Pogacar denied doping insinuations: l’m not so stupid as to risk my health!

Pogacar Dismisses Doping Accusations: ‘I’m Not Foolish Enough to Risk My Health for Ten Years of Success’

Tadej Pogacar, one of cycling’s biggest stars, has strongly denied any involvement in doping, addressing the lingering suspicions that continue to cloud the sport. Speaking the day before the prestigious Lombardy Race, Pogacar candidly responded to questions about doping and its impact on cycling, particularly in light of the sport’s controversial history.

“Cycling is a victim of its past,” Pogacar said, acknowledging that doping allegations have haunted the sport for decades. “There will always be suspicions, but I’m not so stupid as to risk my health for the sake of ten years of my career.”

The 25-year-old Slovenian rider, who has won two Tour de France titles, emphasized that he has no intention of jeopardizing his future for short-term gains. His comments reflect a broader frustration within cycling, where even the most successful riders are often viewed with skepticism due to the sport’s infamous doping scandals, especially from the late 1990s and early 2000s.

Pogacar admitted that dominance in sports, whether in cycling or other fields, tends to invite scrutiny and conspiracy theories. “**Stories of dominance are everywhere—whether it’s in sports or the business world. It takes a few years until a new talent emerges, and people begin to question success,**” he added.

Reflecting on cycling’s dark past, Pogacar pointed out that athletes once took extreme measures to improve performance, often at the expense of their own well-being. “Years ago, cyclists did everything they could to be better, even if it meant risking their health and lives. And it wasn’t just the winners; even cyclists whose names we don’t know today suffer health or psychological problems because of what they took decades ago.”

He went on to stress that cycling is dangerous enough without the added risks of doping, pointing to the frequent crashes and physical limits that athletes push themselves to during intense races. “Cycling is already a dangerous sport. We face accidents, and there are limits our bodies, especially our hearts, shouldn’t exceed. If you’re willing to risk your health for ten years of success, that’s pure stupidity. I don’t want to wake up one day sick because of choices I made as a cyclist,” Pogacar stated.

Despite his emphatic denial of doping, Pogacar acknowledged the difficulty in rebuilding trust in a sport where the shadow of past scandals still looms large. “**There’s no trust, and I don’t know what we can do to get it back,**” he admitted. “We can only race and hope that people start believing again. But we will always have a winner, and the winner will always be in the spotlight, subjected to doubt.”

Pogacar also referenced the infamous Lance Armstrong doping scandal, which tarnished cycling’s reputation globally and left a legacy of suspicion that continues to affect today’s champions. “**Maybe in a few generations people will forget about Lance,**” he said, suggesting that time, rather than any immediate efforts, might be the key to repairing cycling’s damaged image.

As one of the sport’s most talented and promising young riders, Pogacar’s refusal to engage in doping underscores his commitment to clean competition. However, his comments reflect a broader reality: cycling’s ongoing battle to distance itself from the mistakes of its past and restore trust in the eyes of both fans and the wider sporting community.

With the 2025 World Championships looming, and a course designed to suit strong climbers like Pogacar, his potential for further success is immense. Yet, even with such talent, he, like many others, faces the burden of cycling’s troubled history.