At the Vélo d’Or awards held in Paris on Friday night, Marc Madiot, the longtime manager of Groupama-FDJ, expressed admiration for Tadej Pogacar, who clinched two trophies following an exceptional 2025 season. Pogacar’s achievements included winning his fourth Tour de France title, securing a second consecutive rainbow jersey at the World Championships in Rwanda, and taking the European road title. He also dominated the prestigious Il Lombardia for the fifth consecutive year, alongside victories in key one-day races such as Strade Bianche, the Tour of Flanders, La Flèche Wallonne, and Liège-Bastogne-Liège.
Madiot, who famously won Paris-Roubaix in 1985, described Pogacar’s participation in this iconic race as a “beautiful symbol” and something he is “hopeful” to witness. Notably, the last Tour de France champion to compete in Paris-Roubaix was Greg Lemond in 1991. While Madiot acknowledged his preference for fellow competitor Wout van Aert, whom he referred to as “the ultimate rider,” he did not shy away from praising Pogacar’s mental resilience and profound connection to the sport.
“I’m impressed by Tadej’s mental strength,” Madiot remarked in comments shared by L’Equipe on social media. “When he commits to a race, he never misses an opportunity. What I really admire about him is his sense of history. He understands his sport deeply.” Madiot emphasized the importance of respecting and supporting riders like Pogacar who engage with major events in cycling.
Addressing concerns that participating in Paris-Roubaix might jeopardize Pogacar’s chances in the Tour de France, Madiot firmly disagreed. “I think that in his life, winning Roubaix will be just as important as winning the Tour because he’s steeped in the very essence of cycling,” he stated. “For that reason, we must encourage him in this direction.”
Looking ahead, Pogacar confirmed that both Milan-San Remo and Paris-Roubaix, two races currently absent from his impressive palmares, will be part of his racing schedule for 2026. With such ambitions, Pogacar aims to expand his legacy in the sport while Madiot remains a steadfast supporter of his journey.
