In the latest episode of the podcast Watts Occurring, former teammates Geraint Thomas and Luke Rowe talked about the impact of technological progress in professional cycling and whether a rider like Tadej Pogacar could still dominate using equipment from a decade ago.
Thomas began the conversation with a question that sparked the debate: “How much difference do modern bikes make? Could Pogi win on an old bike?”
Rowe was quick to highlight how much cycling technology has evolved in recent years. “There is a huge difference though, even what you won the Tour on versus what Pogi won the Tour on. The advance that bikes have made in the past five-eight years is huge. Pogi would not win on a bike from ten years ago, even five years ago,” he said.
Thomas, however, suggested that Pogacar’s advantage over the rest of the peloton is big enough to think it would be possible for someone like him to still win despite using older bikes. “He’s got that much of a buffer these days tho. It’d make it a more level playing field,” he noted.
Rowe didn’t agree, arguing that endurance would eventually play a role. “Just the accumulation through 21 days would be enough to crack him,” he said.
Thomas then added that under those conditions, Pogacar would not beat his main rival. “No yeah I don’t think he would win the Tour against Jonas if he had an old kit like that,” he remarked.
Rowe wrapped up the exchange by reinforcing his point. “The more you think about it, there is no chance. Technology has advanced too much,” he concluded.