As the holiday season approaches, with families gathering for Christmas dinner, the cycling world was treated to a surprise gift from one of its brightest stars. Tadej Pogačar, the Slovenian phenom and two-time Tour de France winner, took to the training roads, delivering a jaw-dropping performance that has left his competitors quaking in their boots and wondering if they’ll even be able to catch him in the upcoming season.
In what can only be described as an early Christmas present to his fans—and a not-so-subtle warning to his rivals—Pogačar stormed up one of the most prestigious King of the Mountain (KOM) climbs in his training area, setting an unmatchable time that has already become the talk of the cycling community.
The Setting: A Christmas Prelude on the Slovenian Slopes
For many professional cyclists, December is a time for rest and recovery, a crucial period to recharge after a grueling season. The off-season is typically marked by light training rides, a few strategic intervals, and—more often than not—occasional laps on familiar roads and climbs to maintain fitness. This is not the case for Pogačar, however, who has proven time and again that the off-season is merely an opportunity to further hone his already enviable skill set.
On December 21st, with Christmas just around the corner, Pogačar decided to lace up his cycling shoes and tackle one of his most beloved training routes, a notoriously difficult climb nestled in the Slovenian Alps. The KOM (King of the Mountain) in question—while not as well-known to the public as the climbs of the Tour de France—has a special place in the hearts of local riders, who regularly push themselves to beat each other’s times. For Pogačar, this climb represents both a personal challenge and a way to keep his legs sharp for the road ahead.
The climb is a brutal, lung-busting ascent that has tested many of the best riders in the region. Spanning over a steep 10 kilometers, it offers little respite, with gradients regularly reaching up to 12%, ensuring that only the fittest riders can conquer it in impressive times. To set a new KOM here is no small feat—and yet, Pogačar made it look almost effortless.
The Performance: A KOM Time to Remember
The day started like any other winter training ride for Pogačar, who was accompanied by a select group of close friends and teammates on a relaxed session. The temperatures were chilly, with the crisp air biting through the skin, typical of the Slovenian December climate. Pogačar’s team had no idea that the performance they were about to witness would leave them speechless.
With a few other riders ahead of him, Pogačar attacked the climb as he often does—quietly, but with immense power and control. His style of climbing is legendary: a smooth rhythm, a quiet focus, and an effortless cadence. As he approached the base of the KOM, his cadence quickened, his body fluid, yet powerful—marking the beginning of what would soon be an unforgettable performance.
Pogačar’s effort over the next 30 minutes was nothing short of extraordinary. His acceleration up the climb was immediate, and within minutes, he passed his training companions who had started the climb before him, their efforts quickly swallowed by his rapid pace. With every kilometer, his lead grew, and it was clear that he wasn’t just pushing for a personal best—he was going for the KOM itself.
As he neared the summit, with just a few hundred meters remaining, Pogačar dug deep, his face displaying the strain of the effort, but his body continuing to defy the limits of what most cyclists could achieve. The roar of his teammates at the top of the climb confirmed that something special was unfolding. When he crossed the summit, Pogačar stopped the clock at an astonishing time—several seconds faster than the previous KOM holder, and even more impressively, faster than some of the top professional riders who have tackled the climb in the past.
For those who were not there in person, the numbers spoke volumes. Pogačar’s time was so remarkable that it raised eyebrows not just locally, but globally. To put it in perspective, his KOM time is faster than the likes of many WorldTour professionals who specialize in climbing and race on a global scale. His effort was, for all intents and purposes, a statement.
The Intimidation Factor: A Warning to Rivals
Pogačar’s early-season performance has sent shockwaves through the cycling world. With the 2025 season fast approaching, many of his main rivals—riders such as Jonas Vingegaard, Remco Evenepoel, and Primož Roglič—are no doubt watching from afar, and wondering what they will have to do to challenge Pogačar when it comes time to race for the grand prizes of the new year.
There’s no question that Pogačar’s KOM has shifted the mental landscape of the peloton. The Slovenian’s climbing prowess has never been in question, but his latest performance seems to imply that he’s already in top form—perhaps even better than ever—before the season has officially started.
If there’s one thing Pogačar has shown over the past few seasons, it’s that he thrives on competition, especially when it comes to pushing his own limits. His KOM on this famed climb serves as a powerful psychological tool. It’s not just about the time on the board, but the intimidation factor it brings to his rivals. By performing this feat so close to Christmas, Pogačar has reminded everyone in the cycling world that he’s always training, always improving, and always ready to strike when it matters most.
It’s worth noting that Pogačar’s dominance on the climbs is not limited to Slovenia. His victories at iconic climbs like the Col du Tourmalet, Mont Ventoux, and the Col d’Aubisque have already cemented his reputation as one of the greatest climbers of his generation. And now, with this KOM, he has set the bar higher, not just for himself, but for everyone else in the peloton.
The Strategy Behind the Performance
So why did Pogačar go for this KOM now, just before Christmas, and while most of his rivals are taking time off? The timing could be interpreted as part of his ongoing strategy to stay ahead of the pack. For a rider as focused as Pogačar, every opportunity to gain a psychological advantage is worth taking. In a sport like cycling, where the mental aspect can often be just as important as the physical, Pogačar has again demonstrated his ability to play the long game.
By setting this KOM so early, he sends a clear message to his competitors that he will not rest on his laurels. For many, the holiday season is a time of reflection and relaxation, but for Pogačar, it’s simply another opportunity to refine his edge. And that, in itself, makes him all the more dangerous heading into 2025.
A Reminder of What’s to Come
As cyclists around the world prepare for the holiday season, Tadej Pogačar’s incredible KOM performance serves as a stark reminder of the fierce competition that lies ahead. With the 2025 season just around the corner, Pogačar has already demonstrated that he is not slowing down anytime soon. His KOM effort has not only impressed fans and riders alike, but it has also set the stage for an exciting year of racing, filled with new challenges, fierce rivalries, and, no doubt, more breathtaking performances from the Slovenian superstar.
While others are sitting down to Christmas dinner, Pogačar has already gifted us all a preview of what’s to come in the new year—and if this KOM is any indication, 2025 is going to be yet another unforgettable chapter in the story of his remarkable career.
