbs.”
Read more below the photo!
Tadej Pogacar has a rock-solid team.
Grappe on Team UAE's crucial role: 'It's like he's riding behind a scooter'
We’ve certainly seen this with Pogacar in recent years. Especially on long climbs, Pogačar no longer relies on that blistering burst of speed, but instead picks up the pace while staying in the saddle.
But behind that success, of course, lies a rock-solid team. And according to Grappe, that should absolutely not be underestimated, especially when considering the two-time world champion’s ultimate individual performances.
"It perfectly illustrates the strength of the team and Pogacar. He rides three-quarters of the race behind his teammates, as if he were riding behind a scooter. The slipstream effect saves him 30 to 40%. The others are also in his slipstream, but have to fight among themselves for position. When the peloton narrows and accelerates, he has an advantage of half a zone, a difference of about 20–30 watts.”- Fred Grappe
Read also
David Bavin-HobbsChief Editor
David has been working in the sports & cycling industry for 16 years. Covering racing, business and technology, he has worked in communications for cycling companies, teams, and as a journalist. His proudest achievement is winning the first bike race he ever entered. He hasn't won a race since.
IDL-productions
Celia Gery won the European cyclocross championship while awaiting surgery: 'It'll be a new beginning'
Dutch team coach De Knegt annoyed by European Cyclocross Championships dispute: "A bit of a let down"
Glasgow set to shine as World Cup demand outstrips expectations and Mason eyes first home cyclocross race
Pogačar, Vingegaard and Van Aert went faster again in 2026... except when they didn't
Team GB dominate, China on the rise, Lavreysen the best ever? Five takeaways from the 2026 Track World Championships
Latest Cycling News
Pinarello-Q36.5 weigh up Pidcock and Ciccone as co-leaders in 2027: 'Rather have two spirited riders than one'
Pidcock's turbocharged vacation leads to struggles on the bike: 'No wonder people think cycling is hard'
Primoz Roglic's contract options continue to shrink, but a surprise new team enters the conversation
Disappointment at Lidl-Trek after Juan Ayuso's poor start: 'I don't know if it was a mental issue'
Tadej Pogačar reveals his insane training data in new HBO film: 'I think that's what works best'
Popular Cycling News
Cycling transfers 2026/2027 | Cycling transfer market still in full swing in November
Tadej Pogačar reveals his insane training data in new HBO film: 'I think that's what works best'
Sven Nys spoke with Lucinda Brand straight after European Championship drama: 'Is that enough to ultimately relegate someone'
Fears of serious injury to Alvarado, bronze medalist, after the European Cyclocross Championships
Picnic PostNL's WorldTour uncertainty has five rival teams, and Tom Pidcock, watching the UCI closely
Latest Comments
- If he finished ninth at the Tour, why didn’t he get a stage win too? I’m still trying to understand how the overall standings work.julien11-11-2026
- No ‘cross at all this winter? That’s a shame, but with his road season starting in February, I can see why he’d want a proper break. Does stepping away mean he’s done with cyclocross for good?gearguru3311-11-2026
- I like the honesty of that training post. Even the best riders feel the difference after a few weeks off, and he’s got plenty of time to build back up.samanthak11-11-2026
- Three sets of tyres in two days at the Nürburgring! The man clearly doesn’t do anything by halves. Bet a winter without cyclocross will feel strange, though.bikebuffj11-11-2026
- Fifth in the world rankings after that autumn run is some achievement. Pidcock was so aggressive at the Tour, too—hopefully he can turn a few of those near-misses into wins inpatriciaw11-11-2026
- Does XEFI’s investment mean the team will have more money to sign riders, or is it mainly a sponsorship and naming change? And is Roglič expected to race much next season?jeremya11-11-2026
- If the roster is nearly complete, why bring up Roglič at all? Feels like the article is turning a firm “no” into a transfer rumour.andrewf11-11-2026
- Wuling is no joke—105 km of climbing to 3,275 metres is brutal. Five minutes off Dyball’s record is still an incredible ride.velodromevirtuoso111-11-2026
- Roglič at TotalEnergies would be a fascinating move, but Heulot sounds pretty clear that it isn’t happening. His experience could be a massive boost for the younger riders, though.jennifer1911-11-2026
- Eight riders told to go for stages, and nobody gets one—hard to know what the plan was there. It’ll be interesting to see whether they pick a clear leader next time.bikebuffj10-11-2026