Tadej Pogačar Is Winning So Much That Tour de France Fans Are Starting to Boo

Tadej Pogačar is dominating the Tour de France so completely that he’s starting to get what every great champion eventually gets: haters.

The Slovenian powered to his 24th career Tour stage victory Tuesday and all but turned the battle for yellow into a race for the podium after extending his lead over Jonas Vingegaard to 3:36.

After a brutal stage across the Massif Central, Pogačar revealed that not everyone lining the roads was cheering him on.

“There was a great atmosphere, even if there was some booing,” Pogačar said after the stage. “I told the guys that booing just gives us more power.”

Pogačar did not elaborate on where or when the booing happened, but perhaps it’s no coincidence that the boos came during latest rampage on France’s Bastille Day.

And with all of France hoping to see teenage sensation Paul Seixas take the win, the partisan crowds may have grown frustrated as Pogačar stamped his authority on the race.

It’s not the first time UAE Emirates-XRG was booed during this year’s Tour after Tim Wellens said some fans didn’t like what they saw on the Col du Tourmalet last week.

Pogačar brushed it off as part of the territory that comes with winning.

“For sure, haters are going to hate, even though in cycling it’s not as bad as other sports, where there is so much more booing and going against one player or one team,” Pogačar said.

“If they boo me on the road, they are actually booing the whole group because we are all passing all together on the road.”

‘Cycling fans are the greatest of all sports’

He insisted the overwhelming majority of fans continue to cheer every rider.

“In cycling, there is not so much booing. Ninety-nine percent of people are cheering for everybody,” he said. “When I see the young fans, they have a jersey of their favorite rider, but they cheer for everyone. Cycling fans are the greatest of all sports.”

Pogačar suggested that any jeers will only fuel his appetite for more.

“And for all the haters who are there, they just give us more boost for our teammates. It gives us more wood on the fire.”

Tour dominance can trigger negative reaction

Booing dominant Tour contenders is hardly new.

Chris Froome endured some of the sport’s ugliest fan behavior during his reign, including having a cup of urine thrown at him.

Lance Armstrong was regularly jeered and spat upon throughout his controversial era, and Eddy Merckx was even punched by an outraged fan.

Pogačar, meanwhile, has largely avoided that kind of backlash.

His attacking style, relaxed personality and easygoing demeanor have made him one of the peloton’s most popular champions despite his no-gifts dominance.

On the road, however, he continues to leave his rivals cursing under their breath.

Despite moving closer to a record-tying fifth Tour de France title, Pogačar said he has no intention of easing off the gas.

“You never know how long it lasts,” he said. “We have to be grateful for this moment and enjoy the race. We are close to home and I see a lot of Slovenian flags as well.”

Win as much as Pogačar does, and eventually someone’s going to start booing.