“You Race for Second Place When You Race Against Pogacar” – Movistar’s Rising Star Praises Tadej Pogačar’s Astonishing Level
Tadej Pogačar continues to leave an undeniable mark on professional cycling, with his dominance pushing even his fiercest competitors to acknowledge his extraordinary talent. The latest to recognize his unparalleled prowess is Jon Barrenetxea, a rising star from the Movistar Team. In a recent interview, Barrenetxea admitted that when you race against Pogačar, you’re often just competing for second place.
This statement captures the growing sentiment in the cycling world — that Pogačar operates on a different level. The 25-year-old Slovenian cyclist has already established himself as one of the sport’s greatest, with victories in the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and countless other prestigious races. His combination of tactical brilliance, endurance, and sheer power makes him an almost unstoppable force on any terrain.
Barrenetxea, who joined Movistar in 2024, has been making a name for himself as one of the team’s most promising talents. Despite his ambitions and impressive performances, including his first professional win at the Circuito de Getxo, he remains realistic about the challenge of facing someone like Pogačar. “It seems like when you race against him, you’re really just fighting for second place,” Barrenetxea said. “His level is just so far above the rest, and that pushes all of us to become better, but it’s also incredibly tough.”
The upcoming 2025 season promises to be another year where cyclists will be chasing Pogačar’s wheel. With his potential participation in the 2025 Vuelta a España still under discussion, the cycling world eagerly awaits his decision. Should he choose to compete, he would have a chance to join the elite group of riders who have won all three Grand Tours — the Tour de France, Giro d’Italia, and Vuelta a España. Such an achievement would further cement his status as one of the sport’s greatest legends.
For young riders like Barrenetxea, competing against someone like Pogačar serves as both a challenge and inspiration. “Racing against Tadej is a masterclass in what it takes to be the best. Every time you line up with him, you know you’re going to have to give everything you have — and sometimes even that’s not enough,” he added.
Despite the overwhelming dominance of Pogačar, the 2025 season still holds plenty of promise for other riders. Barrenetxea has set his sights on participating in races like the Itzulia Basque Country and the Giro d’Italia, where he hopes to build on his growing reputation. “I’m excited for what’s ahead, and I know racing against the best, including Pogačar, will only make me stronger,” he said.
As the season approaches, the question remains: can anyone challenge Pogačar’s reign? Riders like Barrenetxea are determined to rise to the occasion, but they know the mountain they must climb is steep. Whether fighting for victory or simply aiming for the podium, every race against Pogačar is a test of endurance, strategy, and sheer willpower.
One thing is clear — as long as Tadej Pogačar is in the peloton, the battle for first place will always be a fight against greatness.
