Scientists analyze Tadej Pogačar and calculate an extraordinary VO2 max

There is little doubt that Tadej Pogačar is one of the greatest cyclists in the world—perhaps even the greatest. The Slovenian has already won the Tour de France five times, claimed two world titles and collected an impressive number of Monument victories. Exactly how good he is remains difficult to measure, but scientists have produced a remarkable picture of his physical capabilities.

Pogačar has been breaking records on the bike for years. This is particularly evident in his climbing times, which have sometimes been recorded on Strava. He already holds KOMs on climbs including the Poggio, Monte Sante Marie and La Redoute. At this year’s Tour de France, he stunned everyone with an iconic climbing performance on Alpe d’Huez: he took around a minute and a half off Marco Pantani’s seemingly untouchable record.

When you look more closely at the details, the figures are at least as impressive. Take his watts per kilogram, for example. On Plateau de Beille in 2024, the Slovenian produced truly unprecedented power numbers, sustaining 6.9 watts per kilogram for 39 minutes and 50 seconds. There is another useful way to measure performance, however: VO₂ max.

For those unfamiliar with it, VO₂ max is the maximum amount of oxygen your body can take in and use during intense exercise. It is crucial for endurance athletes, of course. It is measured in millilitres of oxygen per kilogram of body weight. The higher your VO₂ max, the longer you can sustain a top-level performance.

For elite athletes, this figure is normally extremely high. A value of 75 ml/kg already provides an excellent foundation for top-level performances, but a rider such as Mathieu van der Poel peaks at 86 ml/kg. How does that compare with Pogačar? Three scientists made a staggering discovery in the International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance.

They analyzed the world champion’s performance on Alpe d’Huez, as well as his performances in 2024 and 2025. What was the outcome? He races with an average VO₂ max of 96 ml/kg, with peaks reaching as high as 98. Nothing like this has previously been seen in professional cycling, and those figures put him alongside the absolute best athletes in any sport.

Triathlete Kristian Blummenfelt has the highest recorded VO₂ max of all time, at 101 ml/kg. Cross-country skiers Bjørn Dæhlie and Espen Harald Bjerke also reached approximately 96 millilitres per kilogram. Of all the professional cyclists who have been measured, nobody truly comes close to Pogačar: Greg LeMond recorded a value of 92.5 ml/kg and is his nearest challenger.