“I wish I had Tadej Pogacar’s legs for just one day” – Neilson Powless in awe of Tour de France champion but stresses peloton shouldn’t give up hope

“I would place myself above the WorldTour average, but I wish that I had his legs for just one day,” he said. “I hope he doesn’t take those good legs for granted.”

Racing against Pogacar: ‘Sometimes it feels discouraging’

Powless was candid about the psychological challenge of competing against riders and teams operating at a higher gear.

“In races it can sometimes feel quite discouraging when you see certain teams being so dominant and you think: what can I even do here? Every team puts everything into trying to win, but when only a few actually manage it, that can be difficult for the long-term sustainability of our sport.”

His comments echo moments earlier in the season, when team-mate Ben Healy jokingly asked Pogacar when he planned to retire — a light-hearted question carrying a hint of exasperation. Powless understands the sentiment. Yet he argues that dominance doesn’t make cycling predictable. Far from it.‘A small chance is still a chance’: why the peloton shouldn’t give upThis spring, Powless produced one of the standout victories of the year, outfoxing three riders from Team Visma | Lease a Bike to win Dwars door Vlaanderen — a reminder of what remains possible even when racing looks lopsided on paper.

“My win at Dwars door Vlaanderen, and Mattias Skjelmose winning the Amstel Gold Race, were reminders of the unpredictability of our sport. Those wins were encouraging for the entire peloton,” Powless said. “In the spring I didn’t think I would win a Classics race, but I still managed it. Even if the absolute top favourites are there, anything can happen. A small chance is still a chance.”

Calling Pogacar the GOAT — and dreaming of beating himDespite recognising the imbalance Pogacar creates, Powless spoke with total respect — even awe — for the Slovenian superstar at UAE Team Emirates – XRG. “I would love to see him become the absolute GOAT. If he keeps going for a few more years, he will definitely get there,” he said.

And then came the dream — half-ambition, half-fantasy, entirely sincere. “It would be a privilege to stand on a podium with him one day. And who knows, maybe even beat him. My win at Dwars door Vlaanderen has given me that belief.”

For Powless, Pogacar is simultaneously an obstacle, an inspiration and the ultimate benchmark. And for a rider who proved in 2025 that even long odds can fall his way, the idea of one day toppling cycling’s most complete talent doesn’t feel quite as far-fetched as it once did.